When Genghis Khan passed away in 1227, he named his third son, Ogedei (窝阔台汗, reign 1229–1241) to be his successor. Ogedei became the second khagan of the Mongol Empire.

In 1233, he captured Kaifeng, the capital of the Mongol’s long-time enemy, the Jin of northern China.

In February 1234, he brought an end to the Great Jin Dynasty with the suicide of Jin’s last emperor, Ai-zong (金哀宗, reign 1224–1234).