Jiangling (江陵) was a major city on the Yangtze in southern Jing Province (in modern Hubei). It sat at a strategic point on the river and was fought over by Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Eastern Wu.
Strategic importance
Whoever held Jiangling could control river traffic along the middle Yangtze and project power into the Jing region. Liu Bei and Sun Quan disputed the area after the Battle of Red Cliffs; Guan Yu used Jiangling as his base for the Battle of Fancheng campaign.
Capture by Wu and defence
In 219, Lu Meng took Jiangling by surprise whilst Guan Yu was besieging Fancheng; Guan Yu’s retreat was cut off and he was captured and executed. After the Battle of Yiling, Wei attacked; Zhu Ran commanded the Defence of Jiangling and held the city against the siege, securing Wu’s hold on the region.