Fishing City War

Background of Fishing City War

Fishing City War, also named Hechuan War, is a Song-Mongolia (Yuan) war in Song Dynasty. In 1240, government began to build villages on the Fishing Mountain which was 10 li off the east of Hechuan(now Hechuan in Chongqing)to resist the Mongol armies. In 1243, Fishing City was built here, Hezhou legacy was moved here and troops were densely kept here to control the Jialing River as the communication center. Since then, Fishing City gradually was developed into a key military town with a population of ten thousand people.

In 1258, Mongke Khan leaded the main force to Sichuan. Although he attacked and occupied many places, the Fishing City standed erectly as firm as before and became the impenetrable fortress to withstand Mongol troops.

Process of Fishing City War

In 1259, Mongke Khan was committed to conquer the Fishing City. He marched to Shizi Mountain and commanded troops to attack the city himself. From February to May,his troops fiercely attacked Yizi City and Gate Zhenxi, Dongqi, Qisheng, Huguo etc. and their external cities one after another, yet was repelled. In June, the Mongol armies assaulted the city again, but still failed. What was worse, his Senior General Wang Dechen was shot to death. In early July, Mongke Khan was shot injured and died in the barracks, and Mongol troops were forced to withdraw. The Chief Commander of Mongol troops-Kublai also rushed to retreat to the north so that he could ascend the throne. Until then, Mongol was completely defeated in the Fishing City War.

Influences of Fishing City War

Firstly, its success was a particular deadly tide turner in the Song-Mongolia (Yuan) war, and it postponed the perishment of the Southern Song Dynasty.

Secondly, it provided a perfect opportunity for Kublai to seize the power of Mongol and had a significant effect on the historical development of China. Kublai implemented a series of policies to promote Han Ethnic culture, and changed the slaughter policy, making sizeable contribution to the protection of southern China's economy and culture.

Thirdly, it stagnated the third Western Expedition Movement of Mongol troops and alleviated Mongol's threat to European and African countries and other countries in Asia, changing the world history of 13th Century.