Zhou Yu, who was stationed in Yuzhou, found out about the situation in Xuzhou when Sun Ce had already led his men on a campaign against Jingzhou. By that time, Liu Biao, with the strategies of Kuai Yue and the valor of Huang Zhong, had already successfully captured most of the South Commandery. This was the first successful counterattack since the fall of Jingbei.
At this time, Zhou Yu was quite conflicted, but fortunately, he had a clear grasp of the priorities of various matters, so although he knew this was an excellent opportunity to capture Xuzhou, he hesitated for a moment and then decided to give up. After all, Zhou Yu had not yet fully consolidated the territories originally under Yuan Shu's control.
As for the areas in the southern part of Yangzhou, they were even more beyond reach. Thus, Zhou Yu's plan to steadily build a strong rear area was not yet complete, and he had to give up this great opportunity.
