825 curtain call

Sergei returned to his own mining district, where the recent upheaval in Moscow had surprising involvement from the government and military.

Originally, it was a situation of foreign capital versus local nobility, but later it evolved into a split within the nobility, with the Reformist faction siding with foreign merchants.

Now, in addition to the three major forces, two more have emerged, and they are cooperating: one armed force and one legal authority.

"Boss, the government officials have come to inspect our mining operations again, how should we handle it?" Pickaxe asked, as the government was beginning to legally reclaim the mines.

Those willing to sell could receive a sum of money, while those unwilling to sell had to accept official inspections.

Though inspections were the stated purpose, the true aim was to collect fees, and all mining companies had to comply with standards set by His Majesty Mikhail.