During the Yuan Dynasty, the minister Cheri Tiemuer observed that the imperial examination system, in place since the Sui and Tang dynasties, had many flaws, with very few successful candidates possessing genuine talent. He submitted a memorial to Emperor Yuan Shundi, requesting the abolition of the system. This sparked a huge reaction at court, with Grand Tutor Boyan and others supporting the move, while a large group of officials, including the counselor Xu Youren, opposed it.
At the time, Imperial Censor Lu Sincheng staunchly opposed abolishing the imperial examination system. He submitted a memorial to Emperor Shun of the Yuan Dynasty, requesting that the emperor punish Chancellor Cheri Timur for his proposal. Unexpectedly, though the emperor was known for his incompetence, he strongly favored abolishing the exams—so instead of supporting the censor, he exiled Lu Sincheng to distant Guangxi.
Soon after, Emperor Shun of the Yuan Dynasty ordered a draft decree abolishing the imperial examination system and asked his ministers to discuss it. Xu Youren and Bayan engaged in a heated debate.
Xu Youren warned, "Once the decree abolishing the imperial examinations is announced, talented people across the empire will lose their path to officialdom and will surely harbor endless resentment." Bayan retorted, "If the examination system continues, corruption and bribery will never be eradicated." Xu Youren countered, "Corruption is not caused by the examinations; even if abolished, people will still engage in graft." Bayan then remarked, "Among those who passed the exams, too few are truly useful—I see only you, Minister Xu, as having any real talent in this court."
Xu Youren, unconvinced, countered by listing numerous high-ranking officials from the Yuan Dynasty who had passed the imperial examinations, and the two argued back and forth, each unable to persuade the other.
Emperor Shun of Yuan saw this and said, "Stop arguing. My mind is made up. Tomorrow I will formally issue the imperial edict."
The next day, all civil and military officials in the city were summoned to Chongtian Gate to hear the imperial decree abolishing the civil service examination system, with Xu Youren designated to stand at the head of the ranks and listen. Xu Youren was deeply reluctant but dared not defy the emperor's command, so he had no choice but to kneel before the assembled officials and hear the decree read aloud.
After court adjourned, the officials returned to their mansions. Xu Youren, feeling dejected, walked with his head down. Imperial Censor Puhua saw him, deliberately approached, and sneered:
"Councilor, this time you've truly become someone who burns the bridge after crossing it!"
The implication behind these words was: You, Xu Youren, became an official through the imperial examinations. Now that the system is abolished, you kneel at the very front, appearing as its leading destroyer—like someone who tears down the bridge after crossing the river.
After returning to his residence, Xu Youren felt deeply troubled and, from then on, claimed illness and ceased attending court.
Later, the idiom "burning the bridge after crossing the river" came to describe someone who kicks away those who helped them once their goal is achieved.
Source: *History of Yuan*, "Biography of Chelitiemuer"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "过河拆桥" came to describe how someone who kicks away those who helped them once their goal is achieved.