Chapter 429. That’s a big and beautiful train
(3)
The bandits are called synonymous with fear only in mountain villages where it is difficult for troops to enter, or when the lord is so poor that it is difficult to send troops.
No matter how violent the bandits are, they can’t defeat a regular army.
If their stronghold is detected and troops are dispatched, they will be annihilated in less than half a day.
That’s why thieves these days make their livelihood in a different way than plundering villages.
To rob a peddler’s pocket.
The number of thieves has decreased even more recently as surveillance has become stricter and even the army disguised as a line of peddlers deliberately serves as a bait and wipes them out.
In the meantime, it was the introduction of the train that dealt a decisive blow to their hungry stomach.
“Looking like these fucking things that don’t know if they’re trains or not…
The leader of a band of bandits based on the western outskirts of Ernesia Kingdom trembled as he punched the walls of his hideout cave.
For them, the peddler was a precious meal.
It’s hard to touch the wagon of the grand meeting because everyone has a private mercenary unit these days.
But even if they go alone or in groups, fewer than five or six peddlers are a valuable source of income for them.
That’s why they mainly target peddlers, blocking their roads and extorting tolls.
Of course, if the situation was good, it would be nice to kill them and shake them all off.
However, with the introduction of the train, their livelihood was hit hard.
“That damned train…
The bandit boss gnashed his teeth.
Recently, as peddlers began to leave their luggage on trains one by one, it became difficult to covet their luggage.
I didn’t feel much at the time when only the direct train between Pahilia and the royal capital was opened.
As soon as the train was introduced, the thieves suffered quite a loss.
“How the hell am I supposed to rob that monster?!”
Even when he first heard the rumor that a train or something was coming in, he snorted while drinking with his subordinates.
I don’t know if it’s a train or not, but I’ll give you a big shake this opportunity.
It’s big, so there must be a lot of luggage, right?
But the reality was different.
Seeing the train’s formidable force, they had to give up their plan to storm it.
“Guys, is there really no way?”
When the boss glanced at them, the subordinates averted their gaze as if embarrassed.
“Is there such a thing?”
If he had such a head in the first place, why would he steal in a place like this?
In the past, there were many cases where villages that could not pay taxes became bandits, but recently, only those who have escaped from the city or committed acts that prevented them from returning to their hometowns have become bandits.
Of course, there’s no way I’m going to come up with a solution.
“You’re the one who said out loud that you can attack with confidence in the first place!”
“Kuh…. Don’t answer me!”
He kicked the grumbling underling and gnashed his teeth once more.
It’s not like I haven’t done anything.
One time, I put a big obstacle on the track and watched it stop, but the train broke even the obstacle and moved on.
And since the army dispatched by the lord searched the area, they had to struggle to hide from the army’s eyes.
“Kuh! The old days were good!”
In those days, peddlers paid the tolls on their own.
Although the lord’s army was fearful, there were plenty of corners to escape from.
But now, many merchants use trains, so there is no way to attack them.
Therefore, it became difficult for bandits to continue their existence.
It’s something to curse at them, but it’s a welcome phenomenon for good citizens, lords, and merchants of the kingdom.
“Damn it…
” “What’s the boss now?”
“What the heck? Let’s go to the territory where trains haven’t been introduced yet. If it were there, there would still be guys left to rob.”
They clenched their fists and shivered and had to move their bases.
and after a fortnight.
While trying to cross the border, all of them are captured and executed by the lord’s army.
Since that time, the number of thieves in Ernesia Kingdom has been subtly decreasing.
It can be said to be a really good thing.
After the train was introduced in earnest. I looked at the reaction to the current train.
First of all, the response to the train seems to be pretty good.
Acceptance is faster than expected.
“As expected, the number of wagons going in and out of the gateway has decreased compared to last month. Instead, the number of people entering and leaving by train has increased.”
I noticed the change as I looked through the documents with a table showing the reduction in the number of wagons entering and leaving the city.
“That’s right. Compared to last month, less than half. No, I think it will be more than that.”
Uncle Richen handed over the following documents to me and explained.
Basically, he is in charge of the management of Arnil Firm.
Usually, I don’t share opinions by checking each document like this.
The reason I went to visit my uncle is because now is the time when the commercial sphere in the kingdom is changing due to the introduction of trains.
At present we were discussing the changes brought about by the introduction of trains.
For those who do business, even a small change should not be missed.
Even more so, the changes that occurred when the train was operated this time were by no means insignificant.
Now that there is a fast way to connect the distribution network, of course there will be changes.
The shape of the commercial district will change.
At least I have an obligation to observe whether the introduction of trains at this time has any adverse effects.
Because change can sometimes be a weakness that will allow enemies to attack.
“The speed at which people and merchants accept trains is faster than what Arel said.”
“Well, if you think about it, you can figure out which is cheaper, a carriage or a train.”
“Anyone can measure that much of a difference.”
In particular, the reaction of merchants is good.
The fees you have to pay to transport items in the train’s cargo hold are much higher than the normal ticket price.
This is because, unlike tourists whose purpose is simply to come and go, merchants are properly paid for their value.
Nevertheless, merchants are scrambling to use the train.
“But at first I thought it would be a backlash.”
As the saying goes, merchants are more sensitive to changes in gold coins than anyone else.
Of course, I expected that they would be repulsed if I asked them to pay the expensive shipping fee.
However, the number of peddlers who adopted the system of abandoning the wagons faster than expected increased.
“Wagons are not cheap either. Horses are not cheap, and feed is expensive.
Horses are also exhausting creatures. Crucially, compared to trains, it is infinitely slower.”
“Right.”
“Above all, compared to the safety of using the train, the transportation cost is well worth paying.”
That’s right.
“Are you saying that if there is value, you can easily pay gold coins even if they are expensive?”
I sighed and looked over the ticket again.
“At this rate, the work of connecting the tracks across the kingdom will be finished soon.”
The lords, who showed a somewhat hesitant attitude at first, now actively send inquiries asking when the track work can be completed or how many trains can be run.
Rather, they are even requesting that additional lines be built in exchange for some favorable conditions.
Where is that?
Other countries are starting to show interest in earnest.
Apart from the dangers, the merits that the train will bring will make your mouth water.
Everyone is honest about money matters.
Yes money knows the answer.
My uncle also nodded in agreement.
“Isn’t it really nice? Merchants belonging to Arnil are proud to have joined this company.”
“okay? It doesn’t.”
In other words, one of the stores sucking the biggest honey in this train transportation is the Arnil store.
of course.
The train is, after all, a means of transportation planned by me.
Of course, the Arnil Chamber of Commerce can receive the benefits most directly.
It allowed them to separately operate a truck that was exclusively operated by Arnil Trading Company.
Arnil is the only company that enjoys a monopoly on trucks, which was impossible no matter how much lobbying was done by other companies.
complain? fairness?
Call it a dog or a week.
The world is originally fair but not fair.
If you are dissatisfied, why don’t you come in front of me and tell me to ask.
I just wonder how many of them are brave enough to argue.
“Anyway, they are enjoying the blessings of this train no matter how much. It means we don’t have anything to worry about.”
“That’s right. It seems that the size of the company will grow even bigger now.”
However, the uncle who said that had a slightly perplexed expression on his face.
“Thanks to that, lately it’s getting difficult for me to handle alone.”
“Ah… so you’re going to raise at least someone worth entrusting?”
It’s not just about the successor who will take over the business.
It is difficult for one person to control the growing size of the business and the amount of work that accompanies it.
At least 2 or 3 people are needed.
“I wish I could, but I don’t have anyone I can use. It would be nice to have one or two.”
“If you don’t have one, grab someone that your uncle can use and raise him.”
I recommend what I do most often.
Usually, perfected talents don’t roll around.
It has to be planted properly, watered and nurtured.
That’s my own philosophy.
“Isn’t that the hardest thing?”
“Hmm? well?”
I sighed slightly.
“Anyway, as long as the business goes well, long live.”
“It’s just that they seem to be doing their best in their own way.”
“Hmm, what about the head?”
When I tilted my head, my uncle opened his mouth slightly as if he was sorry.
“It’s nothing special.”
“It’s okay uncle. Talk.”
“Actually, there are some things that just started rolling my head around this time. We are still waiting for full-fledged evidence to come out.”
“What?”
I was a little curious.
A human being is a creature whose essence is to roll the hair in any situation.
Of course, there is no reason to be interested in what they thought of in the change of this train.
“In fact, it seems that a certain merchant started a little unique business. Here is a look into it.”
Uncle Richen handed me a stack of papers with the results of the investigation written on them.
“where? What….’? hmm?”
Seeing that, I tilted my head slightly.
What he showed me was a list of goods recently loaded into the train hold.
Of course, it’s not from Arnil Firm, but from another firm.
Basically, we manage it, so we have no choice but to know what kind of cargo we are transporting.
However, the contents of the cargo he showed me were quite unexpected to me.
I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s just an ordinary product.
“???? what’s this???????”
“It is what you see.”
“Why do these things blow your eyes?”
It was nothing other than the contents of the recent sale of Fahilia’s eyes and carrying them out as cargo.
