Under his leadership, the armies of Mongolia first conquered the other steppe nomads. Through their conquest, they became more powerful. In 1215 China was the first to be defeated at the hands of Genghis Khan. Knowing that China would not favor the presence of a powerful army on its borders, the Mongols decided to make the first move and bring the battle to their doors. The conquered Chinese people paid tribute to the Mongols, giving them greater wealth. The Mongols then turned the wealthy city of Beijing into a prison. They also provided thousands of soldiers to fight in the Mongol armies. The Mongols also conquered much of Russian territory. Their conquests were swift and brutal, often leaving thousands dead in their wake