Republic Reborn: Against the Stars and Stripes-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?" fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

"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."

She wore a smirk I couldn’t quite read—amusement, sarcasm... or both.

A thought suddenly crossed my mind. I hadn’t meant to say it aloud. It wasn’t the time. But to my surprise, I did.

"Do you think... it would be outrageous for me to remarry?" I blurted out.

Her reaction made me chuckle. She wasn’t outraged by the idea—but perhaps she thought I was being ridiculous.

"What is this, Papa? Did someone catch your attention while you were in Bulacan?" she said, softly chuckling. "Was the handkerchief from her? The lady with the P.T. initials?"

I huffed. "Were you sorting through my things?"

"Nope. It was out on your table that one night," she said, still smiling widely.

"Unbelievable," I muttered, slightly flustered—more at myself than at her.

"And the answer to your question... would be no... I wouldn’t be outraged. But... that still depends... I’ll have to judge the lady myself," she said, eyes twinkling with mischief.

I was so absorbed in our exchange that I hadn’t noticed the crowd had fallen silent—and that Colonel Abad had begun speaking. He was a schoolteacher, and honed by his profession, he had the gift of public speaking.

"Peace is broken with the Americans..." he began, his baritone voice booming. "Just as we were about to completely defeat the enemy and were on the cusp of taking Manila, they arrived in the guise of friendly aid. Now, that guise has been discarded completely."

A chorus of boos erupted from the crowd. "Invaders!", "Liars!"—and viler words followed. Abad waited for the noise to subside before continuing.

"Last Sunday, they began their expansion out of Manila. We lost our first battle... but the war is just beginning. The final victory will be ours!" he shouted. His voice cracked at the end, but the crowd didn’t care. They roared their approval.

I sighed, knowing my turn was coming.

"Don Martin Lardizabal... I know you all know him... a beloved son of Marinduque," Colonel Abad continued, now adequately glazing my name. "He didn’t need to do this. He could have stayed on the sidelines. But his love for country compelled him."

"He has accepted the appointment from President Aguinaldo to be the Heneral in charge of Marinduque, Mindoro, and Romblon."

A quieter, more respectful applause followed the announcement.

"Until now, he’s done everything by himself. The uniforms, the rifles, the bullets—even the wages of these soldiers now standing before you—have all come from his own pocket," Colonel Abad said. "Perhaps it’s time we helped him."

"Please welcome... Heneral Martin Lardizabal!"

I roughly patted Isabela’s hair, to which she responded by pushing me closer to the doorway.

The crowd’s cheers reached a crescendo as I stepped onto the balcony. Capitan Roque, Capitan Madrigal, and Teniente de Navio Alcantara patted my back as I passed. Colonel Abad shook my hand at the center of the veranda and stepped aside.

I placed my hand on the warm stone handrail and took in the sight of the crowd. But the stage fright never came. If I had stood my ground before a hostile principalia, how could I not before a friendly mob?

There were more than a thousand attendees, many familiar faces—workers, farmers, fishermen. And they could help me, just as they were.

"My fellow countrymen... all that I do and will do, and all that I will ask of you... will not be for myself or for Aguinaldo—but for the Inang Bayan," I began. "As sons and daughters of this country, it is our duty to defend her when she is threatened... at all costs."

"Alas, we are fighting a mighty opponent in the Americans. It will take everything from us to stand a chance."

The crowd listened intently—uncharacteristically silent.

"All able-bodied men will be conscripted. Resources and services will be requisitioned. Curfews will be implemented. You’ll see soldiers left and right, as we come under military governance," I said. "It will be difficult—but I hope you’ll join me in this sacrifice."

I sighed in relief when my message was met with loud cheers and applause. It was surreal how the poor would more graciously accept hardship than the rich would tolerate even slight inconvenience.

But I had not yet reached the most important point. Everything I had said until then was merely a façade. I could have announced it without this grand speech in the plaza. This assembly had another purpose.

This crowd could be my army, even without enlisting them.

I continued, after the noise died down.

"And finally, my friends... our province overflows with patriots. But a few among us sympathize with the Americans," I said, choosing my words carefully. "Should you notice any suspicious activity, any violations—from anyone, whether a humble fisherman or a wealthy hacendero—do not hesitate to report it to us."