On February 28, the ninth year of the Xuanli period, Qishan Corridor.

This was the second day the convoy entered the Qishan Corridor.

The mountains on both sides are towering into the clouds, and the snow on the mountainside has not yet melted. Combined with the misty clouds, it looks like a fairyland.

This corridor is actually a canyon between two mountains. A gurgling stream flows down at the foot of the mountain, and various wild flowers bloom on the roadside beside the stream.

The azaleas are the most beautiful of all. Red, white, purple, and all sorts of other colors seem to be competing for this early spring, not caring at all that no one is appreciating them. They bloom proudly, and that is their own beauty.

The convoy arrived at the valley at 3 p.m., almost a day later than expected.

Because of the spring rain, the road in the Qishan Corridor was muddy. In addition, the road was already bumpy, so the convoy's progress slowed down a lot.

The terrain of the valley is relatively open, and the mountain seems to have retreated hundreds of meters here, leaving behind a flat area.

Xue Pinggui commanded the soldiers to set up tents here and arranged sentries. Fu Xiaoguan got off the carriage and chatted with Qin Wenzhe and other students. Looking at the charming scenery, he seemed to have forgotten the attack the night before.

"If this road can be widened to two parking spaces and the road surface leveled, it will become a major artery for trade and communication between the Yu and Wu dynasties."

Fu Xiaoguan looked ahead and continued, "If trade between the two countries were to begin, Border Town would become an extremely important commercial hub. So, if you have money, buy land in Border Town now; it will definitely appreciate in value in the coming years."

Shang Liang looked at Fu Xiaoguan with considerable confusion. His grandfather was Shang Yu, the Minister of the Secretariat. He had never heard his grandfather mention that the two countries would start trade, but he felt that Fu Xiaoguan would not have mentioned this for no reason.

"Master Fu means that... trade between the two countries will be resumed?"

"Maybe, but the time is hard to determine."

Wu Que pondered for a moment and asked, "In your opinion, Lord Fu, if trade between the two countries is established, will Wu Dynasty's products impact ours? I've heard that Wu Dynasty's iron smelting and forging are much more advanced than ours. Their swords, armor, and even farm tools and kitchen knives are better than ours. Furthermore, Wu Dynasty is rich in iron ore, and its products are cheaper than ours. If that happens, won't our products be unsalable?"

Wu Que only gave this example. In fact, there were many things in the Wu Dynasty that were better and cheaper than those in the Yu Dynasty, such as food, cattle, sheep, horses, wood and wooden products, etc.

This is an extremely profound issue, and it is also the reason why trade between countries has not been able to advance.

The monarchs of each country were worried about this issue. Every country has its weaknesses, and they all thought that if the other party's strengths entered their country, it would bring a devastating impact on their own country's related industries.

If these industries in the country are eliminated in the competition, resulting in the country becoming dependent on these industries, once the other party cuts off this industry, it will bring great disaster to the country.

Therefore, closing the country to the outside world is the current situation in the world. Only a few brave businessmen or those with powerful backgrounds dare to smuggle secretly and seek huge profits.

Fu Xiaoguan's eyes swept across the faces of the students, and he slowly spoke:

"Last time I left you with a question: What exactly drives social progress? Now, let me tell you a little story. Please listen."

"A pupa was lying in the grass. It saw a beautiful butterfly flying among the flowers. It was very envious and asked the butterfly, 'Can I fly freely in the sunshine like you?'

The butterfly stopped and told it, "If you want to fly, you must first desire to fly. Only when you have an extreme desire to fly will you let go of the burden in your heart and have the courage to leave your safe and warm nest. Then you will have to go through a life-or-death process."

The pupa said: "Then I might die accidentally!"

The butterfly said, "If you have this thought, it means you don't have the determination to fly. As a pupa, you are indeed dead. But you have gone through this process of rebirth towards death and become a cocoon. The moment you break out of the cocoon, you will become a butterfly like me and gain a new life, and you will be able to fly freely in this sunshine."

The butterfly continued, "Without the courage to face death, you will never have the chance to spread your wings and fly! For all your lives, you will be nothing but a pupa crawling on the ground! The blue sky has nothing to do with you, the flowers have nothing to do with you, and the scenery on the mountain has nothing to do with you. All you have is your cold and dark nest!"

The expressions on the students' faces suddenly became serious. Dong Shulan and Yu Wenjun also showed thoughtful expressions. Even Su Jue and others who had never cared about politics and economics before seemed to have grasped some clues at this moment.

Fu Xiaoguan smiled softly. "Now, I leave you with your second question: How can we stand out in the business competition between the two countries? Again, give me your answers after arriving in Guanyun City."

A short story about the conversation between a pupa and a butterfly is a choice that touches the soul.

No one wants to be a pupa, so they can only choose to become a butterfly.

The process will certainly be painful, but only after experiencing this life-or-death pain can you see the blue sky, white clouds and rainbow!

Shang Liang looked at Fu Xiaoguan in astonishment, thinking that in the two hundred years of the Yu Dynasty's history, only the previous emperor had proposed opening international trade, only to be rejected by his ministers for numerous reasons. It was a pity that the previous emperor hadn't heard the story of the chrysalis and the butterfly; otherwise, he would have pushed forward with all his might. Would the Yu Dynasty still be so consumed by money today?

He understood the importance of business, especially after reading The Wealth of Nations from his grandfather, he understood better what kind of innovation was needed for a country to prosper.

Every innovation will touch the souls of many people, but just like this fable, we must have the courage to live in the face of death.

So, does the current emperor have such courage?

Fu Xiaoguan is not shooting without purpose. It seems that a major reform is about to be implemented!

Fu Xiaoguan left this brain-burning question and took Dong Shulan and Yu Wenjun to the Huaxi River.

The stream at the foot of the mountain converges here to form a small lake, in which grow many water candles. These things will mature only in autumn, and now they look like green water plants.

There are many azalea trees growing by the lake, and many wild flowers under the trees.

"There's a legend about this..." Fu Xiaoguan pointed at the azaleas. "Legend has it that in the ancient Shu Kingdom, there was a king named Du Yu, also known as Wang Di. After his country was destroyed and his family was ruined, he died and his soul turned into a bird called the cuckoo. This cuckoo cries in late spring, often calling out, 'Let's go home, let's go home...'"

The two women looked at him curiously. He touched his nose and smiled, "That's really how the cuckoo calls."

"And then?"