On Pi Island, the officers and soldiers threw a banquet grand enough to shake the heavens.
Fine wine flowed like a small river. Meat, noodles, fresh vegetables, seafood, everything that had been scarce for months now appeared in steaming abundance. Bowls clinked, laughter rose, and for the first time in a long while, the island felt alive instead of besieged.
Men who had braced themselves to die only hours earlier now sat cross-legged on the ground, chewing loudly and laughing even louder.
Yet before long, someone noticed something strange.
"The sailors from the fleet aren't here."
"They're still out there."
Indeed, beyond the harbor, the ships of Gao Family Village remained at sea. Lanterns glowed along their decks as they slowly cruised around Pi Island, maintaining patrol.
A Pi Island soldier ran to the shore and cupped his hands around his mouth.
"Brothers on the ships, why aren't you coming ashore to eat?"
A sailor leaned over the railing and grinned.
"If we all go drink, what happens if the Manchus turn back? Someone has to keep watch."
The soldier onshore froze.
The sailor continued in a relaxed tone, "You've guarded this island for years. Tonight, eat properly. Drink properly. Even get drunk if you want. We'll stand guard for one night. Tomorrow you wake up fresh and take over."
The island soldier's throat tightened.
"Brothers… thank you."
Behind him, another wave of cheers exploded into the night.
"Drink!"
"Fill it up again!"
The scent of wine and roasted meat drifted across the sea breeze.
---
Across the waters, outside Han City.
Huang Taiji listened to Ajige's report in silence, his face dark as iron.
Nearly ten thousand men lost in one engagement.
For the Qing, whose population was already thin compared to the vast Ming, that number was not merely statistics. It was bone and blood.
Huang Taiji felt as if someone had stabbed him directly in the chest.
After a long silence, he waved his hand.
"Leave Pi Island for now."
Ajige lifted his head.
"Until we possess a navy capable of true sea warfare, we will not touch it again. Another defeat like this… we cannot afford."
He paused, then suddenly pulled out a copy of Romance of the Three Kingdoms. He flipped through it and tapped a page.
"Observe. When Cao Cao marched south, he suffered a crushing defeat at Red Cliffs. He withdrew. Yet did the State of Wei fail to unify the realm in the end? No. A retreat is not surrender. It is consolidation."
Ajige blinked. "Even retreat requires… an operation name?"
"Of course," Huang Taiji said seriously. "Retreat is also an art. We shall call this Operation Cao Army Retreat."
Ajige's expression twitched slightly, but he nodded. "Your Majesty is wise."
Huang Taiji continued, "After Red Cliffs, Cao Cao left Zhang Liao to guard Xiaoyao Ford and stabilize the situation. I will do the same. Leave a garrison in Dandong to pin down Pi Island. Tie them in place."
Ajige bowed. "Understood."
Thus the Qing army withdrew.
---
News reached the Joseon court soon after.
When King Li Zong heard the report, he nearly leapt from his throne.
"They withdrew? Truly withdrew?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Pi Island still stands."
Li Zong's eyes shone.
"There is hope. We still have hope. If the Qing falter… perhaps we can return to Ming vassalage. Perhaps we still have a path."
For a king balancing between submission and survival, that glimmer of possibility was priceless.
---
Meanwhile, far to the west in the Xuan-Da region.
Huokou.
With the heavy financial backing of imperial merchant Tie Niaofei, the Huokou Horse Market was finally complete.
It covered several acres. Rows of sheds stood in orderly lines, practical and efficient. Gao Family Village's expertise in organizing markets had been fully applied.
Now came the crucial question.
What to trade for horses?
Lu Xiangheng still felt uneasy about the so-called egg-yolk pastries Tie Niaofei had previously suggested. Sweet pastries for warhorses? It sounded absurd.
So he prepared proper goods.
Salt.
Tea.
Iron pots.
The three eternal treasures of the grasslands. For generations, Mongol herdsmen had treated these items as hard currency. They were placed prominently at the market entrance, displayed proudly on the first row of stalls.
Tie Niaofei did not argue.
He quietly carried his egg-yolk pastries to the innermost corner.
Early the next morning, a scout burst into Xuan-Da Command headquarters.
"Bad news! Governor-General! The Mongol leader Qitan is advancing with cavalry spread forty li wide. They are clearly heading for Huokou. It looks like a raid to seize the market goods!"
Lu Xiangheng shot upright from bed.
"What?"
He barely had time to finish dressing before shouting orders.
"Notify all regional commanders. Mobilize immediately. Prepare to engage!"
The Xuanfu and Datong garrisons sprang into action. Nearly ten thousand troops assembled and marched toward Huokou at full speed.
As they advanced, Lu Xiangheng constantly demanded updates.
"Have the Mongols entered the pass?"
"Almost."
"Faster. Move faster."
Another report arrived.
"General Wang Pu of Datong has reached Huokou first and formed battle lines outside the north gate."
Lu Xiangheng exhaled in relief.
"Wang Pu is dependable. No wonder he once defeated the Manchus decisively. Record this merit."
He arranged for Yunyang and Jinyang to secure their own jurisdictions while remaining ready to reinforce.
Finally, Lu Xiangheng himself reached Huokou and deployed his forces outside the market.
The ground trembled.
From the northern horizon came the thunder of hooves.
An immense Mongol cavalry force approached, stretching beyond sight.
Each rider had one mount beneath him and two spare horses in tow, provisions tied behind the saddles. This was the configuration of a deep raid, the kind that plunged into enemy territory for weeks of plunder.
Lu Xiangheng raised his hand.
"Prepare for battle."
Sweat soaked through armor. Fingers tightened on crossbows.
The Mongol mass drew closer.
Closer.
Lu Xiangheng braced for a storm of arrows.
Then, suddenly, the vast formation halted.
Only one rider broke forward.
He galloped alone toward the Ming lines until within shouting distance.
It was Qitan.
He cupped his hands and roared, "Lu Xiangheng, you liar! You told us you opened a horse market here where we could buy egg-yolk pastries. My entire tribe came, families included, and instead you line up an army to ambush us? You Han are too cunning!"
Lu Xiangheng, who had been about to shout "Loose arrows," froze.
"What did you say?"
"You tricked us!"
"You came to invade, did you not?"
Qitan looked offended. "Invade? Do you think I have the courage to invade you Han? Have you forgotten your great iron chariots that run people flat?"
Lu Xiangheng stared blankly. "What iron chariots running people flat?"
Qitan pointed back at his forces.
"Look carefully at what my people are carrying."
Lu Xiangheng squinted.
Behind Qitan, the vast cavalry did not form attack ranks.
They carried bundles.
Children rode behind warriors. Women followed on spare mounts. Saddlebags bulged not with arrows ready for battle, but with trade goods.
Lu Xiangheng's mind stalled.
Qitan shouted again, "Are you opening a horse market, or are you planning to fight?"
Lu Xiangheng lowered his raised hand slowly.
"…This official is opening a horse market."
Qitan narrowed his eyes.
"You are not lying again?"