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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
under the general Yan-shi, informing him that the place would not surrender until its people were pressed by famine. He ordered him to treat the people well, as also the inhabitants of the neighbouring districts. He nominated Solu-hutu as commandant ! Tong-ping when it should surrender, Yan-shi as governor of the people (? dárúgha), and ordered Sarta, after the capture of the place to create two military governments, one of the north and the other of the south, and to entrust the one to Yan-shi and the other to Shi-kue." Mu-khu-li himself advanced upon Ming-chau (Kuang-ping-fu in Pe'chihli), dividing his army into small bodies, and thus overran the country north of the river. Douglas says he laid siege to Tsu and Ming, and adds that it was in this campaign the Kin general Wanian Weiko lost his life."5
Tong-ping did not surrender till the fifth month of 1221, when its commanders Monkukang and Wang-ting-yu, being hard pressed for food, abandoned it and tried to escape to Peichau. Solu-hutú pursued them and killed 7,000 of their men. Yan-shi entered the town and in accordance with Mu-khu-li's commands restored order there. Sarta, similarly obedient, divided the country into two departments, giving Yan-shi that of the north with the towns of Nghen-chau, Po-chau and others depending on them, while Shi-kuê fixed his court at Tsao-chau, and took possession of the southern division."6
In November 1221 Mu-khu-li crossed the Yellow River at Tong-shing-chau, the modern Tokhto-khota, with the intention of attacking Kia-chau. He really wished to secure that part of Shan-si which belonged to the Kin Tartars in order thence to attack Ho-nan and Kai-fong-fu, the southern capital of the Kin dynasty. The king of Hia or Tangut was naturally alarmed at the invasion of his borders, and sent his general Taga to the district now occupied by the Mongol tribe of the Ordus to congratulate him. Mu-khuli having asked for some troops the king further ordered his general Dake-ganpu," to join him with 50,000 men. The Mongols speedily secured Kia-chau, and its commander Hang-kong-tso having fled, Mu-khn-li did not
27
De Mailla, Vol. IX. pp. 94 and 95. 25 D'Ohsson, Vol. I. pp. 363-4; Douglas, p. 90. De Mailla, Vol. IX. p. 98.
[OCTOBER, 1885.
stay long there; but having entered the department of Sui-te-chau he captured two strong fortresses, Po-ma and Kê-yong. While there another Tangutan general named Mipu arrived with reinforcements. Before being presented he enquired what the ceremony would be. Mu-khu-li informed him he should expect him to behave as his master the king of Hia would conduct himself before Chinghiz Khân. This reply embarrassed Mipu, for he knew the Mongols treated the kingdom of Hia as tributary and subject, and that this meant some act which would be interpreted as homage of some kind. He replied that he had received no instructions from his master in regard to this matter, and he accordingly withdrew with his men; but he returned shortly after, as Mu-khu-li had attacked Yeng-gan, a town situated on the Yen-ho in Shen-si. Mi-pu went to him, held the reins of his horse, and made the salutation which Mu-khu-li prescribed.
Khada, the Kin Commander-in-Chief, and Nahomaichu had united for the defence of Yen-gan. The former was encamped with 30,000 men to the east of the town. Mongapuhoa, having reconnoitred his position with 3,000 men, reported to Mu-khu-li on his return, that the Kin troops despised the Mongols, since they thought their army was a small one, and suggested the formation of an ambush that very night. Mu-khu-li approving of this, planted a portion of his force in a defile between two mountains, and the next day before sunrise Mongu-puhoa attacked the Kin army with the advance-guard. He pretended not to be able to hold his ground and fled, abandoning his drums and standards. The Kins, who were deceived, pursued him quickly to the defile, where Mu-khu-li caused his concealed men to charge them amidst a tremendous beating of drums. Their surprise was naturally very great. Khada took to flight, and lost 7,000 men. He withdrew into the town, to which Mu-khu-li laid siege. As the place was strong, and promised to make a long resistance, he left a portion of his force there, and went southwards to attack Fu-chau and Fang-chau, situated in the modern Chung-pu-hien, and other neighbouring towns. At Fa-chau there fell several distinguished Kin
27 Called Takokanpu by De Mailla. "De Mailla calle him Hota.
