Battle of Xiangyang
Sun Jian was killed in action at the Battle of Xiangyang in 191 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Sun Ce. The "Wei Shu" recorded that Sun Ce, who should rightfully inherit his father's title "Marquis of Wucheng" (烏程侯), declined to accept the title and offered it to Sun Kuang instead. Between 194 and 199, Sun Ce embarked on a series of conquests in the Jiangdong region and established his power base there. Around the time, the warlord Cao Cao, who controlled the Han central government and the figurehead Han ruler, Emperor Xian, became wary of Sun Ce's growing influence in the south, so he sought to establish marital ties with Sun. Cao Cao's son, Cao Zhang, married the daughter of Sun Ben, a cousin of Sun Ce, while Cao Cao's niece married Sun Kuang.