An initial conflict broke out in 1217 when the founder of Eastern Xia, Puxian Wannu, rebelled against the Mongol Empire.

[2][3][4] The Jin capital, Zhongdu, fell to Muqali, and Wannu used the opportunity to establish a breakaway state, originally based in Liaoyang.

[2][5] In 1217, due to the futility of him establishing a kingdom in the area of Liaoning, he relocated to northeast Manchuria along the border with Korea.

[9][10] Goryeo aided in these endeavors and accepted tributary status to the Mongol Empire and Eastern Xia.

In 1233, as part of a punitive expedition into Goryeo to force that dynasty's compliance,[3][13] Ögedai sent Güyük and Alchidai to subdue Eastern Xia.