Chapter 165 The Ultimate Weapon
The neatly arranged soldiers took down the long guns hanging on their shoulders and fired at the solid targets in the distance. After three shots, only a lone pole remained in the distance, and the straw target above it had long since turned to ashes.
Before anyone could react, the spearmen retreated, and the soldiers carrying strange longbows stepped forward, lit the tiny fuses on their arrows, and shot them at the newly erected scarecrow. With a bang, the scarecrow shattered into pieces, and its remaining body was reduced to ashes in the raging flames.
"Plop..."
In the deathly silent stands, the sounds of terrified swallowing were all the more distinct. Those watching the military exercise finally understood why they had gone to all the trouble of providing seats; witnessing the power of the firearms, they were truly trembling and unsteady on their feet.
Batur, who was arrogant and domineering because of his reliance on the military strength of the Dzungars, was now sweating profusely and looked anxiously at Galdan Tsering, trying to get some instructions.
But at this moment, Galdan Tsering had no interest in Batur's thoughts. He gripped the armrest tightly, and no matter how hard he tried to hide it, he couldn't conceal his ugly expression. He finally understood what the Qing court's confidence was all about.
A piercing alarm sounded in his mind, and Galdan Tsering felt endless regret and fear about his secret mission. Had the Yongzheng Emperor really intended to let him go after witnessing the power of firearms so openly?
"Slap, slap, slap"
Someone started clapping, and everyone instinctively followed suit. However, the Qing Dynasty's officials and allies had rosy cheeks and thunderous applause, while those who were at odds with the Qing Dynasty were pale, feeling as if each clap was taking their lives, yet they had no choice but to clap.
After the display of muskets and firearms ended, the soldiers who had initially waved the tall, bright yellow flags began running around the field again. Everyone thought the military exercise was over, so applause continued.
The applause gradually subsided only after Yinzhen stood up.
At this moment, a group of guards came up from below the stage carrying trays, on which was placed a long, cylindrical metal object that was smaller at the top and larger at the bottom.
"Gentlemen, there is one last item left in this military exercise. Please raise your binoculars and look into the distance."
Upon hearing Yinzhen's words, the crowd stirred slightly. Was it not over yet? Looking around, they saw a guard approaching from each position carrying a tray. Out of curiosity, everyone picked up the device called a "telescope" and, with the guard's explanation, placed it over their eyes, opening one eye and closing the other, aiming it at the distance.
The distant mountains and the army at their foot were clearly visible. Everyone was astonished. They took it down and picked it up again, repeatedly. When they looked at the inconspicuous little thing in their hands, they were filled with amazement and desire.
Galdan Tsering looked at the binoculars in his hand, his expression solemn. He knew all too well how useful such an object was on the battlefield. It was lightweight and easy to carry, the only drawback being that it could only be used with one eye. But that was insignificant compared to the function of a telescope.
Of course, he didn't know that a binocular telescope had been designed early in the morning, but he just didn't intend to show all the good stuff.
After giving everyone some time to adjust, the flags in the distance began to wave. Yinzhen understood and raised the binoculars again: "Gentlemen, please look!"
"Bang—"
Like the roar of an ancient beast, even from this distance, everyone felt the chilling aura emanating from it. Through the telescope, the distant mountains seemed to collapse right before their eyes, the earth trembled, and dust billowed everywhere.
As the smoke cleared, revealing the crumbling, broken mountainside, it felt as if the cannon had struck them directly; their legs gave way, and they slid down the slope. A deep sense of regret arose for defying the Qing Dynasty.
It was as if the Thunder God was enraged, and divine power descended from the sky. With such a powerful weapon in the Qing Dynasty, what future could the Dzungar Khanate possibly have?
Galdan Tsering remained frozen in place, gazing into the distance. He felt a pang of nausea and sighed deeply. This wasn't a matter of him being unable to return; with such powerful weapons, the Dzungar Khanate would be annihilated. Even Tsarist Russia—if its firearms capabilities were comparable to those of those who sponsored them, then Tsarist Russia wouldn't need to even consider encroaching on Qing territory.
"Sue for peace!" This was Galdan Tseren's first reaction after watching the artillery fire. Under the wrath of Heaven, who could harbor the thought of resisting? Only by seeking peace could the people of the Dzungar Khanate be saved, and only then could there be a chance to wait for the future.
"Your Highness, what do you think of the Qing Dynasty's army and people?"
After the first shot, the military exercise officially ended, but no one dared to move around. It wasn't until Yinzhen smiled and waved to Galdan Tsering that everyone stiffly turned their gaze to Galdan Tsering, like wind-up puppets.
"The majesty of Heaven is awe-inspiring and awe-inspiring."
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Galdan Tsering stepped forward with difficulty, expressing his submission through his actions and attitude.
“I think so too,” Yinzhen said without any politeness or modesty, staring at Galdan Tsering and asking with a smile, “Is the eldest prince’s opinion the opinion of the Dzungars?”
Galdan Tsering's heart sank. He knew that the Yongzheng Emperor wanted him to make a statement on the spot, leaving him no way out. For the sake of the Dzungar's future, Galdan Tsering gritted his teeth and admitted, "The Dzungars have always respected the Qing Dynasty, so my father Khan specially sent me to the capital to show goodwill..."
"Urgent report from the Northwest—"
"Lobzang Danjin, the leader of Qinghai, has betrayed the cause and fled to Jungar!"
Galdan Tsering's expression changed drastically in an instant. Why did Lobsang Danjin betray him when he was seeking peace with the Qing Dynasty? And what was the meaning of him going to the Dzungar Khanate?
"Your Majesty, it's all a misunderstanding. The Dzungars will not harbor rebels."
Galdan Tsering didn't care about anything else. He knelt down in front of everyone and began to explain.
Yinzhen's smile vanished, and he stared at him coldly for a moment: "I hope the Dzungars and the First Prince are of one mind. Guards, return to the palace!"
No one expected that the military exercise would end with news of a rebellion in Qinghai. Watching the emperor and his entourage depart, the remaining Mongol princes looked at each other, expressing sympathy for Lobsang Danjin and wishing him well.
As for the Dzungars... everyone glanced at Galdan Tsering, whose face was pale, and said nothing more, but simply avoided him when they left.
When Yinzhen and his entourage returned to the palace, they weren't particularly alarmed by the news of Lobsang Danjin's rebellion. After all, they had known about it for a while; they had simply released it today to justify their actions. Although they had already launched their attack, they still needed to establish the reputation of a righteous army.
As for who was actually sent, we can tell just by looking at the lively scene and the fact that the Fourteenth Prince didn't even appear. Yinzhen had long ago dispatched the Fourteenth Prince, Yunzhen, as the main general, with the Governor-General of Sichuan and Shaanxi, Nian Gengyao, and the Sichuan Provincial Commander, Yue Zhongqi, as his deputies, to cooperate in suppressing the rebellion.
However, Prince Zhi, who was dissatisfied, had other important matters to attend to, and after the military exercise, he was sent by Yinzhen to conduct the exercise in another location.
The military exercise is not the end, but a brand new beginning, and the entire government is now running at high speed.
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