Because Lan Wangji trusts Claudius, he trusted him to understand, but the depth of his understanding loosens something tightly-wrapped in his chest. It grants him a fresh breath, easier this time, and the ability to look directly at Claudius as he continues. "Wei Ying had no empire. He had a group of exiles, erecting houses and tending crops on soil so poisoned with corpses it could hardly grow anything." Here he frowns, a tiny and quickly-passing expression, and makes another silent decision to place his trust in Claudius. "Do you know what a golden core is?"