Wu Jing
Around the time, the territories in Yang Province were under the jurisdiction of Liu Yao, who had been appointed as the Inspector of Yang Province by the Han central government. However, Liu Yao only controlled the four commanderies of Danyang, Wu, Kuaiji and Yuzhang, with Jiujiang and Lujiang (both located north of the Yangtze River) out of his control. Shouchun was initially the capital of Yang Province, but since it was under Yuan Shu's control, Liu Yao moved the provincial capital of his administration to Qu'e County. Liu Yao drove away Wu Jing, the Administrator of Danyang Commandery appointed by Yuan Shu. Wu Jing and Sun Ben (the former Commandant of Danyang, and a cousin of Sun Ce) retreated to Liyang County. As a defensive measure against Wu Jing, Liu Yao ordered Fan Neng (樊能) and Yu Mi (于糜) to garrison at Hengjiang Ford (southeast of present-day He County, Anhui), Zhang Ying (張英) to defend Danglikou (east of present-day He County, Anhui). Yuan Shu appointed his follower Hui Qu (惠衢) as the Inspector of Yang Province and Wu Jing as Military Inspector-General of the Household, and then sent them along with Sun Ben to attack Liu Yao's forces.