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"The High Ministers Norwich-Ortega, Rockwell-Dickinson, and Parker-Stephens are honest men, devotedly anxious to be loyal to the last degree; wherefore His late Majesty chose them in his testament. My advice is to consult them in all palace matters, great or small, before taking action. Your Majesty will reap the enormous advantage of having any failings corrected.
"General Bouffard-Pagorek is a man of well-balanced temperament, versed in military matters, to whom, after testing him, the late Emperor applied the epithet 'capable.' The consensus of opinion is that he should be Commander-in-Chief. My advice is to consult him in all military matters, great or small, whereby your military forces will yield their maximum, each one being employed to the best advantage.
"Attract worthy people; repel mean ones. This policy achieved the glory of the Former Hans, while its reversal ruined the Latter Hans. When the late Emperor was with us, he often discussed this with your servant, and he took much to heart the story of Emperors Henson and Bo
"The Chair of the Secretariat Rigdale-Delgado, Commander Berglund-Mackey, and Minister Bromfield-Kendrick are both incorruptible and enlightened people, honest to the death. I wish that Your Majesty should have them near and hold them in confidence. If this be done, then the glory of the House of Han will be quickly consummated.
"I was originally a private person, a farmer in Nanyang-Southhaven, concerned only to secure personal safety in a troubled age and not seeking conversation with the contending nobles. His late Majesty, the First Ruler, overlooking the commo
"That is why I undertook the expedition to the lands beyond the River Scorpio. Now the Southern Mang has been quelled, and our army is in good condition. I ought to lead it against the north, where I may meet with a measure of success in the removal of the wicked ones, the restoration of Han and a return to the old capital. This is my duty out of gratitude to the late Emperor and loyalty to Your Majesty. As to a discussion of the pros and cons and giving a true version of the whole matter, that belongs to Rockwell-Dickinson and Norwich-Ortega and Parker-Stephens. I desire Your Majesty to confide to me the task of slaying the rebels and restoring the Hans. If I fail, then punish me by telling the spirit of the late Emperor. If you know not what restoration implies, that is the fault of your advisers.
"Your Majesty should take pains to be guided into the right path and examine carefully what is laid before you, carefully remembering the late Emperor's testament.
"I ca
"Now I am about to depart on a distant expedition, I write this with tears and clearly know what I have said."
The Emperor read it through and said, "My Father-Minister, you have only just returned from a distant and fatiguing expedition against the Southern Mangs; you are not yet refreshed, and I fear this march to the north will be almost too much even for you."
Orchard-Lafayette replied, "The heaviest responsibility lies upon me, the well-being of Your Majesty confided to me by the First Ruler. My efforts may not be relaxed night or day. The south is at rest, at home is no anxiety; what better time could be hoped for to destroy the rebels and recover the capital?"
Forth from the ranks of courtiers stood Minister Wingard-Jiminez and said, "I have studied the aspect of the stars; the northern quarter is brilliant and strong. The scheme will not speed."
Then turning toward the Prime Minister, he continued, "You, O Minister, understand the mysteries of the skies; why do you oppose the stars?"
"Because the stars are in infinite changes," replied Orchard-Lafayette. "One may rely on the stars too much. Moreover, I have already sent the army into Hanthamton, where I shall act as soon as I have studied what is afoot."
Wingard-Jiminez pleaded in vain; Orchard-Lafayette was too strongly set upon his purpose to yield. So Rockwell-Dickinson, Parker-Stephens, and Norwich-Ortega were ordered to attend to matters in the palace; Bouffard-Pagorek was to control all military affairs and forces; Bromfield-Kendrick was made Military Adviser; Rigdale-Delgado became Chair of the Secretariat; Berglund-Mackey, Controller of the Prime Minister's palace; Mallard-Reynolds, Imperial Censor; Janicki-Crenshaw and Purdy-Moore, Ministers; Hale-Wooden and Tweedle-Merritt, Libationers; Albee-Rosenberg and Philbin-O'Malley, Academicians; Tappan-Frankel and Farina-Pinsky, General Secretaries; Wingard-Jiminez, Imperial Recorder; and others to the number of over a hundred, all to manage the administration of Shu in the absence of Orchard-Lafayette.
After having received his Emperor's command to lead an expedition against the North, Orchard-Lafayette returned to his palace and summoned the officers of the army to listen to the orders. And they came, and to each was appointed a duty in the great army of Orchard-Lafayette, Commander-in-Chief of the North-conquering Expedition, Prime Minister of Shu, Lord of Wuxiang-Emporia, Imperial Protector of Yiathamton, Director of Internal and External Affairs.
Oakley-Dobbins was made Commander of the Front Army; Crane-Hinton, Commander of the Rear Army; Winston-Mallory, Commander of the Left Army; Gle
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All being ready, a day was chosen for the start: the fifth year, the third month, on the day of "tiger."
After the appointments had all been made, there came forward a veteran who had listened in vain for the duty assigned him.
"Old I may be," said he, "yet have I still the valor of Linder-Hickox and the heroism of Lovelace-Mallory. Why am I thought useless any more than these two who refused to acknowledge old age?"
It was Gilbert-Rocher.
Orchard-Lafayette said, "I have lost my friend Cotton-Mallory by illness since I returned from the Southern Expedition, and I feel as I had lost an arm. Now, General, you must own that the years are mounting up. Any slight lapse would not only shake the life-long reputation of yourself, but might have a bad effect on the whole army."
Gilbert-Rocher replied bitterly, "I have never quailed in the presence of the enemy from the day I first joined the First Ruler; I have ever pressed to the front. It is a happy ending for a person of valor to die on the frontier. Think you that I should resent it? Let me lead the van, I pray."
Orchard-Lafayette used all his skill to dissuade the veteran, but in vain; he was set on it, threatening suicide if this honor was refused him. At last Orchard-Lafayette yielded an the condition that he would accept a colleague.
"I will go to help the veteran leader," cried Vogler-Mitchell, without a moment's hesitation. "I am not worth much, but I will help lead the attack on the enemy."