The rebellion was led by Chinese officer Liu Dongyang and possibly Mongol general Pubei, who was serving in the Ming army.
The Ming army, led by Wei Xueceng, quickly regained control of the region and laid siege to the city in mid-May.
[4] Ming troops also conducted raids into Mongolia and Manchuria, burning settlements, killing rebellious leaders, and seizing livestock.
[5] At the end of the Jiajing Emperor's reign (r. 1521–1567), Pubei, a Mongol chieftain from Chahar, defected to the Chinese side with several hundred men from his household.
[4] His clan in Chahar had been causing unrest by constantly raiding their neighbors, leading to the execution of Pubei's father and older brother by the chieftain of their tribe.
[6] Known for their exceptional skills in warfare, Pubei and his horsemen were able to cover 150–200 km on horseback in a day, ambush and disperse enemy camps, and plunder cattle.
[7] Within ten years, Pubei became the regional military commissioner of Huamachi, a strategically important fortress in the northwestern borderlands southeast of Ningxia.
Dang Xin consistently denied providing equipment and supplies to Pubei's soldiers, and even had Bo Cheng'en punished for kidnapping another officer's wife.
[9] The soldiers and officers, left without resources, repeatedly protested and demanded payment for their services, as well as basic necessities such as food, clothing, and equipment.
[11] In late March 1592, the soldiers and officers who were owed money by Dang Xin became increasingly frustrated with his refusal to pay their salaries.
Led by Chinese officer Liu Dongyang (劉東暘), they rose up and killed Dang Xin and Shi Jifang,[12] and the military commander of the area was forced to commit suicide.
[9][19] The Wanli Emperor also appointed several officers and officials to suppress the rebellion, including Ma Gui, a powerful general with his own guard.
[b] Additionally, Wei Xueceng (魏學曾), a military experienced official and commander-in-chief of the three border regions, was assigned to crush the rebellion.
[15][19] Wei Xueceng acted swiftly and effectively, securing the south bank of the Yellow River, capturing key points, and recapturing the surrounding border fortresses within a few weeks.
Despite the emperor and his advisors providing additional forces, Wei Xueceng still insisted on a peaceful resolution, citing concerns for the safety of civilians in Ningxia.
[15] After discussing the situation with the supervising secretaries of the ministries and then with the ministers and censors, the emperor took a decisive stance, stating that the rebellion must be suppressed as quickly as possible,[22] especially given the ongoing Japanese invasion of Korea.
[15] On 22 May, a group of one thousand rebels, led by Pubei's son Bo Chengchong (哱承寵), attempted to join forces with the Mongols.
[15] After receiving news of the Mongols' arrival, the Ming forces withdrew, but resumed their attacks after three days and began constructing ramparts around the city in preparation for a prolonged siege.
[25] This caused criticism in Beijing, leading Mei Guozhen to suggest that Li Chengliang, the Count of Ningyuan, an experienced and respected veteran, be placed in charge of the counter-insurgency forces.
Additionally, the position of military superintendent (tidu) was typically reserved for officials, and Li Chengliang was already retired and living in distant Liaodong.
[26] The emperor ultimately appointed Li Chengliang as military superintendent and Mei Guozhen as his assistant with the title of army inspecting censor for Ningxia.
[27] Even the Ming army was facing challenges due to a shortage of iron, wood, and skilled craftsmen needed to make and repair weapons.
[23] Meanwhile, the Japanese were attacking Korea, and the emperor was disgusted by the pacifist stance of Wei Xueceng, who tried to appease the Mongols with titles and bribes and sought to negotiate with the rebels.
[27] Meanwhile, in Korea, the Korean king fled to the northern border of his country at Uiju on the Yalu River and sought asylum in Ming Liaodong.
The rebels' attempt to establish contact with the Mongols failed when the Ming captured and executed Pubei's envoy, who was also his adopted son, along with 29 soldiers.
Li Rusong then sent Ma Gui and Dong Yiyuan (董一元) to attack Bushugtu, and they successfully occupied the passes east of the city.
[29] A large part of the troops from Ningxia was sent to Korea, including Li Rusong, who was appointed supreme commander of the Eastern Expedition to chastise the Japanese.