Although they had prepared themselves in advance, the people of Puertollano still had not expected Cabrera's appetite to be so ugly.
Still, Mayor Volta could be counted as having breathed a sigh of relief. So long as the other side named a price, things were manageable; it was merely spending money to avert disaster.
In truth, before the Austrian Empire arrived, they had already prepared a sum of money. They simply had not expected that it would not be used on the Austrians, but would instead be used on the Spanish Government Army.
"Marshal, this way, please. We prepared the army's pay long ago, along with wine and food to reward the three armies."
This time, Cabrera finally dismounted and entered City Hall together with Puertollano's notables and gentry. A lavish banquet had already been prepared here, along with chest after chest filled with silver coins.
"Marshal, there are one hundred thousand Real in silver coins here. Consider it a welcome for the royal army entering the city and restoring the national territory. Please accept it with a smile, Marshal."
Cabrera ordered his men to open the chests one by one and inspect them, leaving Puertollano's assembled notables standing off to the side.
A quarter of an hour later, his adjutant reported back.
"Marshal, they are indeed silver coins, with no adulteration and no copper coins mixed in."
Only then did Cabrera turn his head with a smile.
"You have done well. But Mr. Volta, where is Her Majesty's share?"
At that moment, Puertollano's gathered notables all widened their eyes. They had not expected the other side to be this shameless, much less that his appetite would be this large.
In the past, during the era of Isabella II, a governor could be sent away with ten or twenty thousand