[5] Motivated by the threat posed by a strong, unified Mongol state under Dzungar rule, the Kangxi Emperor began preparations to defeat Galdan.

Galdan managed to escape to the upper Kherlen River, about 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) northwest of Beijing, where he and his army encamped for the next six years.

In March 1696, the Kangxi Emperor departed Beijing, personally leading 80,000 Eight Banner and Green Standard Army troops[7] and 235 cannon on camel back on an 80-day trek northwest across the Gobi Desert to confront Galdan.

The Kangxi Emperor reached the Kherlen river on June 7, discovered Galdan had fled, and was forced to turn back due to dwindling supplies.

Defeated, Galdan fled west to the Altai mountains with his remaining guard of 40 or 50 men but died of disease on April 4, 1697, near Khovd.

The Kangxi Emperor's victory at Jao Modo represented the first time the Qing military had successfully tamed warring tribes at its frontier.