Cause & Context
Following the loss of Jing Province and Guan Yu's death, Liu Bei declared himself emperor and launched an all-out invasion of Eastern Wu; Sun Quan appointed the young Lu Xun as commander-in-chief.
Epochal Overview
After Liu Bei strung his camps across hundreds of miles along the Yangtze for months, Lu Xun exploited summer winds to unleash a devastating fire attack, routing the Shu army and driving Liu Bei into retreat at Baidicheng.
Key Figures
Lu Xun showcased masterful patience and strategic timing; Liu Bei perished after entrusting the state to Zhuge Liang at Baidicheng.
Civilizational Impact
Yiling eliminated Shu Han's capability to expand eastward, permanently locking the tripartite geopolitical equilibrium of the Three Kingdoms.