After all, continuing to fight like this would do neither side any good. The Kingdom of Spain was already rotten to the core, while the Austrian Empire had yet to take possession of this land. Perhaps this might prove to be an opportunity.
Quite a few people shared this thought. After all, de la Concha's main force appeared to have abandoned the eastern region, allowing Narciso López's army to run wild.
This was highly unusual, yet easy enough to understand. The western region was prosperous; most of the powerful and wealthy lived there, as did the important farmlands and facilities, along with huge numbers of black slaves.
Though the east also had sugarcane fields, most were not prime farmland. Development there had begun relatively late, and its residents were mostly mixed-race people and Creole whites.
In the eyes of others, the west had more than just sugarcane—it also had coffee and tobacco. Those were Cuba's true essence. De la Concha surely wanted to leave a good impression on his new master, which was why he had abandoned the cart to save the commander.
The Creole whites of the east had long held grievances against the powerful westerners. Coupled with the long whisper of the American spirit, they felt that perhaps they could become Americans and escape their present predicament.
After the previous battles, Narciso López no longer wished to keep fighting these people. On the contrary, he needed their help to deal with de la Concha, and afterward, the Spaniards or Austrians.
Santiago.
Inside an inconspicuous little farmstead, a dim oil lamp flickered uncertainly.
Narciso López's expression was just as changeable. The strength and ambition of these Creole whites were greater than he had imagined.
The man seated opposite Narciso López was named Don Peoli. He was the representative of