Sun Quan’s forces, due to their superiority in numbers, initially underestimate the enemy's tenacity.

As the advancing Shu army captures regions including Zigui, Wu County, Mount Ba and Mount Xing, Sun Quan’s forces that set out from their fortifications to engage the enemy are nearly all annihilated.

The initial defeat causes Sun Quan to decide to adopt Lu Xun's strategy and appoint Lu as Grand Viceroy (de facto commander-in-chief of Sun Quan's forces).

Sun Quan’s forces, realizing that the Shu troops are better versed in warfare in mountainous terrain as they are mostly ground troops, decide to abandon their defenses at certain territories and retreat to vital positions and defend them instead.

After this, they intend to hold on to these positions and wait for an opportunity to launch a counterattack.