The Defence of Jiangling (江陵保卫战) followed Wu’s victory at the Battle of Yiling (222). Jiangling was a strategically vital city on the Yangtze. Wei attempted to take it; Zhu Ran commanded the defence and held the city against the siege.
Importance
Jiangling had changed hands before—Cao Cao had taken it, and Zhou Yu had captured it for Sun Quan after Red Cliffs. Holding it after Yiling allowed Eastern Wu to secure the middle Yangtze and maintain pressure on the Wei–Wu frontier. Zhu Ran’s successful defence was recorded in the sources as a testament to his resolve and to Wu’s ability to hold key positions under attack.