天興(xing)元年(nian)(1232年(nian))正(zheng)月,金(jin)朝和(he)蒙(meng)古(gu)在鈞州(zhou)三(san)峰山之(zhi)戰(zhan)決戰(zhan),金(jin)朝慘敗,軍隊(dui)主力損失殆盡(jin),主要將領大(da)多戰(zhan)死,滅亡進(jin)入倒計時。同月,蒙(meng)古(gu)軍隊(dui)圍(wei)攻汴(bian)京,金(jin)朝軍民進(jin)行了汴(bian)京保(bao)衛戰(zhan),打退蒙(meng)古(gu)軍隊(dui)的進(jin)攻。然而,金(jin)哀(ai)宗統(tong)治(zhi)集(ji)團迫于蒙(meng)古(gu)軍隊(dui)的威脅,不敢堅持抵(di)抗,逃(tao)往(wang)蔡州(zhou),汴(bian)京、中京(今河南洛陽市)相繼(ji)陷落。
天興二年(1233年)九月,蒙(meng)軍筑長(chang)壘(lei)包(bao)圍蔡州城。金哀宗(zong)率群臣行(xing)拜天禮,乞求(qiu)上蒼保佑(you)金國。禮成,金哀宗(zong)正賜將(jiang)士(shi)(shi)酒,哨探報稱蒙(meng)軍數百薄城。將(jiang)士(shi)(shi)踴躍,全都請求(qiu)一戰(zhan),感(gan)奮之下(xia),金軍出(chu)城接戰(zhan),大(da)敗來犯(fan)蒙(meng)軍。蒙(meng)軍大(da)帥塔察兒派數百精兵進攻東城,也被金軍打(da)敗。“自是(shi)蒙(meng)古(gu)不復(fu)薄城,分筑長(chang)壘(lei),圍之。”
十(shi)一(yi)月,蒙古與南宋(song)(song)(song)達成聯兵(bing)滅金的(de)協定(ding)。宋(song)(song)(song)朝派遣將(jiang)領江海、修武(wu)郎(lang),京西南路兵(bing)馬鈐轄,鄂(e)州兼(jian)江陵府副都統(tong)制孟(meng)珙(gong)率領宋(song)(song)(song)兵(bing)兩萬(wan)(wan)人、糧食三十(shi)萬(wan)(wan)石協助蒙兵(bing)攻蔡州。塔察兒率領蒙古軍,孟(meng)珙(gong)率領宋(song)(song)(song)軍,分道進(jin)攻蔡州。金將(jiang)萬(wan)(wan)奴被擒。
十二月初(chu),蒙軍(jun)于(yu)息州擊敗金(jin)將武(wu)仙,海州、沂州、萊(lai)州、濰州等州遂(sui)向蒙古投降,正(zheng)式完成對蔡州的包圍。宋蒙軍(jun)隊內防金(jin)兵突圍,外阻金(jin)兵入援。金(jin)哀宗迫于(yu)無奈,只好臨時招募民兵御敵。民眾(zhong)為了保衛(wei)蔡州,連(lian)健壯(zhuang)的婦女(nv)也協助搬運守城所需(xu)的大石,金(jin)哀宗亦親自撫軍(jun)。
一日,金(jin)軍(jun)(jun)忽(hu)開東門出(chu)戰,想殺(sha)出(chu)重(zhong)圍,被宋軍(jun)(jun)擊(ji)敗。審問俘虜后,孟珙得(de)知蔡州城內(nei)已經斷糧,認定金(jin)軍(jun)(jun)要拼命,誡囑宋軍(jun)(jun):“當(dang)盡死守住陣地,嚴(yan)防金(jin)軍(jun)(jun)突(tu)圍。”
塔察兒遣(qian)蒙古(gu)大將張(zhang)柔率五(wu)千精卒(zu)奮(fen)力(li)攻城(cheng),被蔡州守(shou)城(cheng)的(de)金軍(jun)抵擋住(zhu),萬矢(shi)齊發,張(zhang)柔本人身(shen)中(zhong)數(shu)箭,從(cong)高(gao)處摔落于地。危急之(zhi)下,多虧孟鉷(hong)并宋(song)朝前鋒軍(jun)沖(chong)出,努力(li)拼殺,終于救得張(zhang)柔一命。
轉天一大早,宋(song)(song)將孟鉷率宋(song)(song)軍(jun)(jun)忘死(si)沖殺,奪(duo)取戰略要(yao)地(di)柴潭樓,掘(jue)柴潭入(ru)汝水。同時,蒙(meng)(meng)軍(jun)(jun)也派兵(bing)(bing)決練(lian)江,“于是兩軍(jun)(jun)皆濟”。柴潭水涸(he),蔡州(zhou)已失天然屏障,在宋(song)(song)蒙(meng)(meng)聯軍(jun)(jun)的(de)合攻下,蔡州(zhou)外城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)很(hen)快被(bei)攻陷。守城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)金(jin)軍(jun)(jun)急紅眼,驅城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)中老弱孩童入(ru)大鍋熬成熱油,以此為防御“武器”,往下澆燙宋(song)(song)、蒙(meng)(meng)士兵(bing)(bing)。夜間,金(jin)將又(you)率五(wu)百死(si)士出西門想偷襲(xi)宋(song)(song)蒙(meng)(meng)營(ying)寨,被(bei)蒙(meng)(meng)軍(jun)(jun)發(fa)覺(jue),以強弩(nu)射死(si)大半。于是,蒙(meng)(meng)宋(song)(song)聯軍(jun)(jun)合力攻西城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),并攻陷西城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)樓。
完顏(yan)忽斜虎(hu)事(shi)先已經命人(ren)在(zai)內城墻內又挖(wa)深濠,故而蒙宋聯(lian)軍還一(yi)時間未能(neng)乘(cheng)勝(sheng)深入,暫時憑高據險,朝城內不停(ting)發射(she)箭弩(nu)。
同(tong)年(nian)十二(er)月初七,蒙(meng)軍(jun)(jun)決練江,宋兵決柴潭入汝(ru)水灌蔡(cai)州(zhou)城(cheng)。十二(er)月初九,蒙(meng)軍(jun)(jun)破蔡(cai)州(zhou)外(wai)城(cheng),宿州(zhou)副總帥高剌(la)哥(ge)戰死。十二(er)月十九日,蒙(meng)軍(jun)(jun)攻破蔡(cai)州(zhou)西城(cheng),都(dou)尉(wei)王愛實(shi)戰死。
此時(shi),金(jin)哀宗(zong)對于(yu)守城已經絕(jue)望(wang),他對侍臣(chen)說:“我為金(jin)紫光祿大(da)夫十(shi)(shi)年,當太子十(shi)(shi)年,當皇帝十(shi)(shi)年,自知沒(mei)有什么(me)大(da)的過惡(e),死無恨矣(yi)(yi)。所恨祖宗(zong)傳祚(zuo)百余年,至我而(er)絕(jue),與自古荒淫暴君(jun)同(tong)為亡(wang)國之主,只是(shi)這一點(dian)讓我耿耿于(yu)懷……自古以來,沒(mei)有不亡(wang)的國家,亡(wang)國之君(jun)往往為人辱囚,或被綁縛獻俘,或跪(gui)于(yu)殿庭(ting)受辱,或關閉于(yu)空房。朕絕(jue)對不會到這個地(di)步!眾(zhong)愛卿你(ni)們看著,朕志決矣(yi)(yi)!”同(tong)日,炮軍(jun)總(zong)帥王銳(rui)殺元(yuan)帥夾(jia)谷當哥(ge),率三十(shi)(shi)人向(xiang)蒙古投(tou)降。
其間(jian),金哀(ai)宗曾想(xiang)連(lian)夜率兵從東城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)突圍,卻被蒙宋(song)(song)軍(jun)(jun)所(suo)設的鹿角(jiao)戰柵所(suo)阻(zu)擋,殺斗而還。孟(meng)珙(gong)與蒙軍(jun)(jun)在城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)外搞(gao)“心(xin)理戰”。深(shen)知蔡(cai)州城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內乏食(shi)(shi)缺水,蒙宋(song)(song)聯軍(jun)(jun)在城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)外大開盛宴,歌舞鼓(gu)(gu)吹(chui),軍(jun)(jun)士們歡呼豪飲,大吃(chi)美食(shi)(shi),“城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)中饑窘,嘆(tan)息而已”,守(shou)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)的金軍(jun)(jun)聞見(jian)肉香,幾(ji)乎(hu)要(yao)發神(shen)經(jing)病。偶而有(you)出降者從城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)上縋城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)而下,告(gao)知宋(song)(song)軍(jun)(jun)說(shuo)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內絕(jue)糧三個(ge)月,能吃(chi)的都已經(jing)吃(chi)盡,鞍靴甲革(ge)包(bao)括軍(jun)(jun)鼓(gu)(gu)鼓(gu)(gu)皮都煮熟吃(chi)掉,“聽以(yi)老(lao)弱互食(shi)(shi)”,守(shou)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)金軍(jun)(jun)天天的糧食(shi)(shi)是(shi)“人畜骨和芹泥”。同(tong)時(shi),為(wei)了補充“軍(jun)(jun)糧”,金軍(jun)(jun)又常(chang)常(chang)斬殺敗軍(jun)(jun)全隊(dui),“拘其肉以(yi)食(shi)(shi)”。蔡(cai)州城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內,簡直又是(shi)一個(ge)活(huo)地獄。見(jian)時(shi)機已到(dao),孟(meng)珙(gong)下令對蔡(cai)州城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)進攻總攻,而蒙軍(jun)(jun)也鑿西城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)為(wei)五門(men),整軍(jun)(jun)而入,準備(bei)與宋(song)(song)軍(jun)(jun)同(tong)時(shi)殺入城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)去。
天興三年(nian)(1234年(nian))正月,戊申夜,金哀宗(zong)召集(ji)百官,傳位(wei)給東面元師(shi)完顏承(cheng)麟(lin)(完顏白撒(sa)之弟)。完顏承(cheng)麟(lin)初執意推卻,后(hou)哀宗(zong)苦苦哀求,曰:“朕將江山(shan)社稷托付給你(ni),這(zhe)也是迫不得(de)已。朕身(shen)體肥胖(pang),不能策馬出征。萬一城陷,必難(nan)突圍(wei)。考慮到(dao)你(ni)平(ping)昔身(shen)手矯(jiao)健,而(er)且(qie)有將才謀略(lve),如(ru)國(guo)有幸逃脫的話(hua),可(ke)延(yan)續國(guo)祚(zuo),這(zhe)是朕的心意。”故此,完顏承(cheng)麟(lin)唯有答允繼位(wei)。
次日(ri),承(cheng)(cheng)麟受(shou)詔即皇帝(di)位。正月(yue)十一日(ri)(儒略歷2月(yue)9日(ri)),正在行禮,蔡州(zhou)城(cheng)(cheng)南已經(jing)立(li)起宋軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)旗幟(zhi),諸大臣亟(ji)出抗敵。宋軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)攻破南門,蒙軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)攻破西城(cheng)(cheng),雙方(fang)展開激(ji)烈巷戰(zhan)(zhan),四(si)面殺聲震天(tian)(tian)。金(jin)(jin)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)將士頑強抵抗,幾乎全部戰(zhan)(zhan)死或自(zi)(zi)殺殉(xun)國(guo)。金(jin)(jin)哀宗自(zi)(zi)縊(yi)于(yu)(yu)幽蘭軒,享年37歲。完(wan)顏(yan)承(cheng)(cheng)麟聞知(zhi)金(jin)(jin)哀宗死訊(xun),率(lv)(lv)群臣入哭,謚(shi)曰哀宗,哭奠未畢,外城(cheng)(cheng)被攻破,退(tui)保(bao)子城(cheng)(cheng),同日(ri),完(wan)顏(yan)承(cheng)(cheng)麟死于(yu)(yu)亂(luan)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)中(zhong)。宰相完(wan)顏(yan)忽斜(xie)虎率(lv)(lv)最(zui)后的(de)一千多金(jin)(jin)兵巷戰(zhan)(zhan),終于(yu)(yu)不(bu)支,邊殺邊退(tui)。得知(zhi)金(jin)(jin)哀宗自(zi)(zi)縊(yi)的(de)消(xiao)息,完(wan)顏(yan)忽斜(xie)虎仰(yang)天(tian)(tian)嘆息:“吾的(de)君(jun)上已經(jing)駕崩,我還何以為戰(zhan)(zhan)呢?我不(bu)能死于(yu)(yu)亂(luan)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)之手,將投汝水自(zi)(zi)溺以追隨我的(de)君(jun)上!諸君(jun)可善自(zi)(zi)為計(ji)。”話一說完(wan),完(wan)顏(yan)忽斜(xie)虎奮身(shen)一躍(yue)跳(tiao)入水中(zhong)自(zi)(zi)殺。余(yu)下(xia)金(jin)(jin)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)將士血滿身(shen),淚滿臉,相顧言道:“完(wan)顏(yan)相公能死國(guo),難(nan)道我輩不(bu)能嗎!”于(yu)(yu)是上至參政、總師、元師,下(xia)至兵丁,五百多人皆一時跳(tiao)入汝水殉(xun)國(guo)。
金朝自(zi)金太祖建國至此歷(li)120年,亡于(yu)南宋、蒙古聯軍(jun)之下(xia)。
近(jin)侍完顏絳山遵奉金(jin)(jin)哀(ai)宗(zong)(zong)的遺囑,將(jiang)(jiang)他的尸(shi)體火化,殘(can)骸埋葬在(zai)汝(ru)(ru)南(nan)(今(jin)河(he)南(nan)汝(ru)(ru)南(nan)縣北面汝(ru)(ru)水旁)。另(ling)一(yi)說是(shi)蒙將(jiang)(jiang)塔察(cha)(cha)兒和(he)宋(song)(song)將(jiang)(jiang)孟珙見在(zai)焚(fen)燒完顏守緒(xu)尸(shi)體,忙(mang)上前撲滅余燼,撿出余骨,一(yi)分(fen)為(wei)二,各取一(yi)份回(hui)去報(bao)功。據蒙古(gu)伊兒汗(han)國宰(zai)相拉施(shi)特主(zhu)編(bian)的《史集》載,塔察(cha)(cha)兒僅(jin)獲得金(jin)(jin)哀(ai)宗(zong)(zong)的一(yi)只手(shou)。金(jin)(jin)哀(ai)宗(zong)(zong)大部分(fen)遺骸被宋(song)(song)軍帶回(hui)首都(dou)臨安告(gao)太(tai)廟。宋(song)(song)廷最后按洪咨夔的建議處理了金(jin)(jin)哀(ai)宗(zong)(zong)遺骸,藏于大理寺(si)獄(yu)庫。
此戰(zhan),金軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)雖有固(gu)池堅城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)為依托,但勢為孤城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)心(xin)渙散,斗志低沉(chen),加(jia)之(zhi)糧草不(bu)繼,終為蒙宋聯軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)擊(ji)敗(bai)。蒙宋聯軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)在攻堅不(bu)利的情況下,積極出(chu)擊(ji),創造戰(zhan)機,利用軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)心(xin)士氣(qi),一(yi)舉攻克堅城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)攻滅金朝。然而(er)在蔡(cai)州之(zhi)戰(zhan)中,金哀宗表現出(chu)的“君(jun)主死社稷”的氣(qi)節卻受到(dao)歷代的崇敬。金朝大臣張天綱在被宋軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)俘虜(lu)到(dao)臨安后,怒斥(chi)宋朝君(jun)臣,說:“國之(zhi)興亡(wang),何(he)代無(wu)之(zhi)。我金之(zhi)亡(wang),比汝二(er)帝何(he)如(ru)?”
元朝宰相脫脫在(zai)《金(jin)史》中(zhong)也(ye)不得不欽嘆(tan)金(jin)哀宗的為人,評價說“區區生黎,圖存于(yu)亡,未盡乃(nai)斃,可哀也(ye)矣。雖然(ran),在(zai)《禮》,‘國君(jun)死(si)社稷’,哀宗無愧焉”。