When the good news reached the capital, it was during the morning court session.

Chief eunuch Su Peisheng, carrying an urgent military report delivered over 800 li (approximately 400 kilometers), rushed into the main hall shouting "Great Victory in the Northwest!" causing an uproar among the court officials.

Minister of War Li Xianfu received the military report, his hands trembling slightly, and read it aloud: "The allied forces of Yue Zhongqi and Yunti annihilated the main force of the Dzungars of 50,000 at Eagle's Beak Cliff, burned their royal court, and Tsewang Arabtan fled with only seventeen horsemen! The northwestern frontier can be pacified in ten years!"

The imperial court instantly erupted in chaos.

With tears welling in his eyes, Zhang Tingyu prostrated himself and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty is wise! The achievement in this battle is comparable to that of the Holy Ancestor in pacifying Galdan!"

The officials knelt down and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

Emperor Yongzheng sat upright on the dragon throne, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest. Although his face remained calm, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

He slowly spoke: "This is the merit of the soldiers who risked their lives. Issue an imperial decree: Yue Zhongqi is promoted to First-Class Duke of Loyalty and Bravery, Yunti is granted the salary of a double prince, all soldiers who participated in the battle are promoted one rank, and the three armies are rewarded!"

---

Inside Yanxi Palace

Lin Yun was teaching Hong Yao to read when she suddenly heard a commotion of footsteps outside the palace gate.

Chunlan rushed in, her face beaming with joy: "Your Majesty, a great victory at the front! The Emperor is on his way here!" Before she finished speaking, Yongzheng had already strode into the hall, the gold thread embroidery on his black dragon robe gleaming in the sunlight.

He scooped up Hongyao, who was rushing towards him, and laughed loudly, "Good son, your father has earned you a peaceful and prosperous country!"

Hongyao wrapped his arms around Yongzheng's neck, his voice still childish but clear: "Father Emperor is wise and mighty!"

Yongzheng was taken aback, then burst into laughter, turning to Lin Yun and saying, "This child is only two years old, yet he has learned all the words!"

Lin Yun smiled faintly, "He talks about Father Emperor every day."

Emperor Yongzheng was in a very good mood and pinched Hongyao's cheek: "In that case, I will bestow upon you the title of Beizi today, how about it?"

Lin Yun was startled and hurriedly tried to decline, but Yongzheng waved his hand and said, "My son deserves it."

He carried Hongyao to the corridor, pointed to the northwest and said, "When you grow up, if the Dzungars dare to offend again, you will go and deal with them for your father!"

Hongyao seemed to understand but not quite, yet he clenched his little fist and nodded vigorously: "Your subject obeys the decree!"

This made Emperor Yongzheng laugh again.

Hall of Mental Cultivation

That night, Yongzheng summoned his trusted confidants, including Zhang Tingyu and Ortai, for a secret meeting.

In the flickering candlelight, he unfolded a map of the Northwest, his fingertip tracing heavily across Eagle's Beak Cliff: "Although we have won this battle, Cewang is not dead, and he will always be a threat." Ortai pondered, "Your Majesty, why not take advantage of the situation and send troops straight to Ili?"

Zhang Tingyu shook his head: "Our army has consumed more than half of its food supplies, and the aftermath of the Gansu earthquake has not yet subsided. It is probably not a good time to launch an expedition now."

Yongzheng narrowed his eyes and suddenly asked, "Is there any news of Ce Wang from the Imperial Guard?"

In the shadows, the commander of the Sticky Rod Office stepped forward, bowing: "A scout reports that Tsewang fled to the Kazakh tribe seeking help, but the Kazakh Khan refused to let him in."

Yongzheng sneered: "A stray dog ​​is nothing to worry about. Issue an edict to the border: build fortifications and cultivate land, hold out for ten years. Once the national treasury is full, we will wipe out the Western Regions in one fell swoop!"

The officials accepted the order. Yongzheng then picked up his vermilion brush and wrote a small line on Yue Zhongqi's memorial requesting merit: "The merits of the Firearms Battalion should be greatly expanded."

Zhang Tingyu understood and whispered, "I have ordered the Thirteen Factories of Guangdong to expedite the procurement of Western cannons."

Emperor Yongzheng nodded, his eyes piercing: "What I want is for the Dzungars to tremble with fear at the mere mention of 'Qing firearms'!"

Consort Yu was having a meal with Hongzhou when she suddenly heard that an imperial edict had arrived.

The mother and son hurriedly received the imperial decree, only to learn that Emperor Yongzheng was bestowing great honors upon the six palaces in recognition of the great victory in the Northwest. Consort Yu was promoted to Imperial Concubine Yu, and Hongzhou was granted the title of Beile. As soon as the eunuch delivering the decree left, Hongzhou muttered to himself, "Fourth Brother just had an accident, and Father Emperor is already giving such a generous reward... Could it be..."

Consort Yu covered his mouth and said sternly, "Foolish! Thunder and rain are both imperial favors. If you dare to speak recklessly again, even your mother cannot protect you!"

She looked towards Yanxi Palace and sighed softly.

Lin Yun was not only enjoying the Emperor's favor, but now Hong Yao had also received a title, while she and her son... She clenched her handkerchief and forced a smile, saying, "Tomorrow, come with me to congratulate the Imperial Concubine. Remember, make your smile genuine." Hong Zhou pursed his lips, but finally nodded.

---

Beijing Streets and Alleys

The good news spread throughout the city, and the people spontaneously decorated the city with lanterns and colorful decorations.

In the teahouse, the storyteller slammed his gavel, spittle flying as he spoke: "Then General Yue feigned defeat, luring the Dzungars into Eagle's Beak Cliff. Suddenly, rockets roared from the cliff top, and logs and rocks rained down like rain—"

The audience held their breath, and when they heard that Yunti had launched a surprise attack on the royal court, they erupted in thunderous cheers.

An old man wiped away his tears and said, "The unfinished business of our Holy Ancestor has been accomplished by His Majesty. Heaven blesses the Great Qing!"

At the Gansu disaster relief center, an imperial envoy is distributing winter clothing made under the supervision of Yanxi Palace.

An old woman stroked the fine stitches on the garment, choking back tears, and said, "The ladies in the palace are so precious, yet they stay up all night making clothes for us..."

The boy beside her took a bite of hot porridge and suddenly said, "Grandma, when I grow up, I want to join the army and protect our country!"

Those around him echoed his sentiments, the firelight illuminating their resolute faces.

The moonlight was as clear as water as Emperor Yongzheng and Lin Yun sat facing each other, playing chess.

Hongyao was fast asleep in his wet nurse's arms, still clutching the gilded bow that Emperor Yongzheng had bestowed upon him.

Lin Yun placed a piece on the board and said softly, "The disaster victims in Gansu have been properly resettled, but I was thinking that if we could teach them how to grow drought-resistant crops, perhaps..."

Emperor Yongzheng paused, holding the black chess piece, and looked up with a smile, saying, "My beloved concubine and I have the same idea. I have already ordered people to bring sweet potato seeds from Fujian, and they will be sent to the Northwest tomorrow."

He suddenly grasped Lin Yun's hand: "You have handled the affairs of the inner palace very well. Consort Yu came to express her gratitude today, and she was much more respectful than usual." Lin Yun lowered her eyes: "It is only right that sisters live in harmony."

Yongzheng gave her a meaningful look, but ultimately said nothing more.