Liu Bei crusaded against Wu Dong under the banner of revenge for Guan Yu. His real strategic intention is to defeat Wu Dong and then bargain with Sun Quan at the negotiating table. His purpose is still in Jingzhou.
Sun-Liu alliance and the dispute of Jingzhou interests
Battle of Red Cliffs Sun-Liu Alliance defeated Cao Cao, mainly because of Sun Wu's efforts, and Liu Bei's contribution was not substantial.
But Liu Bei took the opportunity to occupy Changsha, Guiyang, Lingling and Wuling South counties. Sun Quan only controlled the Jiangnan part of Jiangxia County and did not occupy much territory.
Judging from the situation at that time, Sun Quan was able to defeat Cao Cao, save Jiangdong and achieve a major strategic victory, which exceeded the expectations of the campaign and did not expect greater gains in the campaign.
After more than a year, the Sun-Liu Alliance continued to cooperate, defeated Coss stationed in Nanjun and occupied Nanjun, Jingzhou.
However, after a long time, Sun Quan was drooling over the benefits that Liu Bei got after his stay in Battle of Red Cliffs.
After Liu Bei obtained Yizhou, Sun Quan proposed to return to Jingzhou. After being rejected by Liu Bei, Sun Quan became angry from embarrassment and sent troops to attack five counties in Jingzhou guarded by Guan Yu.
Liu Bei personally led tens of thousands of Shu soldiers to help Guan Yu and fight against Sun Quan.
The alliance between Sun and Liu was completely broken, and the decisive battle between Liu Bei and Sun Quan began.
If the fighting finally broke out, both sides lost, and Cao took advantage of the fishermen.
But the subtlety of this alliance lies in: slow is two fights, and urgent is two peace.
Cao Cao took advantage of the two wars between Sun and Liu to send troops to pacify Xiliang, Guanzhong and Hanzhong, which directly threatened Liu Bei's Yizhou.
Faced with the situation that his lair was copied, Liu Bei had no choice but to compromise, divide water with Sun Quan and cede Changsha and Guiyang counties to Sun Quan. Liu Bei only controlled Nanjun, Wuling and Lingling counties in Jingzhou.
Then Guan Yu took Nanjun Town. Although there were many frictions with Sun Wu, there was no major battle, which basically maintained the existence of the alliance.
Did Liu Bei fight in Hanzhong? Men vs women? The point is. Guan Yu attacked Xiangfan, and Liu Bei was unable to support him. He could only watch Sun Wu completely occupy Jingzhou.
After the war in Hanzhong, Liu Bei recovered a certain military strength through strategic adjustment.
At this point, Cao Cao had died of illness, and Xelloss proclaimed himself emperor. The core problem facing Cao Pi is to complete the transfer of power, which can not pose a threat to Hanzhong for the time being.
In this strategic opportunity period, Liu Bei launched the Yiling War in an attempt to recapture Jingzhou.
Its strategic purpose is twofold:
First, directly recapture Jingzhou.
Second, hurt Sun Wu and bargain with Sun Quan.
Although Liu Bei launched a campaign in the name of revenge for Guan Yu, it cannot be denied that politicians also have feelings, but they must admit the interests that politicians first consider.
At the beginning of the Yiling War, Sun Quan sent someone to make peace, but Liu Bei disagreed.
Liu Bei knew that it was impossible to destroy Wu Dong at that time, and it was not in the interests of the Union.
The negotiation is the result that Liu Bei hopes, and the key is what price Sun pays.
Sun Quan enraged the masses and seized Jingzhou, so naturally he won't be released again. Liu Bei won't get the expected result, so he won't stop there.
What kind of compromise Sun Wu can make is not recorded in history, but what is certain is that he did not meet Liu Bei's requirements, that is, he did not want to return the Jingzhou part originally controlled by Guan Yu to Liu Bei.
Diplomacy is the continuation of war, and without the backing of military strength, there is no right to speak. No one wants to spit out the meat he has eaten in his mouth.
Then there is only a decisive battle, and we will hurt Sun Wu first and then negotiate.
Regrettably, Liu Bei was defeated in the battle of Yiling. Liu Bei fled back to Bai Di City, and Sun Quan made peace again. Liu Bei reluctantly agreed.
Sun Quan has gained benefits and won, but he doesn't want to continue fighting Shu Han. Otherwise it's not good for you.
After Liu Bei's defeat, he had no capital to bargain with Sun Quan, so he had to compromise uncompromisingly. Otherwise, it will be worse for yourself.
If Sun Quan is also guilty and pursues victory, Shu Han will be completely over.
Therefore, judging from the contradictions and conflicts of interest between Sun and Liu before and after the Yiling War, Liu Bei's real intention in launching the Yiling War is undoubtedly for Jingzhou.
As for not agreeing to Sun Wu's peace at first, but finally agreeing to peace because of necessity, it is only to adopt different strategies to achieve strategic goals.