Chapter 756: When The Birds Are Gone, The Bow Is Cast Aside

'When the birds are gone, the bow is cast aside...'

How could this topic even be brought up for discussion?

Wasn't it just a little too controversial? A taboo topic?

Be it a ruler, or a minister, they were all highly sensitive towards such words!

"Err..."

His Majesty the emperor's hand stopped in the midst of stroking his beard, his entire body frozen. His eyeballs nearly fell out of their sockets, and with a sudden jerk of his hand - alongside a slight 'hmph' - he pulled out a few strands of his beard from his chin.

"Ohoho..."

The emperor choked out a dry laugh. He then turned his head and directed his attention towards Yun Xiaoyao as he sniggered, "Say... oh brother... your son has certainly placed a little too much effort into his teachings, eh? My successor is only nine-years-old - is there really a need to know the deep meaning behind 'When the birds are gone, the bow is cast aside?"

Yun Xiaoyao's face had already turned a different shade as he stammered and struggled to find his words. He stared at Yun Yang with a gaze like he was about to devour him as if he was about to swallow Yun Yang whole into his belly!

Look at what the hell you've taught him! An idiom shrouded with such a profound meaning! If you're so f*cking capable, why don't you just ascend to the heavens!

'When the birds are gone, the bow is cast aside...' Can such things even be taught?

I knew you wouldn't even bat an eye when it comes to an emperor's power - I know you don't give a damn. You should not even have agreed to this, then. Well, now that you did, just do a decent job while you're at it! Now you've stirred up such a situation... What the hell are you playing at?

As the only person in the banquet who still retained the color in his face, as if nothing was out of place, Yun Yang smiled, gently asking, "What good memory, Bao'er! Not bad at all! it was this phrase exactly. Do you remember what did I teach you about this when it can be used appropriately? The meaning behind it? If you can reiterate its meaning clearly, Uncle Yun here will give you a reward!"

Every single gaze from the crowd swung in their direction as keen encouragement were inscribed on each of their faces. However, in truth, their hearts were caught in their throats as they locked their gazes on Bao'er.

This question was a terribly sensitive one.

It was especially so now that the whole continent had lapsed into a blanket of silence, the excellence and success of the Yutang empire would most certainly draw envy as they gradually marched towards a bright future. The Empire of Yutang would unite the entire world and deliver peace to Tianxuan!

In this critical moment, there was barely even time to give out due rewards or promotions, nor the time to rope in the hearts and support of the people - how could one even begin to think about 'casting aside the bow when the birds are gone'?

Even if such mind games were something necessary to practice amongst the royals, this was blatantly too despicable!

There was nothing in this world that could be an even worse disappointment than this!

Bao'er was still a child, after all. He was more mature than his peers, yet he did not think much about it, replying with enthusiasm, "That day, uncle first explained the allusive meaning behind this idiom. It was about how after a hunter hunts, he would store away his hunting tool after gaining the prize of the hunt. In a real-world context, the deeper meaning behind it can be seen in two ways. First, it'd be in the point of view of a ruler. To a ruler, this phrase is interpreted with a negative connotation, as it signifies his inefficiency and uselessness; the other way to see it is from the point of view of a minister - to those who had sacrificed everything they had for a cause, this phrase was their ultimate woe of tragedy."

At this point, everyone let out a cumulative sigh of relief.

At least there was still a bottom line to this bastard Yun Yang's audacity. These words... these words might not be pretty, but the reasoning behind them was certainly irrefutable!

Traces of menace flitted ominously through the emperor's glazed eyes, yet, he commented warmly, "Yes, this is a good way to put it. Carry on, Bao'er - your grandpa emperor would like to hear your uncle's enlightening remarks."

Yun Xiaoyao gritted his teeth and threw another deadly glare towards Yun Yang, yet Yun Yang seemed to not give the slightest hint that he was the least bit bothered. He smiled slightly, completely oblivious to the hostility around him.

Naturally, Bao'er could not gauge the true intention behind the emperor's question. Thinking thoroughly, he then replied, "Uncle Yun told me that these words do not mean well in most situations. It would be best if one does not find the need to use it at all in their lives, and this may be applicable to themselves or upon others, but it also depends on the context. Then he proceeded to ask me, 'Who in this world is the most venerable person of all?'"

The emperor nodded his head. "Well then, who do you think is the most venerable of all in the world, Bao'er?"

The emperor was hoping that Bao'er would name him as the most venerable person in the world. That could at least feed his ego, and would render him a great deal of accomplishment - they could even bring themselves out of this sticky situation with it. He was already the world's most venerable one after all - he could most certainly close an eye over any educational misdemeanors that Yun Yang had imparted!

"Back then, I told my uncle, 'The most venerable of all are those who sacrificed their lives - the heroes on the battlefield who slaughtered our enemies," replied Bao'er.

The emperor secretly let out a dejected sigh. There was a burning sensation within his heart as he implored, "Oh?"

"Bao'er said it as it was. Uncle said, 'Bao'er, you're right about that. The most venerable ones are the heroes. Without their sacrifice, how will there be peace in the world? However... if one day the world is finally blessed with peace, and when these heroes no longer have their battles to fight - are they still the most venerable ones of all?'" Bao'er replied.

The emperor threw Yun Yang another hawk-like glare. "This is certainly a pressing problem - how does Bao'er see this, though?"

"Bao'er thinks that these people are still the most venerable people of all! For they've completed fighting their battles - that on its own is respectable. Due to the existence of such men, we no longer fear war!" replied Bao'er.

His Majesty said jovially, "Bao'er, you're absolutely correct. What else?"

"Uncle Yun said that I was right, too! Then he told me, 'When faced with a hero, he should always be treated as a hero.' He wanted me to always remember 'when the birds are gone, the good bow is cast aside' - and never to forget it."

Bao'er said it as it was.

Everybody was completely dumbfounded and started coughing simultaneously.

What the hell? They had just maneuvered themselves away from the topic, how the hell did it find its way back?

This was a blatant affront indeed!

Fang Qingtian and Qiu Jianhan looked as though they were sitting on nails. They squirmed anxiously, unable to hide their discomfort.

This question was already a solemn topic when deliberated in private - discussing this in the presence of His Majesty himself was even more heart-thumping!

Without missing a beat, Bao'er sweet voice could be heard once more. "For now, we, the Empire of Yutang, may have the vision to unite the world, but to do so, we have to address the issue of casting aside our useful resources when the deed is done."

This exact thought was echoed within the hearts of Qiu Jianhan and Fang Qingtian.

Yes, if the world is united as one, the ones at the most awkward position would undoubtedly be those who had sacrificed everything they treasured, including their lives - the soldiers!

How should this issue be resolved?

How can they never forget the purpose they have carried since the start?

The soldiers, especially the outstanding ones, were the most arrogant and fearsome ones - if they were to be rewarded for the deeds they have contributed accordingly, every single one of them possessed equally impressive merits; However, if such individuals were delegated into higher positions, they would no longer have the chance to exercise their combat abilities - if that is the case, how should they be arranged? How can this be sustained for long?

If there is no solution to make such arrangements, how would the future look like?

This was an incredibly serious problem. If this was looked upon in a more progressive way of thinking, it was obvious that nobody could ignore it, and it was something that should not be taken lightly.

However, a significant number from this bunch would certainly become an unexpected factor. There was no doubt that when it came to this - avoiding the problem would not bring any benefits!

The sharp gaze in the emperor's eyes did not recede one bit. "Bao'er, do continue."

Bao'er continued, "Uncle said, when the birds are gone, a good bow should be retained. That itself is something reasonable to say - if it was a good bow, of course, you'd save it for future use. You don't always have to kill your hunting dog when you're done hunting the rabbits."

The emperor squinted his eyes. Qiu Jianhan and Fang Qingtian held their breaths, awaiting further elaboration from Bao'er.