Li Feng raised his hand and rubbed his temple, repressing his anger, finding a way out for both of them. He stiffly said: "Forget it, you should return to rest first. I leave this matter to you. Go back and think about it. Spring has yet to arrive, the northwest is freezing cold, you do not have to hurry back over there..."

"Your Majesty." Gu Yun narrowed his eyes, suddenly lifting his robes and kneeling down. He once said he would not fight for meaningless temper and righteousness, but this was not merely a matter of temper and righteousness.

"Your Majesty, forgive me," Gu Yun said slowly, "Ziliujin is, of course, of importance, but pardon your subject's stupidity, I could not comprehend the deeper meaning of Your Majesty's action. It was not easy for the Silk Road to become as prosperous and peaceful as right now. Your Majesty would truly abandon it regardless only for a little amount of Ziliujin?"

"The Silk Road became what it is today, Subject Gu's contribution cannot be denied, I understand that after too many years of hard work, you cannot bear to... you think I don't feel pained?"

Li Feng resisted his temper and patiently explained: "But a big country resembling a large rundown house, with wind blowing from four sides, as soon as there is rain, one will have to work hard to pull down the east wall to make up the west wall. Is there any place that does not have to be stretched?"

Gu Yun sneered inside; it was not convenient for it to be shown on his face. Thus he only feigned indifference.

"The ground is cold, I can see Imperial Uncle's complexion is not good, even the scent of medicine on your body has not scattered yet, don't keep kneeling like that." Li Feng seemed to have cooled down, trying to be sensible with Gu Yun, "I remember as a child, Tutor Lin had said: the power of a country lies within the two arms - 'God-sent' and 'Man-made'. Does uncle remember?"

Gu Yun: "I do. 'God-sent' are mountains, grass, grains, soil and fish, the Ziliujin underground; 'Man-made' are the teachings passed down from previous wise men, industrial and trading, craftsmanship, machines, and armors. These two, resembling the beams, can still stand if one of them remains, but both cannot be broken at the same time; a ruler should remember this."

"Imperial Uncle has truly memorized all that you have read," Li Feng lowered his eyes and looked at him. "Now these two beams have both been hollowed out by insects, what am I supposed to do?"

Gu Yun actually wanted to reply: "If you weren't pushing the implementation of that ridiculous Zhang Ling Law, perhaps there would not be so many insects," but it was useless to say so. Just look at Master Feng Han, now hugging his dog children to reflect on his actions behind closed doors.