Aggressive expansion from full annexation during reconquest war

[Dylanj99]

While playing as the Timurids during an opening Ajam reconquest war I noticed that full annexing Ajam resulted in less AE than if I left them with one province (pictured below) is this an intended feature or a bug? if its a feature i would really appreciate if someone would explain it to me

 

[Vulkandrache]

Ajam cant have AE if they dont exist.
What you see is the max AE gained for the peacedeal.

 

[Dylanj99]

Ajam cant have AE if they dont exist.
What you see is the max AE gained for the peacedeal.

ooooh so since Ajam would get an AE modifier (because they're the victims) killing them shows the next highest AE for a country?

 

[Retrac910]

ooooh so since Ajam would get an AE modifier (because they're the victims) killing them shows the next highest AE for a country?

Yep