Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, candlelight shone brightly.
Emperor Yongzheng sat upright behind his desk, his expression solemn.
A military map of the northwestern border was laid out on the table, densely marked with mountains, rivers, and troop positions.
Minister of War Li Xianfu, Grand Councilor Zhang Tingyu, Prince Yi Yunxiang, and Grand Minister of Agriculture Wang Yueting stood solemnly on both sides, creating a dignified atmosphere.
“My dear ministers,” Yongzheng said in a deep voice, “Yue Zhongqi has repelled the Dzungar vanguard, but Tsewang Arabtan’s ambitions have not died, and his 50,000 troops are still eyeing the border with predatory intent.”
"I summoned you here to discuss a foolproof plan to annihilate the main force of the Dzungars in one fell swoop and eliminate future troubles!"
Li Xianfu stepped forward, clasped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the Dzungars' southward march this time is intended to take advantage of the disaster and plunder, and they will not stay long."
If our army engages them head-on, they might quickly flee north upon realizing the situation is unfavorable, making a complete annihilation difficult. Perhaps—"
He pointed to a valley on the map, "Let them enter the heart of Gansu, lure them deep in, then cut off their retreat, surround and annihilate them!"
Zhang Tingyu nodded slightly: "Lord Li's plan is excellent. The Dzungar cavalry are good at field battles, but not at siege warfare."
After the earthquake in Gansu, many cities were left in ruins, which would serve as bait. Once they penetrated deeper, our army could use artillery battalions to blockade the valleys, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy.
Yunxiang stared at the map and added, "Your Majesty, I suggest that Yue Zhongqi feign defeat and abandon several insignificant strongholds, so that the Dzungars will think that our army has dispersed its forces due to disaster relief."
Once their main force is fully encircled, then order the fourteenth brother, Yunti, to lead the Tibetan garrison to cut off their retreat from the west, thus forming a complete encirclement.
With a sharp gaze, Yongzheng lightly tapped the table with his fingers: "Lure the enemy deep into our territory, cut off their retreat... This plan is feasible."
But we must ensure everything goes perfectly. My dear Wang, are the provisions and supplies sufficient?
Wang Yueting bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the granaries in Shaanxi and Shanxi have ample reserves, enough to support the army for three months. I have ordered people to expedite the transportation to ensure that there are no worries about supplies at the front."
Yongzheng nodded, then looked at Li Xianfu: "How is the firearms battalion's combat strength now?"
Li Xianfu confidently stated, "The flintlock muskets have been equipped throughout the army, and their range and power far surpass those of the Dzungar muskets and bows. As long as the terrain is favorable, we will surely be able to suppress the enemy's charge."
After a moment of contemplation, Yongzheng suddenly pointed to a strategic pass on the map: "This place is called 'Eagle Beak Cliff,' with steep mountains on both sides and only enough space for ten riders to pass side by side in the middle."
If the main force of the Dzungars is lured here, and then their flanks are sealed off by artillery battalions, even an army of 100,000 would be unable to escape!
Zhang Tingyu's eyes lit up: "Your Majesty is wise! Eagle Beak Cliff is indeed an excellent ambush site."
Your servant suggests that a small force be sent to disguise themselves as disaster victims and spread rumors at the cliff, claiming that the Qing army is short of troops due to disaster relief efforts.
The Dzungars are known for their arrogance; they will surely fall into their trap.
Yunxiang added, "We also need to secretly order Yue Zhongqi to poison the water sources along the way—not enough to kill, but enough to weaken the enemy's fighting strength. At the same time, we should send light cavalry to constantly harass their flanks, keeping them constantly on the move."
A cold glint flashed in Yongzheng's eyes: "Good! Do it this way. Li Xianfu, you immediately draft an edict: order Yue Zhongqi to feign a retreat, abandoning some of the grain and supplies along the way, to lure the enemy to Eagle's Beak Cliff;
Yunzhi led 20,000 elite Tibetan troops, bypassing the Altun Mountains, and directly attacking the Dzungar's retreat route; the artillery battalion ambushed them on the cliff tops, waiting for half the enemy to pass through before unleashing a barrage of rolling logs and rocks, followed by a volley of flintlock musket fire to annihilate them completely!
Li Xianfu solemnly accepted the order: "Your subject obeys!"
Yongzheng then looked at Wang Yueting: "The dispatch of grain and fodder must be kept secret, and the enemy must not be allowed to discover our intentions."
Wang Yueting solemnly agreed.
Zhang Tingyu pondered and said, "Your Majesty, the key to this battle lies in timing."
If the Dzungars fail to fall into our trap soon, or if they become alerted prematurely, unforeseen circumstances may arise. I suggest sending more spies from the Imperial Guard to infiltrate the enemy ranks, spread false intelligence, and accelerate their advance.”
Emperor Yongzheng approved, saying, "Approved! This matter shall be personally overseen by the commander of the Sticky Rod Office."
He surveyed the crowd, his tone chilling, "This battle is crucial to the peace of the Northwest for the next ten years. Anyone who leaks information will be executed without mercy!"
The crowd solemnly agreed.
Three days later, at the Northwest Camp.
Upon receiving the secret order, Yue Zhongqi summoned all his generals overnight.
Inside the tent, he pointed to the map and said, "The Emperor has ordered that our army must abandon the strongholds of Suzhou and Liangzhou and feign a retreat."
Zhao Hu, you will lead three thousand men to cover the rear, abandoning damaged armor along the way and feigning panic.
Zhao Hu asked doubtfully, "General, are you really going to abandon the city?"
Yue Zhongqi sneered: "This is a trap. Li Tiezhu, you will lead the musket battalion to secretly move to Eagle's Beak Cliff, dig trenches on the mountaintop, and prepare plenty of rolling logs and stones. Remember, the entire army must remain concealed, and not a single spark must be emitted!"
Li Tiezhu clasped his hands in a fist salute: "This subordinate understands!"
Yue Zhongqi then pointed out another trusted confidant: "Wang Meng, you will lead 500 light cavalry to harass the flanks of the Dzungars day and night, specifically targeting their grain convoys."
Remember, defeat is the only acceptable outcome; victory is not an option. We must make Tsewang Arabtan believe our army is utterly vulnerable!
The generals accepted the order and departed.
Yue Zhongqi stood alone outside the tent, gazing northwest and muttering, "Tsewang Arabtan, this time I'll make sure you don't leave alive!"
Tibet Camp.
Upon receiving the imperial edict, Yunti slapped the table and laughed heartily: "Good! Finally, I can stretch my muscles!"
He immediately mustered 20,000 elite troops and ordered: "The entire army should be lightly armed, carrying only ten days' worth of dry rations."
We'll depart tomorrow at dawn, stealthily traversing the northern foothills of the Altun Mountains, heading straight for the Junggar stronghold!
The lieutenant said worriedly, "Fourteenth Prince, the road to the Altun Mountains is treacherous. If we encounter wind and snow..."
Yunti glared: "What are you afraid of? Back when I followed Father Emperor to fight Galdan, we traveled much more dangerous roads than this! Pass down the order: everyone should carry an extra bundle of ropes, climb mountains when you encounter them, and build bridges when you encounter streams!"
That night, Yunzhi wrote to Yongzheng: "Your subject will certainly live up to your trust and will definitely behead Tsewang Arabtan and present his head to you!"
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