Sack of Highdrilian: Difference between revisions

 

The successful construction of the railway drew the attention of the government in Leidenstad, which itself was spearheading the development of a nationwide road and rail network. These efforts were hindered by the Kingdom's fragmented geography, particularly in the Älmarkii Highlands, where rail transport was vital for the mining industry which fueled the Cryrian industrial revolution, but also dangerous and difficult work for laborers. The Cryrian government had turned to outside regions under its influence to acquire low-cost workers who would pose a minimal burden to the state. Among the chief priorities of the Norsian Concern was to ensure Leidenstad's continued political and military commitment to its position in Aikthudr'zhur, and as such it was quick to offer its Aikkian workforce which already had experience in similar lines of work under similar conditions, albeit on a far smaller scale.

Initially, Aikkian workers were raised on a voluntary basis. This yielded comparatively low numbers as most of the railway workers had been farmers seeking employment outside of the harvest season, and were as such disinclined to travel to Cryria for assignments that might last multiple consecutive years. However, the Concern's recruitment drive dovetailed with an unrelated legislation pressed onto the Aikkian court by lobbyists in Leidenstad, which lifted trade restrictions on Cryrian agricultural products. Cheap foodstuffs soon began flooding into Aikkian markets and undermined local farmers.