Republic Reborn: Against the Stars and Stripes-Chapter 44: Bare Minimum

I had to give out 150 pesos in total to the winners. That was a large sum—maybe a little too large. If I had offered just a peso, it would still have sufficed. The former Martin would have called me impulsive and feckless.

But I almost didn’t feel the loss. The Marinduqueño soldiers giggled and excitedly talked among themselves, probably about what to do with their winnings. They had just been rewarded a laborer’s weekly salary.

The Bulaceño soldiers scratched their heads as they listened to Dimalanta’s grating sermon. I felt guilty, of course—these were the same men who had endured the tiresome journey with me. They could have used a small purse to explore their new place of assignment, as a reward for all that they went through.

But I planned to keep them as my escolta, to provide security to the Casa Real and to my immediate family. That meant they would receive a higher rate of salary, and I would soon give them this week’s wage.

"Back to your formations," I raised my voice. Heads turned, and the order was echoed. A minute later, they were back in the positions I had found them in when I arrived.

I mounted my horse and rode in front of them. The saddle doubled as an elevated stage, and I had in my vision every single soldier. I let them settle until there was only the sound of the waves.

"I have in front of me two different units," I started. "The first one is from Bulacan—the escolta assigned to me as a newly appointed general. These soldiers have been trained in the Academia Militar, knowing all the drills and theories."

"But probably couldn’t hit an elephant right in front of them even for their lives," I continued, and saw Pedro smirking.

"The second one is Colonel Abad’s recruits. They underwent a week-long marksmanship training under me. They learned basic rifle handling, and as you can see, have better marksmanship."

"But..." I glanced at Pedro, then at the soldiers behind him, "they know nothing past that. You can call them marksmen... but not yet soldiers."

"Theory and technique—we will need both of these if we are to go up against the terrible might of the American army... and much more." I leaned sideways from my horse toward the soldiers, raising a fist. "You need your mind and body tempered. You need to learn how to survive and adapt in an actual battlefield. You need to be literate in tactics and principles, because it is only with knowledge that we can overcome might."

I let my words sink in. I wanted them to. If I could only show them what I saw at the bay—the monstrous ships, the artillery batteries, the Gatling guns—I would. What we were about to attempt, trying to resist the Americans until they grew weary of us, was a task that bordered on the impossible. The bare minimum would have to be our best.

"Next week, all of you shall start proper training. Ready your hearts and minds. Say goodbye to your comfortable lives, because what awaits you is suffering," I continued after the pause. "If you don’t think you have what it takes, you are still allowed to walk away now. But everyone who shows up in the plaza early at dawn this coming Monday should understand that they forfeit any right to back down."

"Am I understood?"

An almost deafening shout came as an answer. "Opo, Heneral!"

I took another good look at the column of soldiers. I could barely imagine them as a battle-worthy force. It was like looking at an empty canvas and hoping that, when I had taken my last stroke, I would have painted a Mona Lisa.

But as with all great work, it will look most intimidating in the beginning. Step by step, I shall see them become a fearsome brigade—a worthy foe for the Yanks.

A little while later, the soldiers had been dismissed, but Colonel Abad and Pedro stayed behind to talk.

Pedro fired a fusillade of expected questions. Just like Colonel Abad, he needed to see my shoulder patches and my letter of appointment. By the end of it, he seemed to beam with excitement and pride.

"I never thought this would happen. You, of all people... would dare to become a general," Pedro remarked. "It’s almost as if someone else had taken over your body."

I felt sweat start to form on my forehead, and I nervously swallowed as I turned to Colonel Abad. "Uhmmm... yes... about the recruitment... how many soldiers can you bring me in the plaza on Monday?"

"I can’t say for certain. We’ve only just started recruiting in the barrios around Boac and Mogpog. But it won’t be less than a hundred," Colonel Abad answered. "We could recruit more if we enlisted the help of the local big families. I would suggest that you hold a meeting soon in the Casa Real."

The principalia of Marinduque could significantly boost our recruitment drive using their influence—especially the families in other towns, where I had little to no reach. But it would be no easy task convincing them.

"A hundred will be enough," I said. "If I am to hold a meeting again... I will require an army."

I didn’t intend to scare them... but they immediately understood what I meant. The two of them suddenly tensed up at what I had just said.

"Would that be necessary?" said Colonel Abad.

"I’m afraid it is," I answered. "And I hope I’m not making a mistake by revealing it to you."

I said that, although I already knew them to be people I could trust. Pedro Madrigal was family—and the Madrigal clan in Marinduque were known to be strong supporters of the revolution. Maximo Abad was originally from Cavite, and as far as I knew, had no local allegiances. I had never doubted his commitment to the cause from the very beginning.

Colonel Abad’s face turned serious. "Only promise us, Heneral, that you will completely see this through."