Mamai vs Yuan Chonghuan

Mamai sent a force under Begich to attack the Grand Principality of Moscow. Dmitry Donskoy's army defeated the Horde force on the Vozha River, marking the first major Russian victory over the Golden Horde and escalating tensions before Kulikovo.

Mamai led a large Golden Horde army against the coalition of Russian principalities under Dmitry Donskoy at Kulikovo Field. The Russian forces defeated the Horde, severely damaging Mamai's authority and prestige. Mamai fled the battlefield.

After the defeat at Kulikovo, Mamai's rival Tokhtamysh, backed by Tamerlane, challenged his rule. Mamai gathered forces but was defeated by Tokhtamysh at the Battle of the Kalka River. Mamai fled to the Genoese colony of Caffa, where he was killed.

Yuan Chonghuan, as commander of Ningyuan, successfully defended the city against a large Manchu army led by Nurhaci. The victory was a rare Ming success and marked the first major defeat for the Manchu leader.

Yuan Chonghuan again defended Ningyuan and nearby Jinzhou against a Manchu attack led by Hong Taiji. The Ming forces held their positions, inflicting heavy casualties on the Manchus and securing a second major victory.

Yuan Chonghuan executed the Ming general Mao Wenlong on charges of insubordination and collusion with the Manchus. This act removed a powerful but unreliable commander but also created enemies at court.

Yuan Chonghuan was arrested on charges of treason after the Manchus bypassed his defenses and raided Beijing. He was executed by lingchi (slow slicing) in the marketplace, a punishment that shocked the empire.