War of Kaifeng (1232 – 1233)

Renewed invasion of north China saw the Mongols Ogedei and Tolui (son of Genghis Khan) defeat the Jin at Yuxian, and then leave General Subetai to besiege the capital Kaifeng.

Kaifeng had been in a state of shock as the Mongols approached, because their arrival was preceded by the bad news of Jin defeats in the northern mountains where the soldiers were in snow up to their knees.

To raise the morale in Kaifeng the emperor deliberately made himself highly visible to his troops by touring the walls as the Mongol bombardment began.

When the Southern Song sent General Meng Hong to aid the Mongols, Emperor Ai Zong escaped along the Yellow River.

The Jin emperor continued resistance in the provinces but was defeated by Mongol and Song forces at Caizhou in 1234.

The Song were granted some ex-Jin territories as a reward but were dissatisfied and attacked Kaifeng and Loyang.

They were driven out but Ogedei resolved to conquer the Song Empire.
War of Kaifeng (1232 – 1233)