The Siege of Zhongdu and the Illusion of Safety

In the winter of 1213, the Mongol forces under Genghis Khan stood before the formidable walls of Zhongdu (modern-day Beijing), the capital of the Jin Dynasty. The city, a symbol of Jin power, was considered impregnable—its towering defenses and massive gates had withstood countless sieges. Yet, as Genghis Khan surveyed the situation, he made a surprising decision: rather than launching a full-scale assault, he would demand tribute in exchange for withdrawal.

The Jin emperor, Wanyan Xun (Emperor Xuanzong), and his court were cautiously optimistic. They believed Zhongdu would remain safe—after all, the Mongols had not breached its walls. But safety, as they soon discovered, came at a steep price.

The Diplomatic Gambit: Araqan’s Mission

Genghis Khan dispatched his envoy, Araqan, to deliver an ultimatum to the Jin court. Araqan’s message was blunt:

“The provinces of Shandong and Hebei already belong to us. Zhongdu is all that remains under your control. Heaven has weakened you. If I were to press the attack now, Heaven would condemn me. I propose to withdraw—but only if you appease my soldiers with suitable tribute.”

The Jin officials were furious. Chancellor Zhang Xingxin retorted, “This is like demanding payment after slaughtering a man!” Yet, despite their indignation, the reality was undeniable: the Jin Dynasty was on the brink of collapse.

The Debate: To Fight or to Submit?

The Jin court was divided. General Shihu Gaoqi argued for a decisive battle, claiming the Mongols were exhausted. But Marshal Wanyan Fuxing countered with grim realism:

“Our soldiers’ families are scattered across the north, their fates unknown. If we send them to fight, they will desert. Zhongdu will fall without a struggle.”

The debate raged for days. Ultimately, fear and pragmatism prevailed—the Jin agreed to negotiate.

The Cost of Peace: A Humiliating Tribute

Genghis Khan’s terms were severe:
– 500 young boys and girls
– 3,000 horses
– 10,000 bolts of silk
– A Jin princess for marriage

For the once-mighty Jin Dynasty, these demands were a bitter humiliation. The horses were particularly difficult—the Jin had lost their pastures to the Mongols. In desperation, Wanyan Xun turned to the military, forcing them to surrender their mounts.

As for the princess, Wanyan Xun refused to send his own daughter. Instead, he offered the daughter of his uncle, Wanyan Yongji—a woman later known as the Princess of Qi. Legend claims she wept bitterly upon departure but was later captivated by Genghis Khan’s charisma.

The Aftermath: A Hollow Victory

With the tribute secured, the Mongols withdrew. But Zhongdu’s survival was an illusion. The city was starving, its defenses crumbling. Desperate measures—such as selling government positions for grain—failed. When the Jin resorted to confiscating food, riots erupted.

Meanwhile, the northern frontier lay in ruins. Local militias, loyal to the Jin but despised by the court, could have reinforced the border. Yet Shihu Gaoqi dismissed them as “useless rabble,” sealing the dynasty’s fate.

The Final Blow: The Flight to Kaifeng

By 1214, Wanyan Xun saw only one solution: abandon Zhongdu. Despite protests from officials like Duan Jian, who warned that fleeing would surrender northern China forever, the emperor pressed forward.

On May 11, 1214, the Jin court began its exodus—a staggering caravan of 3,000 camels and 30,000 carts carrying treasures, archives, and the royal family. After a grueling two-month journey, they reached Kaifeng, the new capital.

Left behind were Marshal Wanyan Fuxing and the crown prince, Wanyan Shouzhong—a doomed rearguard.

The Legacy: The Beginning of the End

The fall of Zhongdu marked the irreversible decline of the Jin Dynasty. Genghis Khan’s strategy—extracting tribute while destabilizing the regime—proved devastating. Within years, the Mongols would return, and Zhongdu would fall for good.

The events of 1213-1214 reveal a critical lesson in history: a kingdom’s strength lies not just in its walls, but in the unity and resolve of its people. The Jin, fractured by internal strife and shortsighted leadership, sealed their own downfall.

Today, the siege of Zhongdu stands as a pivotal moment—the beginning of the Mongol conquest of China, and the end of an empire that once ruled the north.