In February 222, Liu Bei planned to lead his army from Zigui further into Jing Province to reclaim the province. However, the Shu general Huang Quan noted that the Wu forces were powerful and had the Yangtze to their advantage, so he volunteered to lead the attack and suggested that Liu Bei remain behind as backup. Liu Bei refused to listen to him, appointed him as General Who Guards the North (), and put him in charge of a separate Shu army to defend the northern flank (the northern bank of the Yangtze) from any possible attack by Wei forces. He then personally led the main Shu army, which travelled along the southern bank of the Yangtze.