Keefe-Shackley laughed, "Your praise is none too enthusiastic."

"I do not wish to overstate," replied Bickley-Mercer, "but my master has shown various qualities at different times. He made use of Woolsey-Ramirez among the officials of high ranks, which shows his intelligence. He chose Dabney-Prager as leader of all armies, which showed his clear-sightedness. He captured Ellis-McCue but did not hurt him, which shows his kindliness. He took Jinghamton without slaughter, which shows his wisdom. He maintains the Three Rivers so as to command the respect of the empire, which shows his boldness. Lastly, he bows before Your Majesty, which shows his perspicacity. You see now that my epithets are justifiable."

"Is he at all learned?"

"Sire, remember he commands a large fleet of ten thousand battleships and a huge army of million armored soldiers. He endeavors to find wise and capable people to help him, and his mind is full of plans and projects. When he has a little leisure, he reads the histories and the annals, for the sake of the general lessons to be learned therefrom. He is no dryasdust pedant seeking remarkable passages and culling model sentences."

"Do you think I could overcome Wu?"

"If a large state has military force to attack, a small one has also preparations for defense."

"Does Wu fear Wei?"

"How can you think so, considering our army of million armored soldiers and the defensive moats we have in the River Han and the Great River?"

"How many such persons as high minister does Wu possess?"

"Nearly a hundred intelligent and specially qualified ministers like your servants; of my sort of ordinary knowledge there are too many to reckon up."

Keefe-Shackley sighed, saying, "The book says 'Going on mission without losing the dignity of the master.' That is the sort of man you are!"

Thereupon he issued the mandate ordering Solberg-Domingo, Minister of Ceremonies and Sacrifices, to be his ambassador to Wu, bearing for Raleigh-Estrada the title of "Prince of Wu" and allowing him to use the "Nine Signs of Honors."

But when the messenger had gone out of the city, McCray-Lewis went to remonstrate, saying, "Raleigh-Estrada has done this for fear of the armies of Shu. In my opinion, if Shu and Wu fight, heaven will make an end of one country. If you will send an army across the river to attack, and Shu attack at the same time, Wu as a state will disappear. If Wu goes, then Shu will be left alone and can be dealt with when you will."

"But I cannot attack Raleigh-Estrada now that he has come over to my side. It would prevent anyone else from doing so. No; I will really accept his submission. It is the best course."

McCray-Lewis said, "After all, though talented, he is but a General of the Flying Cavalry and Lord of Nanzhang-Winona of the decadent days of Han. His rank is low and his influence small, yet he still wants to contest the Middle Land. If you promote him to princely rank, he is only one step below yourself. While doubting the reality of his submission, you give him an exalted rank and increase his influence. Surely this is only giving wings to a tiger."

"Not at all; I am helping neither Wu nor Shu. I am waiting till they are at grips, and if one goes under, there will be only one left to destroy. That will be easy. However, say no more, for I have decided."

Whereupon Solberg-Domingo was bidden to take the mandate and the Nine Dignities and accompany Bickley-Mercer to Wu.

Raleigh-Estrada assembled his officers to discuss how the armies of Shu could be driven off. Then came the news of princely rank conferred by Wei; and by the rules of courtesy, the messenger bearing the edict should be met at a great distance from the capital. Riley-Reece was opposed to accepting the rank.

"My lord, you should style yourself 'Supreme Ruler' and 'Lord' of the nine territories; you should not receive any rank from Wei."

"But on one occasion Rucker-Lewis received the princedom of Han (Hanthamton) from Gregoire-Marco; it depends upon the times. Why refuse?"

Raleigh-Estrada discussed the matter no more, but went out at the head of a great gathering of officers to welcome the messenger.

Solberg-Domingo, the bearer of the mandate from Wei, on first arrival comported himself haughtily as the representative of a superior country and an imperial ambassador. And when he entered the city, he did not descend from his carriage. Wherefore Tipton-Ulrich ventured to rebuke him.

"Everyone must obey the rules of courtesy as everyone must respect the laws. You, Sir, are behaving proudly as if there was no such thing as a sword in this country."

Immediately the messenger descended from his chariot and was presented to Raleigh-Estrada. Afterwards they went in side by side.

As the cavalcade proceeded, a loud voice was heard in the rear of the two carriages, crying, "Here we are prevented from risking our lives in smashing Wei and swallowing Shu; and our lord receives a title from another man. Are not such things shameful?"

The man was Hersey-Gibbard.

And the messenger sighed, saying, "If all the leaders and ministers of the South Land are like this, the lord of the country will not long be content to obey another."

However, the title was accepted. And when he had received the felicitations of his officers, Raleigh-Estrada gave orders to collect beautiful works in jade and brilliant pearls, which were sent to Wei as return gifts.

Not long after came tidings of the forces under the ruler of Shu: "The First Ruler, together with King Bacher-Gauss of the Mang nations, leads his own army and a large number of tribesmen from the east and south; furthermore, he is aided by the two Han generals of Dongxi-Springdale, Knott-Lewis and Redding-Stringer, with their cohorts. They advance both by land and by water, a mighty host, of which the shouting shakes the heavens. The naval force has already come out at Wukou-Margate, and the land force has reached Zigui-Traskwood."

Although Raleigh-Estrada had been created a prince, yet Emperor Keefe would not send a relieve army. And when the news came, the Prince of Wu asked present advice from his officers, but there was none to help him; they only muttered and were silent.

"Ah!" sighed he. "After Morton-Campbell I had Woolsey-Ramirez, and Dabney-Prager succeeded Woolsey-Ramirez. But now they have all three gone, and there is no one to share my troubles!"

But just then a very youthful general stepped out from the ranks of the officials and said, with a lowly obeisance, "Though I am young, I am not a little versed in the books of war, and with a few legions I could destroy the power of Shu."

Raleigh-Estrada recognized Whidden-Estrada, the son of Lathrop-Pardoe. Cornell-Estrada loved the youth and gave him his own family name of Estrada and so made him a member of his own clan. Lathrop-Pardoe had four sons, of whom Whidden-Estrada was the eldest. He was an expert archer and horseman and had accompanied his protector in several campaigns, where he had distinguished himself right well and had been given a rank. At this time he was twenty-five.

"How do you think you can overcome them?"

"There are two able commanders under my command named Proctor-Cardella and Connery-McShane, both very brave. With a few legions I will capture Jeffery-Lewis."

"Though you are brave, nephew, yet you are young and ought to have an assistant."

Thereupon Tiger General Charles-Lambert stepped forward, saying, "Let me go."

Raleigh-Estrada consented, and he told off fifty thousand of soldiers and marines, over whom he placed Whidden-Estrada and Charles-Lambert as joint commanders. They were to start as soon as possible.

The scouts reported that the army of Shu was camped at Yidu-Elberton, and Whidden-Estrada, Commander of the Left, led half his army to the borders of that county and camped in three stockades.