Jin Dynasty Capital Shift South (1120s)

Timeline

1. 1122Yanjing · BeijingJin founder Wanyan Aguda led forces against Liao and captured Liao's southern capital Yanjing in Tianfu 6. Jin generals Nianhan, Wolibu and others stayed in Yanjing, beginning to establish a base for rule over the Central Plains. To placate his generals, Aguda temporarily ceded seven Yan prefectures to Northern Song, but Yanjing's strategic position was already established.
2. 1123–1124Yanjing · BeijingIn August 1123 the Jin founder died and his brother Wanyan Sheng (Emperor Taizong) succeeded him. Commanders Nianhan, Zongwang and others long garrisoned Yanjing, using it as the frontline command center for the southward attack on Song. The Jin court began committing more military and political resources to the Central Plains; though Shangjing Huining remained the nominal capital, the political focus had clearly shifted south.
3. 1125–1127Yanjing · BeijingNorthern Song failed to honor the Song-Jin pact, and in Tianhui 3 Emperor Taizong again dispatched forces; the eastern army under Wanyan Zongwang successively took Yanjing. Taizong then ordered the Zhongshu Sheng and Shumiyuan relocated to Yanjing, employing Han and Khitan officials such as Liu Yanzong in governance, making Yanjing the Jin's actual administrative center and laying the groundwork for Hailing Wang's formal move to Zhongdu in 1153.