Who was Muqali, and what role did he play in the Mongol campaigns in China?

Muqali was one of the most brilliant generals serving under Genghis Khan. He was a nökör—a companion who pledged absolute loyalty to his leader, forsaking all tribal and kinship ties to serve solely as the man of his chosen commander.12

During the Mongol campaigns in China, Muqali played a critical strategic role. After the fall of the Jin dynasty capital of Zhongdu (modern-day Beijing) in 1215, Genghis Khan determined that it was premature to commit his entire military force to the full conquest of China. Consequently, he withdrew to Mongolia and entrusted Muqali with the responsibility of remaining in the region to ravage and weaken the country.12