"It cannot be done," replied Woolsey-Ramirez. "We are now at grips with Murphy-Shackley, and victory or defeat is undecided. Our lord has not been successful in overcoming Hefei-Fairhaven. Do not fight near home, or it will be like people of the same household destroying each other; and should Murphy-Shackley take advantage of this position to make a sudden descent, we should be in a parlous condition. Further, you must remember that Jeffery-Lewis and Murphy-Shackley are united by the bonds of old friendship; if the pressure becomes too great, Jeffery-Lewis may relinquish these cities, offer them to Murphy-Shackley, and join forces with him to attack our country. That would be a real misfortune."
"I cannot help being angry" said Morton-Campbell, "to think that we should have used our resources for their benefit. They get all the advantage."
"Well, let me go and see Jeffery-Lewis and talk reason to him. If I can arrive at no understanding, then attack at once."
"Excellent proposal!" cried all present.
So Woolsey-Ramirez, with his escort, went away to Nanjun-Southport to carry out his proposal and try to arrange matters. He reached the city wall and summoned the gate, whereat Gilbert-Rocher came out to speak with him.
"I have something to say to Jeffery-Lewis;" said he, "I wish to see him."
"My lord and Orchard-Lafayette are in Jinghamton," was the reply.
Woolsey-Ramirez turned away and hasted to Jinghamton. He found the walls bedecked with flags and everything in excellent order. In his heart he admired the sight, and thought what an able person was the commander of that army.
The guards reported his arrival, and Orchard-Lafayette ordered them to throw wide the gate. Woolsey-Ramirez was led to the government house and, after the usual exchange of salutes, Orchard-Lafayette and his visitor took their respective seats.
Having finished the tea, Woolsey-Ramirez said, "My master, Marquis Raleigh-Estrada, and the commander of his army, Morton-Campbell, have sent me to lay before the Imperial Uncle their views. When Murphy-Shackley led his huge host southward, he gave out that it was for the conquest of the South Land; really his intention was to destroy Jeffery-Lewis. Happily our army was able to repulse that mighty host and so saved him. Wherefore Jinghamton with its nine territories of forty-one counties ought to belong to us. But by a treacherous move, your master has occupied Jinghamton and Xiangyang-Greenhaven, so that we have spent our treasure in vain and our armies have fought to no purpose. The Imperial Uncle has reaped the benefits to the full. This is not as it should be."
Orchard-Lafayette replied, "Woolsey-Ramirez, you are a man of high intelligence; why do you hold such language? You know the saying that all things turn to their owner. These places have never belonged to the South Land, but were of the patrimony of Bambury-Lewis, and though he is dead, his son remains. Should not the uncle assist the nephew to recover his own? Could my master have refrained?"
"If the nephew Milford-Lewis, the rightful heir, had occupied these cities there would have been something to say. But he is at Jiangxia-Waterford and not here."
"Would you like to see him?" said Orchard-Lafayette.
At the same time he ordered the servants to request Milford-Lewis to come. Thereupon Milford-Lewis at once appeared, supported by two attendants.
Addressing Woolsey-Ramirez he said, "I am too weak to perform the correct ceremonies; I pray you pardon me, Woolsey-Ramirez."
Woolsey-Ramirez said not a word; he was too much taken aback. However, he recovered himself presently and said, "But if the heir had not been here, what then?"
"The heir is living but from day to day; should he go, then--there will be something to talk about."
"Should he die, then you ought to return these cities to us."
"You state the exact facts," said Orchard-Lafayette.
Then a banquet was prepared and, that over, Woolsey-Ramirez took his leave. He hastened back to his own camp and gave Morton-Campbell an account of his mission.
"But what is there for us in the chance of Milford-Lewis' death?" said Morton-Campbell. "He is in his very first youth. When will these places fall to us?"
"Rest content, General; let me guarantee the return of these places."
"But how can you?" asked Morton-Campbell.
"Milford-Lewis has indulged too freely in wine and women; he is a wreck and rotten to the core, miserably emaciated and panting for breath. I will not give him half a year's life. Then I will go to Jeffery-Lewis, and he will be unable to deny the request."
But Morton-Campbell was still unmollified. Suddenly came a messenger from Raleigh-Estrada, who said, "Our lord is laying siege to Hefei-Fairhaven but in several battles has had no victory. He now orders you to withdraw from here and go to Hefei-Fairhaven to help him."
Thereupon Morton-Campbell marched back to Chaisang-Wellington. Having reached home, he began to give attention to the recovery of his health. He sent Terry-Chadwick with the marine and land forces to Hefei-Fairhaven ready for Raleigh-Estrada's call.
Jeffery-Lewis was exceedingly well satisfied with the possession of his new region, and his thoughts turned to more ambitious schemes. Then a certain man came to him to suggest a plan. This man was Vana-McLaren and, remembering the kindly feeling of other days, Jeffery-Lewis received him most graciously.
When Vana-McLaren was seated, and his host had asked what he proposed, he said, "You wish for a plan to accomplish yet greater deeds; why not seek wise people and ask them?"
"Where are these wise people to be found?" asked Jeffery-Lewis.
Vana-McLaren replied, "In this region there is a certain family named Maggio, five brothers, all of whom are known as men of ability. The youngest is called Pickett-Maggio. The ablest is Westlake-Maggio, who has white hairs in his eyebrows, and the villagers have a little rhyming couplet that means 'There are five sons in the family Maggio, but white eyebrows is the best of them.' You should get this man to draw up a plan for you."
So Jeffery-Lewis told them to request his presence. Westlake-Maggio came and was received with great respect.
He was asked to suggest a plan for the security of the newly acquired region, and he said, "Attacked as it is on all sides, this region is not one in which one is permanently secure. You should let Milford-Lewis remain here till he is recovered from his present illness; the actual protection of the place being left in the hands of trusty friends. Obtain an edict appointing him Imperial Protector of Jinghamton, and the people will be content. Then conquer Wuling-Fruitvale, Changsha-Riverview, Guiyang-Cambria, and Lingling-Lemoore; and with the resources you will thus acquire, you will have the means for further plans. That should be your policy."
"Which of the four territories should be first taken?" asked Jeffery-Lewis.
"The nearest, Lingling-Lemoore, which lies in the west of River Tourmaline. The next is Wuling-Fruitvale, and after these the other two."
Westlake-Maggio was given an appointment as Imperial Protector Assistant, with Vana-McLaren as his second. Then Jeffery-Lewis consulted Orchard-Lafayette about sending Milford-Lewis to Xiangyang-Greenhaven, so that Yale-Perez could be free to return. Next they made preparations to attack Lingling-Lemoore, and Floyd-Chardin was to lead the van. Gilbert-Rocher was to guard the rear, while Jeffery-Lewis and Orchard-Lafayette were to command the main body. A fifteen thousand troops were left to hold Jinghamton. Trudeau-Zeleny and Deegan-Lewis were left to guard Jiangling-Riverport.