The Mongol Empire's commanders in the Huai River area remain on the defensive, taking few major Song cities, although the regent Töregene and Güyük Khan order their generals to attack the Song.

Yarolsav had again been summoned to the east in 1245, this time by Güyük Khan in Karakorum, where he is poisoned by the Great Khan's mother, Töregene.

He dies a week after gaining permission to return home.

The death of Güyük in 1248 had probably averted an impending family war.

His widow and regent, Ogul-Gaimish, attempts to hold power for Ögödei’s sons and his brother Chaghatai, but the 1251 election goes to Möngke, son of Ghengis Khan’s youngest son Tolui.

The Ögödei princes conspire against Möngke, who has most of them executed, then orders Ogul-Gaimish wrapped in a carpet and cast in a river to drown.