subjugate, attack the rebellious, collect taxes
征 centers on using force or authority to bring something under control: subjugating enemies, attacking rebels, or collecting taxes as an assertion of power.
征 combines 彳 (movement, going) with 正 (correct, straight), suggesting a military expedition to set things right or bring order. The idea of subjugation and tax collection likely extends from this notion of authoritative movement.
The left side 彳 represents movement, and the right side 正 means correct or straight. Imagine an army marching (彳) to straighten out (正) a rebellious region: that is subjugation and tax collection.
For セイ, picture a general saying 'Say!' (セイ) as he orders his troops to subjugate the enemy. The command 'Say!' cues セイ while the army moves to attack.
—
(military) expedition; campaign
conquest; subjugation
ladder
going to war; departure for the front
conquest; subjugation; overcoming
commander-in-chief of the expeditionary force against the barbarians (beginning in 794 CE)
eastern expedition; military campaign to the east
Norman Conquest
Napoleon's Invasion of Russia (1812)
conquest of the three Koreas (legendary military invasion of the Korean kingdoms; 3rd century CE)
world conquest; world domination; taking over the world
second punitive expedition
family of a soldier at the front
army in the field
soldier at the front
northern expedition; military campaign to the north
southern expedition; military campaign to the south
attacking in all directions
foreign campaign
to depart (for military service); to go (into battle)