In the second month of the sixth year of the Jian'an Era, taking advantage of the moment just after Cao Cao and Yuan Shao had concluded their great battle, Liu Bei sent troops into Jing Province.
In mid-February, Qin Tian struck first, leading his troops into Jingnan. He seized Wuling Commandery, then dealt Liu Pan a crushing defeat.
That same month, Liu Bei gathered his forces and marched on Jiangxia Commandery. With Pang Tong and Huang Zu aiding him, he routed Wen Ping and captured Jiangxia Commandery.
As soon as these two pieces of news spread, Jing Province was shaken. Upon hearing that the Huang Clan had betrayed him, Liu Biao fell ill and took to his bed.
With Liu Biao fallen, wherever Liu Bei's army pointed its blades, every region surrendered at the mere scent of danger. By April, Zhangling had completely fallen.
By this point, the territories under Liu Bei's command had successfully joined into one continuous stretch, linking up with Runan Commandery in Yu Province, where Guan Yu was stationed.
Having gained the advantage, Liu Bei continued his advance, leading his main forces into Nan Commandery.
He successively took Ruo State, Qiguo, Yicheng, and Bian County, geographically severing the connection between Xiangyang and Jiangling.
Meanwhile, Qin Tian bypassed Chanling, which Liu Pan was defending, and launched a surprise attack on Jiangling.
In just one day, he captured this fortified city of Nan Commandery and defeated Cai Mao, the Administrator of Nan Commandery.
After Cai Mao's defeat, Liu Pan fell for Qin Tian's forged-letter scheme, ultimately suffering a defeat at Dangyang.
When this news reached Xiangyang, it was no different from a fatal blow to Liu Biao. It nearly angered him to death.
Seeing that Qin Tian had settled the matter in Jingnan, Liu Bei directly led his