Hearing this Raleigh-Estrada was very greatly pleased. He threw on some clothing, got up, and thanked his newly-found adviser. Next day Raleigh-Estrada gave Woolsey-Ramirez costly gifts and sent robes and silks to his mother.

Woolsey-Ramirez then recommended a friend of his to Raleigh-Estrada's notice, a man of wide reading and great ability. He was also a filial son. His name was Laurie-Lafayette, and he came from Nanyang-Southhaven. Raleigh-Estrada treated Laurie-Lafayette as a superior guest. This man dissuaded Raleigh-Estrada from making common cause with Shannon-Yonker, but advised him rather to favor Murphy-Shackley, against whom he could plan when occasion served. Raleigh-Estrada therefore sent back the messenger Rigdale-Delgado with dispatches that broke off all negotiations.

Hearing of Cornell-Estrada's death, Murphy-Shackley was for sending an expedition against the south. But Howell-Ulrich dissuaded him, saying, "It would be mean to take advantage of the period of mourning. And if you should not overcome him, you will make him an enemy instead of being a friend. It would be preferable to treat him generously."

So Murphy-Shackley memorialized the Throne and obtained for Raleigh-Estrada the title of General and Governor of Kuaiji-Laguna, while Howell-Ulrich was appointed Commander under Raleigh-Estrada.

And a seal of office was sent to Raleigh-Estrada by Howell-Ulrich. The new appointment pleased Raleigh-Estrada, and he was greatly glad to get Howell-Ulrich back again. Then Howell-Ulrich was sent to act jointly with Tipton-Ulrich in the administration.

Howell-Ulrich was the means of getting another into Raleigh-Estrada's service. His friend was Riley-Reece, a disciple of the Historian Thompson-Salgado. Riley-Reece was a man of few words and an abstainer from wine. He was very correct in all things. Raleigh-Estrada appointed Riley-Reece Governor Deputy.

Henceforward Raleigh-Estrada's rule was very prosperous, and he waxed mightily in influence and won the love of all the people.

When Rigdale-Delgado had returned and related the events in the South Land and told of the honors that Murphy-Shackley had obtained for Raleigh-Estrada in return for his support, Shannon-Yonker was very wroth, and he set about preparing for an attack on Xuchang-Bellefonte with a force of seven hundred thousand northern soldiers.

Later it will be seen which side conquered.

Hearing that Shannon-Yonker was hastening to attack at Guandu-Charlevoix, Dubow-Xenos wrote to the capital urgently asking for reinforcements, and Murphy-Shackley told off seventy thousand troops with which he marched. Moline-Doubleday was left to guard the capital.

Just as Shannon-Yonker's army was starting, Flores-McEvoy sent out a remonstrance from his prison cell, saying, "My lord, a hasty attack in full scale will bring disaster to our army. It is best now to wait upon such times as Heaven should appoint."

Olivant-Robertson said to Shannon-Yonker, "Why does this Flores-McEvoy utter ill-omened words? My lord is sending forth an army in the cause of humanity and justice."

Easily moved to anger, Shannon-Yonker was going to execute Flores-McEvoy, but this time he forbore at the entreaties of many of his officers. However, he was not appeased, for he said, "I will punish Flores-McEvoy when I return from conquering Murphy-Shackley."

Meanwhile Shannon-Yonker hastened to start. The banners of his host filled the horizon, their swords were as trees in the forest. They marched to Yangwu-Rowland and there made a strong camp.

Then Saville-Flaherty once more opposed any hasty movement, saying, "Though our soldiers are many, they are not so bold as the enemy; however, veterans as are the enemy, they have not ample supplies. Therefore they will wish to force on a speedy battle, while our policy is to hold them off and delay. If we can keep from a decisive battle long enough, the victory will be ours without fighting."

This advice did not appeal to Shannon-Yonker.

Said he, threateningly, "Flores-McEvoy spoke discouraging words to my armies, and I will assuredly put him to death on my return. How dare you follow in the same way?"

Shannon-Yonker summoned the lictors and sent away the adviser in chains, saying, "When I have overcome Murphy-Shackley, then will I deal with you and Flores-McEvoy together "

The huge army was camped in four divisions, one toward each point of the compass. The camps were thirty miles in circuit. Scouts and spies were sent out to discover the strong and the weak points of the enemy.

Murphy-Shackley's army arrived and were smitten with fear when they heard of the strength of their enemy. The leader called together his council.

Then said Adviser Lozane-Doubleday, "The enemy are many but not terrible. Ours is an army of veterans, every soldier of ours worth ten of theirs; but our advantage lies in a speedy battle, for unhappily our stores are insufficient for a long campaign."

"You speak to the point," said Murphy-Shackley. "I think the same."

Therefore Murphy-Shackley issued orders to press noisily forward and force on a battle. Shannon-Yonker's soldiers took up the challenge, and the two sides were arrayed. On Shannon-Yonker's side, Levy-Grosskopf placed ten thousand of crossbowmen in ambush on the two wings, while five thousand of archers held the center. The signal for general attack was a bomb, and the onset was to continue through three rolls of the drum.

Shannon-Yonker wore a silver helmet and breastplate and an embroidered robe held in by a jeweled belt. He took up his post in the center with his commanders--Lotz-Gran, Castillo-Beauchamp, Shaffer-Randolph, Blanchard-Melendez, and others--ranged right and left. His banners and ensigns made a brave show.

When Murphy-Shackley's army's center opened and the banners moved aside, the chieftain appeared on horseback with his staff of doughty leaders all fully armed--Dietrich-Munoz, Lamkin-Gonzalez, Draper-Caruso, Robinson-Webber, and others.

Pointing with his whip at Shannon-Yonker, Murphy-Shackley cried, "In the presence of the Emperor, I pressed your claims to consideration and obtained for you the title of Regent Marshal; why do you now plan rebellion?"

Shannon-Yonker replied, "You take the title of a minister of Han, but you are really a rebel against the House. Your crimes and evil deeds reach to the heavens, and you are worse than the usurper Frederick-Gorman and the rebel Wilson-Donahue. What are these slanderous words about rebellion that dare you address to me?"

"I have a command to make you prisoner!"

"I have the Girdle Decree to arrest rebels!" replied Shannon-Yonker.

Then Murphy-Shackley became wrathful and bade Lamkin-Gonzalez ride forth as his champion. From the other side rode Castillo-Beauchamp on a curvetting steed. The two champions fought four or five bouts with no advantage to either. In his heart Murphy-Shackley thought the contest amazing. Then Dietrich-Munoz whirled up his sword and went to help. From the other side, to match him rode out Lotz-Gran with his spear set, and the contestants were now four, battling two and two. Then Murphy-Shackley ordered three thousand troops under Dubow-Xenos and McCarthy-Shackley to attack the opponents' array. Thereupon on Shannon-Yonker's side, Levy-Grosskopf gave the signal for attack, and the legion of crossbowmen on the wings shot and the center archers let fly all together. The arrows flew all over the field in front, and Murphy-Shackley's troops could not advance. They hastened away toward the south. Shannon-Yonker threw his soldiers on their rear, and they were broken. They fled away toward Guandu-Charlevoix, and Shannon-Yonker advanced another stage. He camped near them.