July 10, the 27th year of the Chongzhen reign. Joseon.
After more than a month of fighting, Li Xianzhong’s Eastern Route Army had completely secured Hamgyong Province and linked up with Li Dingguo’s Western Route Army at a location over one hundred *li* north of Kaesong.
Li Dingguo’s Western Route Army had achieved even greater results. They had not only taken Pyongan Province but also occupied half of Hwanghae Province, beginning to threaten the Joseon capital of Hanseong, just over two hundred *li* away. Their progress was indeed somewhat slow, but their work was exceptionally thorough. Wherever they passed, there were only the corpses of Jiannu; not a single living one remained. Furthermore, they had eliminated a significant number of local gentry—especially those who favored the Jiannu and opposed the Great Ming. As for the local tyrants and evil gentry who had oppressed the common people, they were slaughtered entirely by the Ming Army. Their wealth was "temporarily sequestered" by the Ming forces. This move not only resolved the logistical funding for the Great Army tasked with pacifying the Liaodong region but also won the support of the local populace.
Chapter 1264