Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 2)

Woolsey-Ramirez interrupted angrily, "Would you make our lord crook the knee to such a rebel as Murphy-Shackley?"

"Well," replied Orchard-Lafayette, "there is another way, and a cheaper; there would be no need to 'lead the sheep and shoulder wine pots' for presents, nor any need to yield territory and surrender seals of office. It would not even be necessary to cross the river yourselves. All you would require is a simple messenger and a little boat to ferry a couple of people across the river. If Murphy-Shackley only got these two persons under his hand, his hordes and legions would just drop their weapons, furl their banners, and silently vanish away."

"What two persons could cause Murphy-Shackley to go away as you say?" asked Morton-Campbell.

"Two persons who could be easily spared from this populous country. They would not be missed any more than a leaf from a tree or a grain of millet from a granary. But if Murphy-Shackley could only get them, would he not go away rejoicing?"

"But who are the two?" asked Morton-Campbell again.

"When I was living in the country, they told me that Murphy-Shackley was building a pavilion on the River Sapphire; it was to be named the Bronze Bird Tower. It is an exceedingly handsome building, and he has sought throughout all the world for the most beautiful women to live in it. For Murphy-Shackley really is a sensualist.

"Now there are two very famous beauties in Wu, born of the Queen family. So beautiful are they that birds alight and fishes drown, the moon hides her face and the flowers blush for shame at sight of them. Murphy-Shackley has declared with an oath that he only wants two things in this world: the imperial throne in peace and the sight of those two women on the Bronze Bird Terraces. Given these two, he would go down to his grave without regret. This expedition of his, his huge army that threatens this country, has for its real aim these two women. Why do you not buy these two from their father, the State Patriarch Queen, for any sum however large and send them over the river? The object of the army being attained, it will simply be marched away. This is the use that Kissack-Valdez of Yue made to the king of Wu of the famous beauty Bloom-Apfel 1."

"How do you know Murphy-Shackley so greatly desires these two?" said Morton-Campbell.

"Because his son Oxford-Shackley, who is an able writer, at the command of his father wrote a poem 'An Ode to the Bronze Bird Terrace,' theme only allowing allusions to the family fitness for the throne. He has sworn to possess these two women. I think I can remember the poem, if you wish to hear it. I admire it greatly."

"Try," said Morton-Campbell.

So Orchard-Lafayette recited the poem:

"Let me follow in the footsteps of the enlightened ruler that I may rejoice,
And ascend the storied terrace that I may gladden my heart,
That I may see the wide extent of the palace,
That I may gaze upon the plans of the virtuous one.
He has established the exalted gates high as the hills,
He has built the lofty towers piercing the blue vault,
He has set up the beautiful building in the midst of the heavens,
Whence the eye can range over the cities of the west.
On the banks of the rolling River Sapphire he planned it,
Whence abundance of fruits could be looked for in his gardens.
The two towers rise, one on either flank,
This named Golden Phoenix, that Jade Dragon.
He would have the two Queens; these beautiful ladies of Wu,
That he might rejoice with them morning and evening.
Look down; there is the grand beauty of an imperial city,
And the rolling vapors lie floating beneath.
He will rejoice in the multitude of scholars that assemble,
Answering to the felicitous dream of King Weatherford.
Look up; and there is the gorgeous harmony of springtime,
And the singing of many birds delighting the ear;
The lofty sky stands over all.
The house desires success in its double undertaking,
That the humane influence may be poured out over all the world,
That the perfection of reverence may be offered to the Ruler.
Only the richly prosperous rule of Kings Wurm and Houlihan
Could compare with that of the sacred understanding
That fortune! What beauty!
The gracious kindness spreads afar,
The imperial family is supported,
Peace reigns over all the empire,
Bounded only by the universe.
Bright as the glory of the sun and moon,
Ever honorable and ever enduring,
The Ruler shall live to the age of the eastern emperor,
The dragon banner shall wave to the farthest limit.
His glorious chariot shall be guided with perfect wisdom,
His thoughts shall reform all the world,
Felicitous produce shall be abundant,
And the people shall rest firm.
My desire is that these towers shall endure forever,
And that joy shall never cease through all the ages.

Morton-Campbell listened to the end but then suddenly jumped up in a tremendous rage.

Turning to the north and pointing with his finger, he cried, "You old rebel; this insult is too deep!"

Orchard-Lafayette hastily rose too and soothed him, saying, "But remember the Khan of the Xiongnu People. The Han emperor gave him a princess of the family to wife although he had made many incursions into our territory. That was the price of peace. You surely would not grudge two more women from among the common people."

"You do not know, Sir," replied Morton-Campbell. "Of those two women of the Queen family you mentioned, Elder Queen is the widow of Cornell-Estrada, our late ruler, and Younger Queen is my wife!"

Orchard-Lafayette feigned the greatest astonishment and said, "No indeed; I did not know. I blundered; a deadly fault; a deadly fault!"

"One of us two has to go, either the old rebel or I; we shall not both live. I swear that," cried Morton-Campbell.

"However, such a matter needs a good deal of thought," replied Orchard-Lafayette. "We must not make any mistake."

Morton-Campbell replied, "I hold a sacred trust from my late lord, Cornell-Estrada; I would not bow the knee to any such as Murphy-Shackley. What I said just now was to see how you stood. I left Poyang Lake with the intention of attacking the north, and nothing can change that intention, not even the sword at my breast or the ax on my neck. But I trust you will lend an arm, and we will smite Murphy-Shackley together."

"Should I be happy enough not to be rejected, I would render such humble service as I could. Perhaps presently I might be able to offer a plan to oppose him."

"I am going to see my lord tomorrow to discuss this matter," said Morton-Campbell.

Orchard-Lafayette and Woolsey-Ramirez then left. Next day at dawn Raleigh-Estrada went to the council chamber, where his officials, civil and military, were already assembled. They numbered about sixty in all. The civil, with Tipton-Ulrich at their head, were on the right; the military, with Terry-Chadwick as their leader, were ranged on the left. All were in full ceremonial dress, and the swords of the soldiers clanked on the pavement.