Chapter 178 Military Parade

Don't be fooled by how much Yinzhen and the others acted like spoiled children in front of Yinreng. Every prince who came from the palace was shrewd and calculating.

Previously, they were wary of Jebtsundamba getting close to his second brother. But they did it subtly, without making it obvious. Outsiders would at most remark on the good relationship between the Crown Prince and his brothers, but they couldn't see that they were isolating Jebtsundamba from Yinreng.

But ever since they learned that Jebtsundamba had already approached Yinreng to talk, the group openly expressed their dissatisfaction with Jebtsundamba.

As the person involved, Jebtsundamba Khutuktu naturally knew that the princes were wary of his status and feared that he would take the Buddha away.

But how to put it, he did have this idea, especially after seeing the divine beasts under the Buddha's seat wandering around the grasslands. His desire to convert the Buddha became even stronger. He was afraid of Emperor Kangxi's power, but not of these little princes.

In his eyes, these princes were all stumbling blocks to the Buddha's return to the throne, so he naturally had a rather cold and distant expression when he saw them.

This is a debate revolving around whether Yinreng is the second elder brother or the Buddhist disciple.

However, to uninformed outsiders, this appeared to be a problem in the relationship between the Qing court and the Khalkha tribes, which stirred up troublemakers.

On the fourth day of the fifth lunar month, the alliance mediation was successfully concluded in public, and the Eight Banners Army held a grand military exercise.

Around the drill ground, the banners of the Eight Banners fluttered in the wind, as if eagerly anticipating the start of this grand review.

Emperor Kangxi appeared in a smart and dashing military uniform. The exquisite dragon embroidery on the black robe shone brightly in the sunlight. He wore a golden helmet with a red tassel on the top that fluttered in the wind, which made him look even more agile and imposing.

He stepped forward steadily, took the imperial bow handed to him by a servant. The bow was sturdy, the string taut, as if it too sensed the solemnity of the day. Kangxi nocked the arrow and drew the bow in one fluid motion, his arm muscles instantly tensing, like a cheetah poised to pounce.

With a sharp "whoosh," the arrow left the bowstring, shooting straight into the bullseye in the distance like a shooting star. The shaft was still trembling slightly when cheers erupted all around, and the curtain was raised in a grand and spectacular display of force.

Emperor Kangxi rode through the middle of the area to inspect the troops, and then climbed a small hill.

The imperial tent was set up here, surrounded by numerous guards.

The princes and nobles of the Khalkha tribes arrived at the tent and stood in a line on the right; Yinreng, leading a group of princes, ministers of the Eight Banners, and commanders, stood in a line on the left, and the exercise officially began.

As the bugle sounded, the Eight Banners Army entered the field for inspection. Dressed in bright and imposing armor, their ranks were so neat and orderly that they seemed to have been cut with a knife, and they advanced steadily from afar.

The infantrymen marched with firm steps, each step causing the ground to tremble slightly. Their spears were like a forest, their tips gleaming coldly, resembling a thicket of thorns forged from steel.

The cavalrymen sat high on their horses, their posture upright, gripping the reins tightly in their hands. Their horses were well-trained, snorting and pawing the ground, yet maintaining their pace without faltering.

Within the ranks, the generals issued deep, powerful commands from time to time, and the soldiers responded in unison, their voices rolling and resounding, demonstrating the strict discipline and imposing momentum of the Eight Banners army, which greatly pleased Emperor Kangxi, who nodded repeatedly.

At this moment, the atmosphere was already extremely heated due to the preceding military parade. Regardless of anything else, the Khalkha tribes, who had officially submitted to the Qing Dynasty, admired the performance of the Eight Banners army, but were not afraid. After all, as a tribe on the grasslands, they never believed that their cavalry and warriors were inferior to others.

The Qing Dynasty negotiated with them because it valued their strength.

Until the firearms battalion appeared.

One cannon after another was dragged out, its dark barrels gleaming with a cold metallic luster in the sunlight, like giant beasts lying in wait, ready to devour their prey; the musketeers stood in neat formation, their muskets polished to a gleaming shine, gunpowder and bullets already loaded, ready for battle.

At the command, the artillery fired first, and the gunners lit the guns and retreated with skillful and efficient movements.

In an instant, a deafening roar shook the earth, thick smoke billowed from the cannons, and shells, carrying fury and destructive power, tore through the sky and hurtled toward the pre-set targets in the distance.

Wherever it passed, the air vibrated and buzzed. When the shells landed, the target area instantly exploded into huge volcanic eruptions, with sand and gravel flying everywhere, as if they had been blasted into hideous wounds.

Immediately afterwards, the musketeers shouted in unison, raised their muskets in unison, pulled the triggers, and the dense gunfire crackled and popped, like the sudden sound of firecrackers on New Year's Eve, but even more lethal.

A hail of bullets rained down like a sudden downpour, instantly riddling the target with holes and sending splinters flying.

The Khalkha princes who were watching were already immersed in the shock of this unprecedented scene. At this moment, their expressions changed drastically. Had the Qing Dynasty's firearms developed to this extent?

Those who sincerely submitted were filled with awe and couldn't help but marvel at the benevolence of Emperor Kangxi and others. They had such weapons but didn't use them, and instead negotiated with them in a gentle manner. If they still didn't cooperate, they would truly be at a loss.

Meanwhile, those with ulterior motives, who had been bought off by Russia, couldn't help but feel terrified. They wondered if Russia even had such powerful firearms, so should they still carry out their plan?

This was actually the first time he had seen Kangxi. His pupils contracted sharply. Was this the little surprise that Bao Cheng had prepared for him?

The troops sounded the retreat and marched back to the vicinity of Emperor Kangxi's location, straightened their formation, and awaited orders.

"Hahaha..." Kangxi laughed loudly, looking at the Khalkha princes on his right with their various expressions, "What do you all think? Is it pleasing to the eye?"

"..." Excessive humility is arrogance. How big must their eyes be to not take this truly earth-shattering firearm seriously?

Chahundorji respectfully stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty is so benevolent, we regret that we have submitted so late! We only wish that Your Majesty will live ten thousand years so that we may enjoy Your Majesty's great grace and the blessing of peace forever."

He also played a part in stirring up trouble. After seeing the firearms, he felt that it was quite remarkable that he had lived so long.

So, in short, Your Majesty is so merciful, please continue to be merciful, I am truly submissive, please do not strike!

The other princes also expressed their opinions, which naturally pleased and pleased Kangxi. He looked at Yinreng with a look of satisfaction and pride. As expected of his precious son, he had won over the Khalkha tribes with just one move.

In a good mood, Emperor Kangxi spoke even more gently with the princes and nobles present, which made people admire and rejoice in his benevolence.

Both sides were satisfied, and the atmosphere around the camp was harmonious and warm.

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out from the crowd, somewhat abruptly: "Your Majesty, we have just witnessed the formidable power of the Firearms Battalion, which is truly astonishing. However, we have heard rumors that your army deployed a Flying Bird Squadron in the previous battle against the Dzungars. Could you please tell us the details?"

The speaker had a seemingly friendly smile on his lips, but there was a hint of probing in his eyes.

Who? Who's so stubborn as to cause trouble at this time?

Seeing that the speaker was just a Beile from the Tushetu Khan, everyone was shocked. No, is the Tushetu Khan tribe really that tough?

But you didn't object when I asked you to apologize yesterday, but you suddenly objected after seeing the firearms today? Is this a slow reaction or is someone instigating this?

Everyone couldn't help but look at Chahundorji, the leader of the Tushetu Khan. Chahundorji hurriedly knelt down and begged for forgiveness. It really wasn't him! He was the first to jump out and make a statement. How could it be him!

"Your Highness, please don't panic. I was merely curious; it has nothing to do with the Tushetu Khanate." The troublemaking prince appeared nonchalant, but his words betrayed his fear as he tried to defend his tribe. Yet, as if something was pressing down on him, he continued to speak recklessly.

"Your Majesty, we are merely curious whether this assistance from the birds is a blessing from Heaven for Your Majesty, the Crown Prince's miraculous intervention, or a divine miracle triggered by the First Prince on the battlefield?"

The moment these words were spoken, the surrounding air instantly turned cold. Chakhundorji's face turned pale, his heart filled with rage. This was an attempt to sow discord between the emperor and his two sons! Who was it? Who had ordered him to destroy their Tushetu Khanate?

Despite Chahun Dorji's apologies, the smile on Kangxi's face vanished. He knew this man was deliberately trying to sow discord, but he wasn't angry. He simply said, "Heaven protects the Qing Dynasty, that's true. The key to victory lies in the Qing soldiers' bravery and the unity of the emperor and his subjects. As for the birds assisting..."

Kangxi glanced at Yinreng beside him. He never hesitated to declare Bao Cheng's brilliance, saying frankly, "It is Heaven's blessing upon the Crown Prince, that the Crown Prince is favored by Heaven."

Yinreng, standing to the side, met Kangxi's proud gaze and smiled calmly: "To fight for the country and its people, one relies on solid strategy and bravery. A little bit of unexpected help is just icing on the cake. But since you princes are curious, I am willing to let you see it."

"Xiao Wu".

Yinreng called out softly, and immediately Xiao Wu spread its wings and took flight, letting out a clear cry. Soon, to everyone's astonishment, countless birds flocked from all directions, circling orderly in mid-air.

As if sensing that some people harbored ill intentions, birds darted swiftly through the crowd, seemingly exposing those with malicious intent to the sunlight. The birds' sharp, cold claws grazed their faces, almost tearing their cheeks and eyes.

They fell to the ground in a sorry state, their faces pale and their legs trembling.

The others watched in utter shock, their royal status barely allowing them to stand. They couldn't help but mutter "miracle" under their breath.

Finally, Xiao Wu circled once and landed on Yinreng's shoulder. Yinreng stroked his feathers and smiled slightly: "Under the vast sky, all land belongs to the king; on the shores of the land, all people are subjects of the king. Even birds should submit to the Great Qing."