Hongwu Northern Expeditions and Northern Frontier Management

Timeline

1. 1391Heiling, Hanshan, Molianzi Lake (beyond the Liaodong frontier) · Northern ChinaIn the third month of Hongwu 24, the Yuan Lüwang Azhshili raided the frontier. The Ming founder ordered Duke of Ying Fu Youde to lead Guo Ying and other generals on a campaign; in the fifth month they reached the route of King Hazhe Sheli, first feigning a withdrawal before pressing deep into Heiling, Yashan, and the Taoer River in pursuit. In the seventh month they again campaigned from Heiling and Hanshan to Molianzi Lake and Lanjian Mountain, surprise-attacking the Jadu tribes and returning with great spoils.
2. 1391Hami · XinjiangIn the eighth month of Hongwu 24, Hami raided the frontier, and the Ming court ordered commanders Song Sheng and Liu Zhen to lead forces against it. In the ninth month they took Hami, capturing Prince Bebieke, Binwang Sanglishige, and Councillor Yueshan, killing Duke Aduozhi, and taking 1,300 captives, intimidating the tribes of the Western Regions.
3. 1392Handong and Azhenzhou among the Western tribes · QinghaiIn the fourth month of Hongwu 25, Duke of Liang Lan Yu led troops pursuing the fleeing raider Qizhesun and advanced on Handong among the Western tribes. In the fifth month his forces reached Handong, and he dispatched commander Song Sheng and others to subdue Azhenzhou; the local chieftain Hejiu and others fled, further extending the depth of Ming defenses in the northwest.