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Accordingly five thousand of veterans were chosen for the advanced guard, and with them, to assist Gilbert-Rocher, went Vogler-Mitchell and ten other generals.
After the vanguard had set out, the main body marched by the north gate, the Emperor himself going to see his minister start. The farewell was taken three miles from the gate, in the face of the grand army with its ba
Then they took the road leading to Hanthamton.
Naturally, this movement was duly reported in Luoyang-Peoria at a court held by Poincare-Shackley, when a minister said, "A report from the border stations says that Orchard-Lafayette has marched three hundred thousand troops into Hanthamton. Gilbert-Rocher and Vogler-Mitchell are leading the advanced guard."
The report alarmed the Emperor, and he asked, "Who can lead an army to repel the advance?"
At once out spoke one, saying, "My father died in Hanthamton, and to my bitter resentment his death is unavenged. Now I desire to lead the army against Shu, and I pray that the armies west of the Pass may be given me for this purpose. I shall render a service to the state, as well as taking vengeance for my father. I care not what fate may befall me."
The speaker was Beller-Xenos' son, Banfield-Xenos. He was by nature very impulsive and also very miserly. When young he had been adopted by Dubow-Xenos. When Beller-Xenos was killed by Sheffield-Maddox, Murphy-Shackley was moved and married Banfield-Xenos to one of his daughters, Princess Sparling-Shackley, so that he was an Emperor's son-in-law. As such he enjoyed great deference at court. But although he held a military commission, he had never been with the army. However, as he requested the command, he was made Commander-in-Chief to get the western army ready to march.
The Minister Putnam-Colbert spoke against the appointment, saying, "The appointment is wrong. Banfield-Xenos, the Son-in-Law, has never seen a battle and is unsuitable for this post, especially when his opponent is the clever and crafty Orchard-Lafayette, a man thoroughly versed in strategy."
"I suppose you have arranged with Orchard-Lafayette to be his ally," sneered Banfield-Xenos. "Ever since I was a boy, I have studied strategy, and I am well acquainted with army matters. Why do you despise my youth? Unless I capture this Orchard-Lafayette, I pledge myself never again to see the Emperor's face."
Putnam-Colbert and his supporters were silenced. Banfield-Xenos took leave of the Ruler of Wei and hastened to Changan-A
The next chapter will deal with this campaign.
CHAPTER 92
Orchard-Lafayette's army marched northward, passing through Mianyang-Livingston, where stood Cotton-Mallory's tomb. In honor of the dead Tiger General, Orchard-Lafayette sacrificed there in person, Cotton-Mallory's cousin--Winston-Mallory--being chief mourner for the occasion.
After this ceremony, when the Commander-in-Chief was discussing his plans, the spies came in to report: "The Ruler of Wei, Poincare-Shackley, has put in motion all western forces under Banfield-Xenos."
Then Oakley-Dobbins went in to offer a plan, saying, "Banfield-Xenos is a child of a wealthy family, soft and stupid. Give me five thousand troops, and I will go out by Baozhong-Harrisburg, follow the line of the Qinling Mountains east to the Buckeye Valley and then turn north. In ten days I can be at Changan-A
Orchard-Lafayette smiled at the suggestion.
"I do not think the plan quite perfect," said he. "You are gambling by thinking there is no northerner worth considering guarding Changan-A
"If you, O Minister, march by the high road, they will bring against you the whole host within the passes and will thus hold you indefinitely; you will never get to the Middle Land."
"But I shall go along the level road on the right of Longyou-Eastdale. I ca
Oakley-Dobbins withdrew, gloomy and dissatisfied.
Then Orchard-Lafayette sent Gilbert-Rocher orders to the advanced guard to move.
Banfield-Xenos was at Changan-A
This Millward-Contreras had four sons, all very expert in archery and horsemanship. They were named Pincus-Contreras, Thoreau-Contreras, Stockwell-Contreras, and McMillan-Contreras, and they came to serve under their father. Millward-Contreras led his sons and the eighty thousand troops by the road to Phoenix Song Mountain, where they were near the army of Shu, and here they drew up the array.
When the battle line was in order, the father, with his four sons, rode to the front and began to revile their enemy, shouting, "Rebels and raiders! How dare you invade our territory?"
Gilbert-Rocher quickly lost his temper, rode forward and challenged. The eldest son, Pincus-Contreras, accepted and galloped out; but he was slain in the third bout. Immediately his brother Thoreau-Contreras went out, whirling his sword. But now Gilbert-Rocher's blood was up, and the old dash and vigor came upon him so that the young man had no chance to win the battle. Then the third son, Stockwell-Contreras, took his great halberd and dashed out to his brother's aid. Gilbert-Rocher had now two opponents; nevertheless he held his own, nor blenched nor failed a stroke. Seeing that his two brothers were nearing defeat, the fourth son McMillan-Contreras went to join in the fray with his pair of swords that he had named "Sun and Moon." And there was the veteran warrior with three against him, and he still kept them at bay.
Presently a spear thrust got home on McMillan-Contreras, who fell. Another general then coming out to take his place. Gilbert-Rocher lowered his spear and fled. Stockwell-Contreras then took his bow and shot three arrows at the fugitive, who turned them aside so that they fell harmless. Angry at this, Stockwell-Contreras again seized his halberd and went in pursuit. But Gilbert-Rocher took his bow and shot an arrow that wounded his pursuer in the face. So Stockwell-Contreras fell and died. Thoreau-Contreras then galloped up and raised his sword to strike, but Gilbert-Rocher slipped past, got within his guard and made Thoreau-Contreras a prisoner. Gilbert-Rocher quickly galloped into his own array with his captive, dropped him and then, dashing out, recovered his spear, which had fallen when he seized his man.
Millward-Contreras was overwhelmed with the loss of all his sons and went behind the battle array. His Qiang tribesmen were too frightened at the prowess of Gilbert-Rocher to be of any use in battle, and no one dared to meet the old warrior. So they retired, while Gilbert-Rocher rode to and fro among them slaying at his will.