Deng Xia and Huan Qian arrived faster than expected. Huan Qian's troops were all cavalry, so that was understandable, but Deng Xia had been rather bold: he had left his main force with his younger cousin and ridden over with just fifty-odd horsemen. By evening, he had reached the Yu River and noticed the brilliant lights on the city walls and in the camp across the water.
At the ferry crossing, he encountered the black-clad guards waiting there. Only then did he learn that Liu Cheng had already succeeded completely, and he was delighted.
After crossing the river and meeting Liu Cheng, who sat in the camp outside the city, he learned the situation. Without saying much more, he led his fifty-odd riders into the small city and lodged in the main hall of the County Office.
At midnight, Huan Qian's vanguard arrived, followed by large bodies of cavalry one after another. Huan Qian came to see Liu Cheng, who immediately explained the situation, then proposed that they camp separately: Huan Qian's cavalry would establish their own camp east of the city, guarding the only direction in which these troops could possibly escape Jingzhou.
The fundamental aim was to give these armored Northern Migrants a measure of dignity and security, preventing friction and avoiding any last, unnecessary disorder.
After seeing Wang Qia in person and realizing that the situation was completely under control, Huan Qian obliged Liu Cheng. He sent only two hundred cavalrymen into the city to assist Deng Xia, then set up camp where he was... Naturally, Wang Qia also seized the opportunity to put forward his plan.
By dawn, Deng Xia's following infantry had arrived, securing the situation completely. Having stayed awake all night, Liu Cheng brought Wang Qia into the city to discuss their next move