As the Song court approached Guangzhou, Zhang Shijie decided to seize vessels rather than trust the merchant ruler Pu Shougeng, who was suspected of dealing with the Yuan. Putting the court and its followers aboard ships exploited Song seamanship and offered temporary protection from a stronger land army. Pu then surrendered Guangzhou, killed imperial clan members and officials, and denied the fugitives a potential refuge. The court had already fled its capital without Emperor Gong, although whether he was overlooked or deliberately left behind remains disputed. Younger child emperors succeeded him as deaths and captures narrowed the succession. Naval mobility prolonged political resistance even as ports and secure refuges ashore were lost.
Chapter · 57:45-1:02:33
A fleeing court becomes a fleet
As Yuan forces closed in, Song leaders used ships to keep the court mobile, but mistrust, lost ports, and weak imperial leadership narrowed their options.