This battle with Ning Country for the title of Master of Yangzhou had been brewing for several years, yet once it began, the progression of the war was quite swift.
The originally mighty and strong United Army of the four kingdoms—Ning, Su, Song, and Nanhai—was highly regarded by all countries for its power. However, after the war broke out, their true weakness was quickly exposed.
Though both their territory and population were stronger than that of Chu State, and even in military strength, they seemed more robust in the eyes of outsiders.
Yet in the battle in September of the previous year, the main force led by Emperor Ning was first thwarted at Jiangxia City, with defeats in both their naval and land armies following in succession.
Afterward, Ning Country lost an entire prefecture in Xiangyang, leading to a rapid deterioration on the northern battlefield.