After defeat at Huangbi (黄陂), the nationalists changed their strategy in the middle of March, 1933 by attempting to breakthrough in the center.
On March 20, 1933, the 11th Division of the nationalist rearguard had reached the region between Grass Stage Hill (Caotaigang, 草台冈) and Village of Xu (Xuzhuang, 徐庄), with the surviving regiment of the nationalist 59th Division following behind.