Chapter 65 The Defeat of Jungar

The palace banquet ended joyfully with the news of Empress Fucha Langhua's pregnancy.

At this point, no one cared about Qingying's embarrassment anymore; the entire royal family was overjoyed by the arrival of the next generation.

Because of her pregnancy, Fucha Langhua was completely relieved, knowing that the trouble Sulian had caused was over.

As long as she doesn't make any mistakes and acts as a good primary wife, everything will be alright.

On the 26th day of the sixth month of the sixth year of the Yongzheng reign, the eldest son of Prince Bao was born, and immediately after his birth, he was given a name by the emperor.

The name Yonglian was derived from the phrase "a vessel of ancestral temples." The character "Lian" implies the inheritance of ancestral vessels and the succession to the throne. It can be said that this name indirectly proves Hongli's status as the "hidden crown prince."

The birth of this child further solidified Fucha Langhua's position as the primary consort.

In the same year, Prince Bao's mansion welcomed two princesses, Su Lüyun and Chen Wanyin, representing the Han Chinese power in Jiangnan, and Jin Yuyan, a tribute girl representing the Yu family.

In the seventh year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign, Tongjia Zhilan gave birth to Hongli's eldest daughter, Jingning.

In the eighth year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign, Consort Fucha Langhua gave birth to her eldest daughter, Jingse, and Consort Gao Xiyue gave birth to her second son, Yonghuang. Consort Gao Xiyue was promoted to the rank of concubine.

In the same year, Prince Hongli and his cousins ​​went hunting near Lingyun Peak on the outskirts of Beijing and rescued a large man who had been bitten by a snake. After identification, the man was found to be Moge, the son of the Khan of the Dzungar Khanate, and a strong contender for the next Khan.

Emperor Yongzheng was overjoyed. The Dzungars were ambitious and had always been wary of the Qing Dynasty's territory. Now that Moge was in their hands, it was clear that the Dzungars were in the midst of internal strife. This was a perfect opportunity to completely subjugate this steppe tribe.

Hongli volunteered to go to the battlefield, but Yongzheng refused. He asked three times and was refused each time. In the end, Yongzheng could not persuade Hongli to give up. He appointed Prince Xun as the commander-in-chief and Prince Bao, Hongli, as the military supervisor. After giving him several instructions, Yongzheng sent the two of them out of the capital.

Speed ​​is of the essence in war. Yunzhen and his nephew Hongli worked together to launch a surprise attack, taking advantage of the power struggle and division within the Dzungar Khanate to seize them in one fell swoop.

In the ninth year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign, the Dzungar Khanate completely submitted, and the puppet Khan Moge, who had been installed by the Qing court, was about to return to the capital with the army to pay homage.

...

"Mother, when is Father coming back?"

Four-year-old Yonglian held Shuanghua in his own arms while Lianxin picked him up and made him peer out the window.

Fucha Langhua twisted her handkerchief and couldn't help but look out the window of the restaurant towards the city gate: "It's almost here, almost here, we'll be entering the city soon."

Hongli had been on campaign with the army for nearly a year, and Fucha Langhua was worried about him. So when she learned that the army was entering the city today, she couldn't help but take Yonglian out of the mansion.

The other children in the household were all too young, and the women were not suitable to come out due to their status. Although she didn't want to bring them along, in the end, only she and Yonglian remained in the private room of the restaurant facing the street.

"They're back! They're back!"

Cheers erupted from the crowd downstairs, and Fucha Langhua looked over excitedly. Sure enough, a large army entered through the city gate, with two men riding tall horses at the head of the procession.

Although they were far apart, Fucha Langhua recognized Hongli at a glance.

She took Yonglian from Lianxin's hands and excitedly pointed him out: "Yonglian, look, that's Father."

"Father!"

Little Yonglian had almost forgotten what his father looked like. But perhaps it was the pull of blood, looking at the figure riding on horseback, Yonglian couldn't help but feel a deep longing to get closer, and he couldn't help but wave and shout, "Father! Father!"

As if sensing something, Hongli, who was passing by downstairs, looked up and met the gazes of Fucha Langhua and Yonglian. He smiled gently.

“Father saw me, Father saw me.”

Yonglian smiled happily at Fucha Langhua, who returned the smile, "Yes, Father has seen our little Yonglian. Come, Mother will take you back to the manor, Father will be able to go back soon."

"Okay, Yonglian needs to see Father as soon as possible."

Don't worry, you'll see him soon.

Fucha Langhua thought of Hongli she had just seen; he was taller, thinner, and darker-skinned. But he also possessed a more resolute air about him, which made her even more attracted to him.

...

"Your subject greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty be blessed with ten thousand years of happiness and peace."

"Very well, now that you're back, I'm at ease."

Yongzheng helped Hongli up with great effort, while the fourteenth prince, who had been standing nearby, had already been sent to see the Empress Dowager. Now that the father and son were reunited, Yongzheng felt that his deep paternal love finally had a place to be expressed.

Looking at Hongli's face, she sighed with a mixture of pride and heartache, "You've gotten darker and thinner."

Hongli replied with a smile, "Your Majesty, I've become stronger and taller."

"Yes, yes, yes," Yongzheng patted his shoulder affectionately, "and you've grown taller too."

"Subduing the Dzungars is a great achievement. Hongli, you have truly surprised and delighted me."

"Father, you flatter me. If it weren't for your early decision and seizing of the opportunity, this battle wouldn't have gone so smoothly. Besides, I was just a military supervisor; it was my fourteenth uncle who contributed the most."

Hongli spoke modestly, but Yongzheng gave him a reproachful look, "Do you think I don't know? Your fourteenth uncle already informed me about your secret trip to the battlefield."

"Father..." Hongli looked somewhat guilty.

"I know you are concerned about the war and want to contribute to the battle. But a wise man does not stand under a dangerous wall. Hongli, your father has high expectations for you. Do not make your father worry anymore."

Yongzheng had practically made it clear, and Hongli looked ashamed, unmoved by the "expectation" in his words, only looking at Yongzheng with guilt and worry.

"It is my fault. I have caused Father Emperor to worry. Father Emperor, please rest assured, it will not happen again."

Yongzheng nodded in satisfaction. "Alright, now that you're back safely, I won't say anything more. Go and pay your respects to the Empress Dowager and your mother; they've been worried about you."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand."

"After you've finished paying your respects, go back to your residence and rest early. There's no rush to go to the palace to report back these next few days. Wait for the state banquet in three days and relax for a few more days."

"Thank you for your concern, Father Emperor. Hongli understands."

Watching Hongli's departing figure, and seeing his towering stature that had already surpassed his own, Yongzheng felt a pang of daze and murmured softly, "Hongli has grown up..."

Su Peisheng, who was serving nearby, was startled. He felt that the emperor's words were full of complex emotions, and he, as the chief eunuch, could not figure out what the emperor meant for the moment.

Su Peisheng bowed and served him even more carefully.

...

Night fell over the magnificent palace, and inside the brightly lit palace, a lively victory celebration was underway.

The music was melodious, the singing and dancing were graceful, and Emperor Yongzheng wore a joyful smile throughout.

At this moment, Su Peisheng approached and reported: "Your Majesty, Mog is waiting outside the palace to receive an audience."

Yongzheng exchanged a smile with the princes below him and said loudly, "Let him in."

"Yes, sir."

"Summon Mog Khan to an audience—"