Peace now concluded with Jinghis, Utubu proclaimed complete amnesty to
all, but not feeling safe, he left his heir in Chong tu, and set out
for Pien king, the present Kai fong fu, better known as Nan king, on
the southern bank of the Hoang Ho. On the way he attempted to deprive
the Kara Kitans in his escort of the horses and arrows which had been
given them. They revolted immediately, chose as leader one Choda and
turned then toward Chong tu. Two leagues from the capital Choda met
armed resistance, and though victorious, he sent envoys at once to
Jinghis. These envoys tendered submission, and asked for aid
straightway.
The Mongol Khan did not hesitate; he sent a division of Mongols under
Samuka, and a division of Jutchis under Mingan, with orders to join the
Kara Kitans and capture the capital. Mukuli, the best Mongol leader in
China, was sent at the same time to strengthen Lyuko, from whom a Kin
army had retaken the greater part of his kingdom.
When Utubu heard of this new Mongol inroad he summoned his son to Nan
king immediately. Chong tu, the capital, was poorly provisioned, the
Mongols were near it, their ferocity was famous; the besieged were in
terror. Utubu hurried forward a great transport of food under Li ing,
with a numerous army. The Mongols attacked this strong army. Li ing,
who was drunk when they fell on him, was killed. The battle was lost,
and the transport was seized and swept off by the victors. At news of
this dreadful disaster the troops of two other Kin generals dispersed
and the men went home to their families.
Connection with the city was broken. The investment was merciless; want
came, and next famine, with hunger so cruel that the dead were
devoured, and then living men killed to be eaten. Fu sing, the
governor, proposed to Chin chong, the commandant, to attack the Mongols
with every force in the city, and die arms in hand or else conquer.
Chin chong had not this view of duty. Fu sing, unwilling to witness the
loss of the city in which he was governor, made ready to die with
propriety. He gave all he had to his servitors, took poison, and ended
his earthly existence.
Chin chong hastened then to escape before the Mongols could enter. The
Imperial princesses implored him to take them from the city, and save
them, but, not wishing to hamper his flight, Chin chong asked some time
to prepare for their journey. Once beyond the city, however, he fled
and left those poor princesses to the Mongols. A great slaughter took
place in the capital. The palace was fired, and burned, as is said, a
whole month and even longer. Jinghis sent three officers to receive
Imperial plunder, and give due praise to Mingan for his siege work.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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