In early September of the third year of the Jian'an Era, more than half a month after Liu Biao decided to help Liu Bei seize Jing Province, the Jing Province navy suddenly underwent a dramatic upheaval.
Huang Zu, who had originally held absolute control over Jiangxia, was suddenly stabbed in the back by Liu Biao and replaced on the eve of battle.
Control of the navy was also transferred from Jiangxia to Huang She, the Administrator of Zhangling.
This upheaval not only changed the course of Jing Province's political situation, but also altered the navy's overall strategy.
Its original strategic defensive posture was changed to active offense. The defensive line was continuously pushed forward, from E County to Xiazhi County, the small town on the border between Jiangxia and Yuzhang.
Naturally, this strategy had not been decided by Huang She. In fact, the day after Huang Zu was removed from office, he left in fury.
Military authority officially passed from Huang Zu's hands into Cai Mao's.
Though Cai Mao held a civil post, he was in truth highly skilled in naval warfare as well.
After gaining military authority, he discussed matters with Qin Tian and discovered that Huang Zu appeared aggressive, but was actually exceedingly conservative.
Faced with Liu Biao's military orders, Huang Zu's first thought as naval commander had not been to advance the front, but to preserve his strength.
This was why Huang Zu had only dared to turtle up within Jiangxia, using its long waterways as a buffer zone.
Though this strengthened the defensive line in a sense, it also gave Zhou Yu an opening to exploit.
After all, Jiangxia's geographical position was unique. By pulling his troops back within Jiangxia, Huang Zu could learn of Zhou Yu's movements in advance, but he had also surrendered the