In the tenth month of the third year of the Jian'an Era, Liu Bei and Sun Ce fought a great battle within Danyang Commandery. In the end, following Qin Tian's strategy, Liu Bei defeated Sun Ce's forces.
Faced with the fiercely advancing Liu Bei, Sun Ce, after reflecting painfully on his setback, decided to draw back his defensive line once more.
As Liu Bei entered the Jiangdong plains, the strategy of relying on natural strongholds for defense had completely failed.
Thus, Sun Ce simply took the initiative to abandon the two cities of Jing County and Wuhu, regrouping his previously scattered forces.
With his own five thousand men combined with Sun Ben's three thousand, he retreated to Wanling County, the seat of Danyang Commandery, and held it fast.
At the same time, in order to contend with a strategic master like Qin Tian, he once again delegated authority and appointed Zhou Yu as Grand Commander of Eastern Wu.
The defensive line had temporarily contracted to Liyang on the border of Wu Commandery, forming a new triangular front with Stone City and Wanling.
Though this line relied on cities for defense, it was obvious that Sun Ce, as lord, had placed himself on the front line this time, firmly guarding the gateway to Kuaiji.
Thus, upon hearing of this strategic deployment, Liu Bei was greatly astonished and said:
"Now that Sun Bofu has suffered defeat and retreated, why does he not withdraw to Kuaiji? Why does he still wish to hold Wanling?"
"Is this not venturing alone into danger, attending to the small and losing the great?"
Liu Bei's surprise was no wonder, for Wanling could not possibly be defended now!
With strategic towns such as Spring Valley, Jing County, and Wuhu having fallen, Wanling had become an isolated city.
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