Chapter 705: Nation. Family.
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Bao'er asked in a perplexed tone, "There's so much to learn; won't I die from exhaustion?"
An amused chuckle escaped Yun Yang's lips. "It's necessary that those rising to position know more and realize more. Of course, when it comes to a certain point in time, you will only need to be able to do one thing."
"When? What is that?" Bao'er asked.
Yun Yang smiled without answering. After a while, he said softly, "Think of the world as a family. If you want a family not to be bullied, to have enough to eat and wear, to not suffer from then on, you only need a single piece of knowledge. Also, if you want everyone in the world to eat their fill and dress warmly, you also only need a single piece of knowledge."
Bao'er blinked his eyes in a daze; it was almost as if he understood it, and yet did not.
The two teachers did not comment on Yun Yang's lesson, but it was evident that they were also listening intently. In spite of this, they were astounded when they heard what he just said.
Both of them were well aware of the theory Yun Yang was speaking about, but there were words they dared not say. They murmured, "A single piece of knowledge, a single piece of knowledge… Only needs a single piece of knowledge."
The teachers could not help but ponder upon that statement. Consequently, their gaze on Yun Yang was involuntarily filled with confusion.
Bao'er was still too young. Yun Yang had already stated clearly that it was prohibited to step into political strategies too early in a child's development. However, what he was doing now was planting seeds in Bao'er, incorporating the ideology so it was rooted within the boy and what was left was for them to grow.
There were things the teachers dared not say; some, perhaps they could not explain it clearly. Yet Yun Yang's words pointed straight to the crux of the matter. The premise was that those who knew would know and those who did not know would only go on to another path.
Could Bao'er really understand it?
The teachers glanced at Bao'er who was deep in thought and could not help but emit a humorless chuckle.
Did he understand?
It was only now that they realized, as teachers, that they truly dared not ask the question.
"Bao'er, it's enough that you only know one word – family. To ordinary citizens, family means a home of three or four people. To an emperor, what is family?"
Maybe Bao'er did not understand the meaning of this, but it was like a thunderbolt had struck the two teachers as they raised their heads abruptly to look at Yun Yang.
They were finally certain of what was going on. Today, Yun Yang was not here to teach Bao'er. He was here to teach them instead.
"What is family?"
The scholars felt their hearts dragged down by a tremendous weight.
…
"Aunty!"
Seeing Shangguan Lingxiu's arrival, the other children came up to gather around her, pulling her hands to complain to her. "Aunty… what's the use of us studying here? We should be released back to practice… It's the first priority to survive on the battlefield. What can these books do?"
Shangguan Lingxiu was initially all smiles, looking at the studious environment, but her face fell when she heard them. "Nonsense! What do you mean what's the use? Stratagems and planning decide the outcome of a battle from thousands of miles away. This is a military truth. Do you really not know this? If I hear any more nonsense from you, you'll be punished according to the family rules, even if your teachers aren't bothered to take any action!"
The children were immediately crestfallen, but no one dared to utter a retort.
Family rules? The family rules of the Shangguan Family were beyond the acceptance of a normal person. They were frightened at once.
Yun Yang could not help feeling tickled. Shangguan Lingxiu's temper could not be blamed. These children of Shangguan were, in all honesty, brave little warriors. Fighting was like having honey to them; they were utterly immersed in studying books about warfare as well. It was only when it came to knowledge on studious subjects and philosophy that all of them had been stopped right in their tracks.
During the high-pressure learning in the Residence of Yun at this time, they were basically moaning and groaning in torment every day. Even when there was a slight improvement, the progress was incredibly limited, close to none.
They were undeniably th Shangguan Family of Generals – they did not let the name of being a family of generals down.
"No worries. There's no hurry."
Yun Yang comforted them. "The descendants of the Shangguan Family possess the innate character of Shangguan. The reason I've placed them here is so that they can learn as much as they can. Secondly, it's to pave their way for the future. Thirdly, it's to… stretch their endurance a little further. Actually, there are still more reasons. All in all, there is only benefit, without any detriment to them."
"It's not necessary to be overly concerned about their innate temperament. After all, they'll be in the Board of War or on the battlefield after this," Yun Yang said, "Besides, the future Shangguan Family of Generals won't have that many worries!"
"No more worries…" Shangguan Lingxiu muttered and could not help the overlapping joy and sadness that surged within her.
No more worries… For how many years had the Shangguan Family of Generals been struggling with these words, like a nightmare that engulfed them. Now, it had actually been dissolved by Yun Yang. Thoroughly, there were no more worries, forever.
Recalling that Yun Yang spoke about paving their way, with the foundation these children had in the Residence of Yun now, perhaps the Shangguan Family of Generals could truly prosper with the advantage of noble titles.
Of course, the preceding condition was that they were not planning to rebel!
Without anticipating too much of the future, this really should not be an issue, by just looking at the current childhood friendship between these Shangguan children and Bao'er.
Therefore, the burdensome responsibilities that had always weighed down Shangguan Lingxiu could be lifted off of her shoulders now. The sudden presence of ease almost made her cry happy tears.
"There could be, at most, four who can really go into the battlefield among these six nephews of yours." Yun Yang delivered his voice straight to Shangguan Lingxiu. "The other two can play the role of pigs that devour the tiger. It's best for them to stay on the Board of War. You know this well enough."
You know this well enough! How could Shangguan Lingxiu not know?
She sobbed as she replied Yun Yang. "I know it, I really do. I'm already more than content now! Still, do you know… how I wish the numbers you mentioned could be reversed…"
Yun Yang was speechless.
Three of the Shangguan children went up to her furiously. "Aunty, you're crying… Who made you cry? We'll beat them up!"
There was one more child who was hesitant, pausing where he stood, pretending to be studying. There were two more who exchanged glances with each other before lowering their heads and refocused their attention on the books.
Yun Yang and Shangguan Lingxiu observed the different reactions of these six children to the sudden episode, all of them wearing contrasting expressions. Yun Yang looked deep in thought while Shangguan Lingxiu appeared to be comforted.
There was only Bao'er who rubbed his palms and fists together while saying, "Who dares bully my uncle?"
Shangguan Lingxiu rolled her eyes.
'Bully your uncle? Everyone on the continent… Is that enough?'
…
In the palace, when the emperor was done tackling national affairs, he had specifically kept Qiu Jianhan behind.
Since the war at the Fortress of Resilience, Qiu Jianhan had been in a coma. Every time His Majesty wanted to talk to someone to dispel his woes or just for a personal chat, he was always taken aback to realize that he had no one, and was lonesome for a good while.
Now that Qiu Jianhan had finally awakened and was fully recovered, the emperor was back to his old self, utterly delighted. He had summoned for the old marshal even more frequently, almost asking Old Marshal Qiu for a chat after the assembly daily.
Qiu Jianhan was bemoaning his fate. Who could take the daily overtime?
Everyone else was dismissed from work punctually, but he had to work a few additional hours… the Emperor's kindness did not seem to be too much of a great thing after all!
'Always looking for me for company, but why didn't I see you increasing my stipend? Asking for the pleasure of my company for nothing…'
Qiu Jianhan muttered inwardly but he looked wonderfully serious on the exterior. "Your Majesty, is there anything that you need?"
"I shall adhere to formal procedures strictly, without any personal feelings. Can the second prince's life be saved?" His Majesty was levelheaded and got straight to the point.