Chapter 704: Who Else Is to Be the Prodigal Child If Not Him?

Yun Xiaoyao closed his eyes and sucked in a deep breath.

In all honesty, there were indeed not many men who could stop Yun Yang as he was now. At least, no one in the Empire of Yutang could do so - regardless of whether it was him, Yun Xiaoyao, or the Emperor of Yutang, Yu Peize!

As long as Yun Yang wanted to do something, he would succeed, even when the entire Empire of Yutang was banded together to stop him.

Things had already come to this stage.

"What should be done, I have done," said Yun Yang, "Everything else after this is only an exercise of waiting for our efforts to bloom and come to fruition."

Yun Xiaoyao said, "Have you ever thought what would happen if Bao'er isn't up to par? What if he can't shoulder your expectations? No matter how he's taught and trained, there's no certainty that he will grow into the mold we hope he grows into. What then?"

"Nothing. Let him be the prodigal child. As long as the land that the Nine Supremes have fought so painstakingly for isn't lost to an outsider," Yun Yang answered and with a grin, he said, "That will be sufficient."

He laughed. "Aren't the possessions and wealth the elders fought for to be left for their descendants? If their descendants live long enough to enjoy success, they'll naturally guard the treasure and prosper. If they fail to do so and exhausted all that was given to them, isn't it how it should be as well?"

Yun Yang's chuckle was lighthearted. "How can others take advantage of the assets his father and uncles fought for? When those who fought for the rivers and mountains gained them and wanted to quit, who else to pass the ready-made possessions to if not him? Who else is to be the prodigal child if not him?"

"Besides, its just like you said. There's no certainty as to what he'll grow up to be. Who knows, he might be a brilliant emperor the likes of which we have not encountered since the start of time? Much more magnificent than his grandfather and ancestors? Who knows?"

Yun Xiaoyao could only sigh upon hearing this, no longer bothering to come up with a response.

'After I die, whatever happens, it matters not how my son wastes away my properties' - this was probably Yun Yang's current thought. Whether it was carefree or selfish, it was still a sincere sentiment!

...

Yun Xiaoyao entered the room and closed the door.

He needed some time to digest Yun Yang's words. In addition, he was immensely troubled by his own thoughts. What Yun Yang had told him could be considered an act of openly laying down his cards, thus leaving the issue to Yun Xiaoyao.

Should he tell the emperor?

'Why is this choice always looming over me and forcing me to choose? And I chose this side, every single time!'

Yun Xiaoyao lamented and sighed in his study.

...

"The ten Yama Kings and Fang Mofei aren't back yet?" Yun Yang asked Lao Mei.

"No. No news as well, but it's still within an acceptable duration," answered Lao Mei.

"Mm."

Yun Yang no longer said anything and closed his eyes; what ran through his mind was unknown to anyone.

...

The next morning, the crown prince submitted his statement which contained his self-confessed lack of talent and character, asking to be voluntarily shed off his position as the crown prince.

Looking at the crown prince's case, the emperor was stunned for quite a while. A plethora of thoughts rushed through him, and his face indicated a series of emotions; relief, comfort, pain, and longing. In the end, he still managed to pick up his brush. He approved the request, and granted the title 'King of Serenity' to the then crown prince, conferring Fenglong City to him.

Fenglong City was located at the southern end of Yutang and was twenty-seven thousand miles away from the capital, Tiantang City. A normal round trip would take at least a few years to complete!

His Majesty contemplated for a long time before issuing an edict - the prince was to depart for the land granted to him before the end of the month; after that, he was not to return without any royal dictum.

There were no obstacles in the entire process; from the listening, approval, title appointment, granting of the land, to any other miscellaneous items. His Majesty did not even ask for opinions from his officials. It was like a rehearsal, a simple question or two, then the matter was set in stone. He was thoroughly authoritative in this.

Many officials in the imperial court were befuddled, but the few who were truly influential saw the case as a matter of course. They did not intervene, remaining silent. They did not even try to give any advice.

This had never happened before in the history of Tianxuan Continent and it was a wonder if there would be a repetition of this ever again.

When Yun Yang heard the news, he moved no muscle other than a faint smile. "His Majesty thought hard about this, wanting to save his son's life..."

Shangguan Lingxiu beside him replied, "His Majesty is also a parent. This is reasonable. It's no surprise."

Yun Yang said with a smile, "However, the second prince's life cannot be guaranteed by anyone. His Majesty's effort will be in vain. Forget it, let's go visit Bao'er and the children. We haven't practiced with them in a while."

(Author's Note: The second prince is the sacked crown prince.)

...

In the backyard of the Residence of Yun, a little person who wore white clasped a book in his hands, studying it with utmost focus.

Bao'er was still young, a child, but his height had shot up within this year, already lending him the appearance of a young youth.

Beside the little person, a teacher explained the lesson thoroughly. Behind Bao'er, a few children were reading books as well but they looked frustrated, obviously disliking the books.

"Prosper, the people suffer. Perish, the people suffer." Bao'er mumbled and asked, "Since everyone will suffer whether prosper or perish, how can they avoid suffering?"

The scholar standing beside him replied with a smile, "Suffering despite prosperity and perishing means different things. There's no doubt about perishing for the country; perish, everyone suffers. However, prosperity does not necessarily mean things are flourishing; they could merely be thriving."

"If there are people thriving, there will be people failing. Similarly, a prospering nation would be accompanied by the fall of another nation. The process is a bitter one. That's why suffering exists, whether there's prosperity or perishing. Still, if a country can stay peaceful and secure for a long time, then the people won't have to suffer. The people's hearts are the simplest - they won't speak of suffering if they have enough food to eat."

"Then, how can a country stay safe and peaceful for a long time?" Bao'er frowned; his innocent face was curious and sympathetic. "How does everyone get to have something to eat?"

A clear chuckle rang out. "Long-term security is a huge challenge. It needs at least the effort of a few generations."

It was Yun Yang.

"Uncle Yun!" Bao'er crowed loudly and was about to bolt over. Somehow, he held himself back with much restraint and looked towards his two teachers in front. Evidently, he was waiting for their instruction.

"Go." The teacher chuckled.

It was only then that Bao'er rushed over and hugged his arm when he came to Yun Yang.

Yun Yang bent down to pick up the child, continuing his explanation with a chuckle. "Only by the continuous effort of generations will the nation and its people thrive and flourish, letting everyone have a good meal. When the first emperor founded the nation and established his dynasty, everything was a slump waiting to flourish. The second emperor will work to keep his people thriving and the third emperor will watch over the empire, making sure his people accumulate wealth. When it comes to the fourth emperor's dynasty, only then can he achieve long-term security and prosperity. If it can be maintained, then the world shall not suffer."

Yun Yang looked into Bao'er's eyes and said, "Bao'er, it requires great knowledge to stop the world's sufferings. You have to study well and act upon it. Then it'll be the people's fortune, the world's luck."

"Then what exactly should we do? How do we start?" asked Bao'er.

Yun Yang answered, "Have noble officials within and have lionhearted generals without. Be crystal clear and sharp, pay attention to details. Balance the left and right and be able to rein in authority. Kindness and intimidation need to be applied together, one should be gentle and caring, as well as vehement and assertive. Bao'er, you'll have to learn all these things."