Jingkang Incident · The Fall of Kaifeng
1127 · Kaifeng (Bianliang) · China · Early modern
The Jin army marched south twice to besiege Bianjing, finally breaking into the city the second time; the two emperors Huizong and Qinzong, along with many members of the imperial clan and consorts, were carried off to the north.
Belligerents
Jin
- Commanders
- Wanyan Zonghan, Wanyan Zongwang
- Strength
- Jin army marches south in two columns to encircle Bianjing
Northern Song
- Commanders
- Emperor Qinzong of Song
- Strength
- The Bianjing garrison and loyalist armies from across the realm, poorly coordinated
Background
After conquering Liao, Jin turned to invade the south; the Northern Song court wavered between war and peace, and its defenses grew lax.
Course of the battle
- First siege of BianjingThe Jin army marched south to besiege the city for the first time; Song sued for peace by ceding land and paying indemnities, temporarily lifting the siege.
- Second southern invasionBreaking the agreement, the Jin army again marched south in force and surrounded Bianjing.
- City falls, dynasty endsBianjing fell, and the emperors Huizong and Qinzong and the imperial clan were carried off north.
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 1127 |
|---|---|
| Place | Kaifeng (Bianliang) |
| Result | The Jin army marched south twice to besiege Bianjing, finally breaking into the city the second time; the two emperors Huizong and Qinzong, along with many members of the imperial clan and consorts, were carried off to the north. |
| Winner | Jin |
| Casualties | The capital was plundered, very many people were captured and taken north, and the court's treasuries were emptied. |
| Territorial change | The Northern Song fell; Zhao Gou took the throne in the south and rebuilt the regime, known as the Southern Song, facing the Jin across the Huai River and the Qinling Mountains. |
Impact
The defining event of the Northern Song's fall, known as the "Humiliation of Jingkang"; Chinese history entered a period of north–south confrontation between Song and Jin.
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