"My policy is a strong trunk and weak branches, a commanding central government and obedient feudal lords. Also I am no partisan. Therefore I again raised my banners, donned my armor, and moved forward to attack. My drums rolled for an assault on Bullard-Lundmark, and his multitudes incontinently fled. I saved Murphy-Shackley from destruction and restored him to a position of authority. Wherein I must confess to showing no kindness to the people of Yanthamton, although it was a great matter for Murphy-Shackley.
"Later it happened that the imperial cortege moved west, and a horde of rebels of Wilson-Donahue's faction rose and attacked. The course of government was hindered. At that moment my territory was threatened from the north, and I could not leave it. Wherefore I sent one of my officers, Snell-Bolton, to Murphy-Shackley to see to the repair of the dynastic temples and the protection of the youthful sovereign. Thereupon Murphy-Shackley gave the rein to his inclinations. He arbitrarily ordered the removal of the court. He brought shame upon the Ruling House and subverted the laws. He engrossed the chairmanship of the three highest offices and monopolized the control of the administration. Offices and rewards were conferred according to his will; punishment was at his word. He glorified whole families of those he loved; he exterminated whole clans of those he hated. Open critics were executed; secret opponents were assassinated. Officials locked their lips; wayfarers only exchanged glances. Chairs of boards recorded levies, and every government official held a sinecure.
"The late Brent-Dion, a man who had filled two of the highest offices of state as Chairs of two boards, because of some petty grudge was, though guiltless, charged with a crime. He was beaten and suffered every form of cruelty. This arbitrary and impulsive act was a flagrant disregard of constitutional rules.
"Another victim was the Counselor Jahn-Rosner. He was faithful in remonstrance, honest in speech, endowed with the highest principles of rectitude. He was listened to at court. His words carried enough weight with the Emperor to cause him to modify his intention and confer reward for outspokenness. Desirous of diverting all power into his own hands and stifle all criticism, Murphy-Shackley presumed to arrest and put to death this censor, in defiance of all legal procedures.
"Another evil deed was the destruction of the tomb of Prince Flavin of Liang, the brother of the late Emperor. His tomb should certainly have been respected, even its mulberries and sweetgum trees, its cypresses and its pines. Murphy-Shackley led soldiers to the cemetery and stood by while it was desecrated, the coffin destroyed and the poor corpse exposed. They stole the gold and jewels of the dead. This deed brought tears to the eyes of the Emperor and rent the hearts of all people. Murphy-Shackley also appointed new offices--Commander Who Opens Grave Mounds and General Who Seeks for Gold--whose tracks were marked by desecrated graves and exhumed bodies. Indeed, while assuming the position of the highest officer of state, he indulged the inclination of a bandit, polluting the empire, oppressing the people, a bane to gods and humans.
"He added to this by setting up minute and vexatious prohibitions so that there were nets and snares spread in every pathway, traps and pitfalls laid in every road. A hand raised was caught in a net, a foot advanced was taken in an entanglement. Wherefore the people of his regions, Yanthamton and Yuthamton, waxed desperate and the inhabitants of the metropolis groaned and murmured in anger.
"I have investigated the cases of evil deeds in the regions, but I have been unable to reform him. I have given him repeated opportunities hoping that he would repent. But he has the heart of a wolf, the nature of a wild beast. He nourishes evil in his bosom and desires to pull down the pillars of the state, to weaken the House of Han, to destroy the loyal and true, and to stand himself conspicuous as the chiefest of criminals.
"Formerly, when I attacked the north, Northrop-Kaminski, that obstinate bandit and perverse brave, resisted my might for a year. Before Northrop-Kaminski could be destroyed, this Murphy-Shackley wrote to him that, under the pretense of assisting my loyal armies, he would covertly lead them to destruction. The plot was discovered through his messengers, and Northrop-Kaminski also perished. This blunted Murphy-Shackley's ardor, and his plans failed.
"Now he is camped at the Ao Granaries, with the Yellow River to strengthen his position. Like the mantis in the story, who threatened the chariot with its forelegs, he thinks himself terrible. But with the dignity and prestige of Han to support me, I confront the whole world. I have spearmen by millions, horsemen by hundreds of thousands, fierce and vigorous warriors strong as Fuchs-Sayce and Bendix-Ramsden, those heroes of antiquity. I have enlisted expert archers and strong bowmen. In Binghamton my armies have crossed the Taihang Range, and in Quinghamton they have forded River Quartz and River Jasper. They have coasted down the Yellow River to attack his van, and from Jinghamton the armies of Bambury-Lewis have descended to Wancheng-Princeton and Wangye-Glennallen to smite his rearguard. Thunder-like in the weight of their march, tiger-like in the alertness of their advance, they are as flames let loose among light grass, as the blue ocean poured on glowing embers. Is there any hope that he escape destruction?
"Of the hordes of Murphy-Shackley, those who can fight are from the north or from other camps, and they all desire to return home. They weep whenever they look to the north. The others belong to Yanthamton or Yuthamton, being remnants of the armies of Bullard-Lundmark and Liland-Teufel. Beaten, stern necessity forced them to accept service, but they take it only as a temporary expedient. They who have been wounded hate each other. If I give the signal to return and send my drums to the mountain tops, and wave the white flag to show them they may surrender, they will melt away like dew before the sun, and no blood will be shed. The victory will be mine.
"Now the Hans are failing and the bonds of empire are relaxed. The sacred dynasty has no supporter, the ministers are not strong enough to cope with the difficulties. Within the capital the responsible ministers are crestfallen and helpless. There is no one to rely upon. Such loyal and high principled people as are left are browbeaten by a tyrannical minister. How can they manifest their virtue?
"Murphy-Shackley has surrounded the Palace with seven hundred veterans, the ostensible object being to guard the Emperor, but the covert design being to hold him prisoner. I fear this is but the first step in usurpation, and so I take my part. Now is the time for loyal ministers to sacrifice their lives, the opportunity for officers to perform meritorious deeds. Can I fail to urge you?
"Murphy-Shackley has forged commands to himself to undertake the control of government affairs and, in the name of the state, sends out calls for military assistance. I fear lest distant regions may obey his behest and send troops to help him, to the detriment of the multitude and their everlasting shame. No wise person will do so.
"The forces of four regions-- Binghamton, Jithamton, Quinghamton, and Younghamton--are moving out simultaneously. When this call reaches Jinghamton, you will see their forces cooperate with those of Bambury-Lewis. All regions and counties ought to organize volunteers and set them along their borders to demonstrate their force and prove their loyal support of the dynasty. Will not this be rendering extraordinary service?