walled town of Yeongbyeon (Yŏngby'ŏn), a natural fortress, was a notable exception to the success in the east. The army discovered a rebel network in the town before an attack by the rebels could be mounted, and the leaders were executed. Government troops from Guseong (Kusŏng) also arrived and successfully defended the town. In addition, the failure to move swiftly to Anju allowed time for a regional force to be organized there. When Hong's army moved to attack Anju, they were met by the regional government forces assembled from surrounding districts and forces who had fled from rebel-captured areas to the east. The battle occurred at Pine Grove, about 10 ri (4 kilometers) north of Anju, where the rebels suffered a disastrous defeat on February 11. Lee Hae-Seung led the Anju force, but he received crucial reinforcement from Lee Young-Sik. Even after the defeat of Hong's army at Pine Grove, Kim's army captured the district seat at Yeongcheon (Yongch'ŏn) and other strategic facilities. There were plans to capture the walled city of Uiju, but these failed when the military leader there who had planned to join the rebels changed his mind and even executed his wife and son, who were rebel sympathizers. Moreover, prospects for the rebels diminished following a battle between Kim's army and that of Lee Young-Sik. As previously noted, Lee was the magistrate of Gwaksan who had escaped. He was able to reorganize an army and provided crucial reinforcements at the battle of Pine Grove. The battle between Kim and Lee occurred at the battle of Four Pine Field on February 21. Kim's rebel army suffered a disastrous defeat. Continued attacks from government forces caused Kim's army to disintegrate, and his soldiers were dispersed. He then joined the rebels at Jeongju, where the defense of the fortress-like town was underway. Siege of Jeongju February 15 to May 29, 1812: The siege of Jeongju began with the regional army's arrival under Lee Hae-Seung's command on February 15, 1812, which seven provincial companies joined Pyongyang and the central government pacification army from Seoul. Park Ki-pung led the pacification army and took control of the siege. The government forces totaled over 8,000 throughout the siege. The population within the town was about 4,000, including children and the elderly. There were about 360 trained rebel soldiers. They witnessed the destruction of the regional force and arriving conscripts, and the population was