Chapter 14

Central Britannia

Hortensius stepped off the supply train, appreciating for a moment the benefit of being able to travel this far to meet with the disaffected villages and still be able to be back in Factorium to review that day’s production numbers. They were living in the future, and it amazed him that anyone would be against technology like this.

The smell of burned coal and oil filled the air. It was the smell of progress, and one he was getting to know more and more, although he wondered about the quality of the air around Factorium.

He made his way from the train, which had already started to build up steam as it began moving forward toward the end of the track, where it would deliver supplies to the men extending it ever forward to Londinium. He’d never been to this village, but his managers had told him where the meeting had been set up, and in person, it wasn’t hard for him to pick out the larger central house, built in the Roman style, surrounded by smaller, Carthaginian-style dwellings. This was one of those villages that had lived for a long time on the border of the Roman and Carthaginian lines, before the Carthaginians were removed, and it still maintained the style reflecting that heritage.

Several old men and men dressed in the current, more modern style quickly taking shape in Devnum, were gathered around a long table, sitting in chairs with sturdy backs. Hortensius silently shook his head as he saw them. For as much as these people were fighting progress, they certainly had adopted a lot of the new ideas the Consul had introduced.

“Good day, gentlemen,” Hortensius greeted them cheerfully, setting his drawings down and unrolling them on the table. “I appreciate you all taking time to talk with me today. I’m certain we can work out solutions to your issues around the railway going in through your lands.”

He’d been prepared to receive some pushback as he argued for the usefulness of the train, but he hadn’t expected it to be so vocal and immediate. Nearly as soon as he’d given greetings and started in on the explanation he’d come to give, his voice was drowned out by a chorus of objections.

“We’re losing too much acreage!” bellowed a burly livestock owner, his face reddening with indignation. “How can we feed our animals and families with less land?”

“And what about my crops? That dark smoke from your trains might ruin them! I can’t afford to take that risk,” another man said.

“The one-time payment for the land your tracks are going through doesn’t make up for the loss of valuable planting space!”

Hortensius held up his hands, signaling for quiet. “I understand your concerns, gentlemen. I truly do. Because this is all new, it can be difficult to see the benefits to come in the future, and only see what you are losing in exchange. That’s perfectly reasonable. Please allow me to address your concerns and explain how what you are getting is much greater than what you are losing in return.”

The men fell mostly silent, although the expression each man gave him made it clear they had little confidence that he would be able to convince them of anything.

“I know it’s hard to tell now, but there are some very large, long-term benefits to be gained from the railway, and not just for the Empire. I specifically mean long-term benefits for villagers such as yourselves,” Hortensius said. “The single largest advantage to you is the ability to bring your cattle and crops to markets in major cities that are currently unreachable to you. You’ll have access to a larger customer base and won’t be limited to local trade. And that works both ways. Instead of waiting for some of the marvels being produced further north to filter their way down here through traders, your local markets will have more direct access to the factories directly, allowing them to bring those supplies here faster and at a much lower cost.”

Hortensius had one of his more artistically inclined employees draw up a bustling market scene showing a village much like this one, its market stalls full of both goods and customers. As he finished describing the increased trade to their village, he unrolled the image. It was pure pageantry, since there was no real way to know which markets along the train route would become hubs and which would remain sleepy backwaters, but it was a reasonable inference to make, since all would see some kind of increased traffic.

The farmers exchanged glances, and he could see that the argument was already working to win over some of the men, who were even now starting to count the money it might generate.

Hortensius pressed on. “I know it’s difficult to see past the immediate loss of land, but I assure you, the advantages will far outweigh the inconvenience.”

A young man with a defiant glare spoke up, “And what if I don’t want your railway cutting through my fields? I won’t let you build on my land, no matter what you offer.”

Hortensius met his gaze evenly, “I understand your feelings, but I must remind you that this project is for the greater good of our people. However, I’m willing to work with you to minimize the impact on your land and ensure fair compensation. If enough of your neighbors feel the same, then we’ll be given no choice but to acquiesce to your demands, and move the railway, and the hub of commerce that would come with it, through another village. The Empress has been very clear that Britannia is not to become another Carthage. We will not force the Empire’s might down on you if the majority of you are against it.”

That was a bluff, of course. They had gone over the topography and the most direct route through the region, and this was by far the best site for this section of the track. If it came down to it, he might have to go to the Empress to force the issue. If he thought this might actually be harming them, he might not, since he really did want to make Britannia a better place than it had been under the threat of Carthage, but this seemed a clear case of people stuck in the past, needing someone to drag them, kicking and screaming, into the future.

“No matter the deals we work out with the landowners,” one of the old men at the table said, “we can’t control people who take materials left out by the Empire. It’s becoming a real problem.”

“While we have talked to the praetorians about increasing patrols in the area, I think part of the reason your people are finding it so easy to steal from the Empire is that it’s generally accepted by the rest of the populace,” he said, and then held up a hand as several people began arguing, protesting their innocence. “I’m not saying any of you want to defy or clash with the Empire. I’m just stating a simple fact that when the majority of a people are against something, there tends to be a general sense of acceptance against anything that might counter that thing. I feel that once I convince all of you of the value of the railway to your village, and your people accept that, the incidents of vandalism to the railway will decrease.”

“And how are you going to do that?” another man asked. “How will we know our village will be one that sees these benefits you’re talking about?”

Hortensius unrolled another drawing, this one showing a loading facility near a local station. “In exchange for your help, we will establish loading facilities at your local station, at the Empire’s expense. These facilities would be available for the local populace to use at a low cost, making it easier for you to transport your goods to market. At first, that would be to Devnum and then points further north into Caledonia, or Londinium and shipment off to the continent, but as the rail lines expand, you will find even more markets open to you.”

Hortensius could see he was making progress with some of the men, and for a moment hoped they’d turned the corner that they would eventually have to turn. At least, until one older man with a worn face and calloused hands scoffed loudly.

“We’ve survived just fine for centuries without this nonsense!” he declared. “It’s nothing but a waste of time and money if you ask me. We don’t need it!”

Some of the men who, moments before, had started to look convinced now wavered again, nodding along with the grizzled villager. Hortensius frowned. This was why he preferred his factories over dealing with people. People followed no logic, just making mercurial decisions without rhyme or reason.

As the noise level rose, Hortensius pulled up one of the chairs and stood on it, trying to get their attention as those in the crowd egged each other on, becoming increasingly hostile.

“Please, my friends, I understand your hesitation, but I urge you to consider the future!” he implored passionately. “The world is changing rapidly. More and more people means more trade, more goods moving back and forth. I know your families have lived and farmed these lands for generations without these innovations. But if you do not adapt, you will be left behind while other villages embrace progress and reap the benefits.”

The old man didn’t say anything but folded his arms, unconvinced. Others began to swing back, however.

“Having the railway so close to your homes makes your village invaluable as a hub of commerce for the surrounding areas,” Hortensius continued earnestly. “Your markets will swell with goods from afar, and your own products will find new customers. It will be like having a major crossroads or a port, right on your doorstep. A vital lifeline tying you into the growing trade networks crisscrossing Britannia. I promise you, the railway will enrich your people beyond your imaginations ... if you give it a chance.”