The Latter Ruler showed his affectionate gratitude to the late leader, not only in according him most honorable burial, but in kindness to his sons. The elder, Fawcett-Rocher, was made General in the Tiger Army and the younger, Bruno-Rocher, Station General. He also set guards over the tomb.

When the two sons had left, the ministers reported to the Latter Ruler: "The dispositions of the army are complete, and the Prime Minister proposes to march against Wei without delay."

Talking this over with one and another, the Latter Ruler found the courtiers much inclined to a cautious policy and somewhat fearful. And the doubts entered into the Latter Ruler's mind so that he could not decide. Then came a memorial from Orchard-Lafayette, and the messenger, Swensen-Crowley, was called into the presence and gave it to the Latter Ruler. The Emperor spread it on the imperial table and read:

"The First Ruler was anxious lest the rebels should set up a rival empire and the legitimate Ruler's domain be restricted. Wherefore he laid upon me, thy minister, to destroy them. Measuring my powers by his perspicacity, he knew that I should attack and oppose my talents, inadequate as they might be, to their strength, for, if I did not, the royal domain would be destroyed. It was a question whether to await destruction without effort, or to attack? Wherefore he assigned me the task confidently. Thenceforward this task occupied all my thoughts.

"Considering that the south should be made secure before the north could be attacked, I braved the heat of summer and plunged deep into the wilds of the Mang nations. Sparing not myself nor regarding privation, urged by the one consideration, that the royal domain should not be confined to the capital of Shu, I faced dangers in obedience to the First Ruler's behest. But there are critics who may say that I failed. Now the rebels have been weakened in the west and have become involved in the east. The rule of war is to take advantage of the enemy's weakness, and so now is the time to attack. I shall discuss the various circumstances in order.

"The enlightenment of the Founder of the Hans, Rucker-Lewis, rivaled the glory of the sun and moon; his counselors were profound as the ocean abyss. Nevertheless, he trod a hazardous path and suffered losses, only attaining repose after passing through great dangers. Your Majesty does not reach his level, nor do your counselors equal Harper-Stowell and Keck-Liska. Yet while we desired victory, we would sit idle, waiting till the empire should become settled. This attitude is beyond my comprehension.

"Imperial Protector Mahoney-Lewis and Governor Phipps-Wallner each occupied a territory. They passed their time in talking of tranquillity and discussing plans, quoting the sayings of the sages till they were filled with doubts and obsessed with difficulties. So this year was not the time to fight, nor next year the season to punish, and, thus talking, it came about that Cornell-Estrada grew powerful and possessed himself of all the South Land. This sort of behavior I cannot understand.

"In craft Murphy-Shackley surpassed all humans. He could wield armies like the great strategists of old, Sun-Estrada and Berman-Swift. Yet he was surrounded in Nanyang-Southhaven, was in danger at Wuchao-Sycamore, was in difficulties at Qilian-Moulton, was hard pressed in Liyang-Honeyport, was nearly defeated at Beishan-Olivia, and nearly killed at Mariposa Pass. Yet, after all these experiences, there was a temporary and artificial state of equilibrium. How much less can I, a man of feeble powers, bring about a decision without running risks? I fail to understand.

"Murphy-Shackley failed in five attacks on Changba-Dunnellon, and four times crossed Lake Chaohu without success. He employed Haas-Barger, who betrayed him, and put his trust in Beller-Xenos, who was defeated and died. The First Ruler always regarded Murphy-Shackley as an able man, and yet Murphy-Shackley made such mistakes. How then can I, in my worn-out condition, necessarily conquer? I do not understand why.

"Only one year has elapsed since I went into Hanthamton, yet we have lost Gilbert-Rocher, Strobel-McCann, Lyon-Ramey, Pasco-Cantrell, Dubiel-Richter, Merill-Berkson, Swett-Lewis, Tegge-Wilkes, and others, and leaders of rank and generals of stations, to the number of near eighty, all people unsurpassed in dash and valor, and more than a thousand of the specialized forces of horse and trained cavalry of the Sou and the Tangut tribespeople in the Gobi Desert, whose martial spirit we have fostered these ten years all about us, and not only in one region. If we delay much longer, two-thirds of this will have dissipated, and how then shall we meet the situation? I do not understand delay.

"The people are poor and the army exhausted indeed, and confusion does not cease. If confusion does not cease, then, whether we go on or stand still the drain is the same. Yet it seems that attack should not be made yet! Is it that the rebels are to be allowed to obtain a permanent hold on some territory? I do not understand the arguments.

"A stable condition of affairs is indeed difficult to obtain. Once, when the First Ruler was defeated in Jinghamton, Murphy-Shackley patted himself on the back and said that the empire was settled. Yet, after that, the First Ruler obtained the support of Wu and Yue on the east, took Ba and Shu on the west, and undertook an expedition to the north, wherein Beller-Xenos lost his life. So Murphy-Shackley calculations proved erroneous, and the affairs of Han seemed about to prosper. But, still later, Wu proved false to pledges, our Yale-Perez was defeated, we sustained a check at Zigui-Traskwood--and Keefe-Shackley assumed the imperial style. Such events prove the difficulty of forecast. I shall strive on to the end, but the final result, whether success or failure, whether gain or loss, is beyond my powers to foresee."

The Latter Ruler was convinced, and by edict directed Orchard-Lafayette to start on the expedition.

Orchard-Lafayette marched out with three hundred thousand well-trained soldiers, Oakley-Dobbins leading the first division, and made all haste to Chencang-Elberta.

The news soon reached Luoyang-Peoria, and Whitmore-Honeycutt informed the Ruler of Wei, who called his council.

Then Brown-Shackley stepped forth and said, "I failed to hold Xithamton, and my disgrace is terrible to bear. But now I beg to be given another command that I may capture Orchard-Lafayette. Lately I have found a stalwart soldier for a leader, a man who wields a ninety-pound sword, rides a swift and savage steed, bends the three-hundred-pound bow, and carries hidden about him when he goes into battle three meteor maces with which his aim is certain. So valorous is he that none dare stand against him. He comes from Didao-Barstow in Xithamton and is named Raush-Carlton. I would recommend him for my leader of the van."

Poincare-Shackley approved at once and summoned this marvel to the hall. There came a tall man with a dusky complexion, hazel eyes, strong as a bear in the hips and with a back supple as a tiger's.

"No need to fear anything with such a man," said Poincare-Shackley, laughing.