The Fox of France

Chapter 318: Dolores' Call

Hearing the sound of hooves outside, Idalgo was slightly surprised. Dolores was quite remote, with few people passing through during the day, so a group riding hastily at this hour meant something was amiss. Turning to Josephine, who was helping him arrange his preaching materials, he said, "Stay here; I'll go check."

Catholic priests were expected to remain celibate, but that didn't mean they lacked certain needs. There were reasons why some priests in Catholicism developed an unhealthy inclination towards young boys. However, there had been a gradual shift in this rule. While celibacy persisted in principle, the understanding evolved to allow priests to do as they pleased as long as their actions remained hidden. For instance, the renowned Pope Pius VI maintained numerous mistresses, one of whom was even his own illegitimate daughter.

Following the trend, many Catholic priests, Idalgo included, had partners and children. In these respects, "theology of revolution" directly stated: "God resides in the love between people; only the devil hates the love among them."

Josephine nodded, and Idalgo grabbed a lantern in one hand and a revolver in the other, opening the door to investigate the source of the approaching hoofbeats.

The eastern sky remained pitch black, the darkest moment before dawn.

In the distance, Idalgo spotted several lanterns approaching.

"Who goes there?" Idalgo asked.

The horses halted, and a figure jumped off the front one, raising the lantern hung on the saddle to illuminate a face adorned with a bushy beard.

"Father, it's me, Alexander!" Captain Alexander was Idalgo's friend, a white native of the land. Previously, he had been of great assistance in smuggling wine and olive oil through Dolores.

Upon Idalgo introducing elements of "revolutionary theology" into his sermons, Captain Alexander promptly warned him. He cautioned that such thoughts were perilous; if discovered by the Mexican religious tribunal, Idalgo would be deemed a heretic.

He emphasized that being labeled a heretic in Europe might not have severe consequences, but in Mexico, the religious tribunal still wielded the power to execute!

"I understand your point. It makes sense. But, my friend, I don't want to see you become a torchbearer. However, are you... I mean, are you sincere? Do you truly believe in what you say and are willing to fight for it?"

"Yes, my friend. Just as Jesus said, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.' I live not for food but for truth," Idalgo replied.

"Then count me in!" Captain Alexander said. "The time for change in this world has arrived!"

This conversation became a crucial step in the Mexican revolution. The revolutionary group began arming themselves.

"Alexander, my friend, what's happening?" Idalgo hurriedly asked.

"Someone has informed the religious tribunal that you're a follower of 'revolutionary theology.' You know, half a month ago, a bishop arrived from Rome, specifically tasked to hunt down 'revolutionary theology' heretics. Last night at nine, I received word that the police would come to arrest you at dawn," Captain Alexander said. "Fortunately, they don't know we're all in this together, all deemed 'heretics.' The situation is dire. What's your plan? We'll follow your lead!"

Upon hearing this news, Idalgo expected to be shocked, but oddly, he remained remarkably calm. Faced with this sudden development, he felt no agitation; he even found himself smiling.

"My friends, we've prepared for so long, all for this day, haven't we? You're not here alone but with our comrades from the army, all for this day. We've toiled in the wilderness these days, all to 'prepare His way, make His paths straight.' Now, this day has finally arrived! Alright, everyone, you've worked hard. Come inside, rest, and when dawn breaks, when the masses assemble..."

The cavalry led their horses to the back of the church, preparing.

As the sun rose, Father Idalgo donned a black robe, came to the church's entrance, and rang the bell himself.

By mid-morning, a crowd had gathered. They encircled Father Idalgo's pulpit, awaiting his sermon.

Father Idalgo began preaching, openly including the contents of "revolutionary theology," overturning the "Bible twisted by the false church of Satan's followers." Finally, he proclaimed that Jesus' path was a path against all oppression, a path of redemption, and liberation.

"The Bible says: 'A voice of one calling in the wilderness, "Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him."' This path is Jesus' path, leading people to liberation from slavery, the road to freedom and redemption, just as legislator Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt..."

At that moment, a cloud of dust rose from the road – galloping horses approaching. Probably the police coming to arrest Father Idalgo for his beliefs.

Shortly after, a few policemen arrived at the church's entrance. Led by a white native, they brandished batons, pushing aside some Indigenous people gathered nearby, advancing toward Father Idalgo's pulpit.

Father Idalgo had noticed them earlier. Now, as his sermon reached its climax, he shouted to the crowd, "My children, do you desire freedom? Do you wish for a happy life? Three hundred years ago, detestable Spanish colonial thieves stole our ancestors' lands. Are you willing to do whatever it takes to reclaim them?"

Indigenous and white natives around shouted in unison, "Hang the colonial thieves!" "Long live independence!" "Long live freedom!"

At that moment, the colonial police, having just reached the pulpit, were about to announce the arrest of Father Idalgo in the name of God and the king. Surrounding cries drowned their speech. The thunderous roar overwhelmed the lead policeman, who stood agape, unable to utter a word.

As the surrounding clamor subsided, everyone noticed the policemen now close to the pulpit. Countless eyes fixated on them, a gaze as weighty as the Rockies, making the policemen break into a sweat.

The lead, trembling policeman opened his mouth and finally shouted, "Hang the colonial thieves! Long live Mexican independence!"

His fellow policemen immediately raised their fists high, joining in, "Down with the wicked Spanish, long live Mexican independence!"

With those words, the policemen felt a sudden lightness. The stares that had been fixed on them softened.

The lead policeman hastily grabbed the white native who had led them, dragging him forward and kicking him to the ground in front of Father Idalgo. Father Idalgo glanced down and recognized him as Leonardo, a smuggler who had purchased their wine.

"Father, it's this guy who snitched!" the policeman indignantly pointed at Leonardo with his baton.

"So, it was you who informed?" a mixed-race man drew his knife.

"You betrayed us? How much did you sell us out for? Thirty pieces of silver?" an Indigenous man questioned.

Father Idalgo stepped forward, asking, "What's going on?"

"Father, it's like this," the chubby policeman replied with a smile, "the damned Bishop Carlos arrived recently, offering rewards for catching 'revolutionary theology' heretics. This traitor, this shameless scoundrel, for

money, ran to snitch! I spit on him! Such shameless bastards, traitors, Judases! He went to the religious tribunal and snitched that you're a 'revolutionary theology' heretic. Spit! What's wrong with revolution? Mexico should've been damned well revolutionized! Damn those peninsulares, those nobles, those bishops! It's high time we hanged those damned colonial thieves on the gallows! So, we brought this traitor here for you."

"Sheriff, how could you..." the smuggler began.

The chubby policeman swiftly struck him in the mouth with his baton, knocking out two teeth.

"Shut up, you damned Judas! I hate the Spanish thieves second, you traitors first! If I can't beat the Spanish thieves, can't I beat you?" he said.

Then, with a grin, he said to Father Idalgo, "Father, are we starting a rebellion? I know the city inside out. I'm willing to join the revolution, let me lead the way! I'm willing to support the revolution; let me guide the revolutionary army!"

"Yes, yes!" other policemen chimed in. "Father, we're ready to guide the revolutionary army! Let's act now, Father! Let's catch those Spanish thieves off guard!"