Chapter 61: Assembly
Taking control of the entire province with my measly band of greenhorns would be extremely difficult—that is, if I relied solely on them. But I had at my disposal a much greater and more effective force. One that would frighten the principalia more than my armed men ever could.
I had the news about the war spread as soon as I could. While I conducted the meeting in the conference room, it had already reached the town and nearby villages.
When I called for an assembly that same afternoon at the plaza, a large, boisterous crowd responded.
I had prepared accordingly, playing to their patriotic spirit. Along the fringes of the plaza, I had some recruits in their well-pressed uniforms and polished boots stand at attention. On the veranda, I stationed the senior officers in full dress, complete with shoulder straps.
Isabela fixed my collar and readjusted the regalia on my khaki uniform as I stood, a bit nervous, near the doorway leading to the balcony—already hearing the cheers and whistles from the crowd.
This was not Martin’s first time. When the Spanish were defeated on the island a year ago, he had also made a public appearance. But back then, he was only a side character, with Colonel Abad and the gobernadorcillo taking center stage. All he did was say a few lines and wave a lot to the crowd.
"You look sharp, Papa," Isabela said, standing on her toes to take a closer look at the embroidery on my shoulder straps. "You look every bit a general."
I smiled. "You think so?"
"Yeah. You’re already intimidating me. You seem like a new person," she said, taking a step back to admire my attire. "The ladies outside will be swooning at the sight of you."