Editing 1218 (section)

==== Mongol Empire ====
* Spring &ndash; [[Genghis Khan]] dispatches a Mongolian army (some 20,000 cavalry) under [[Jebe]], to deal with the [[Qara Khitai]] (or Western Liao) threat. Meanwhile, he sends [[Subutai]] with another army on a simultaneous campaign against the [[Merkit]]s. Jebe defeats a force of 30,000 men led by Prince [[Kuchlug]] at the Khitan capital [[Balasagun]]. Kuchlug flees south to modern [[Afghanistan]], but is captured by hunters – who hands him over to the Mongols. After Kuchlug is beheaded and paraded through the cities of his new domains, Genghis annexes the entire Khitai empire under Mongol rule.<ref>John Man (2011). ''Genghis Khan: Life, Death and Resurrection'', pp. 179–180. {{ISBN|978-0-553-81498-9}}.</ref>
* [[Jochi]], eldest son of Genghis Khan, leads a successful campaign against the [[Kyrgyz people|Kyrgyz]]. Meanwhile, Genghis sends a caravan with precious gifts to [[Muhammad II of Khwarazm|Muhammad II]], ruler (''[[shah]]'') of the [[Khwarazmian Empire]], hoping to establish trade relations. However, [[Inalchuq]], Khwarazmian governor of [[Otrar]], attacks the caravan, claiming that the caravan contains spies. Genghis then sends a second group of three ambassadors to Muhammad to demand the merchants be set free. Muhammad refuses, and the merchants along with one of the ambassadors are executed.<ref>John Man (2011). ''Genghis Khan: Life, Death and Resurrection'', p. 184. {{ISBN|978-0-553-81498-9}}.</ref>