As a result of the Battles of P'yongyang and the Yellow Sea, Japan broke China's hold over Korea.  But China's strategic position, with forts along the Yalu and Beiyang fleet in nearby Lushun, was still strong.  In particular, the Chinese headquarters at Jiuliancheng, a fortified town guarding the Yalu, was thought to be impregnable. It was here that the Japanese attacked in late October 1894.  China's fate appeared to hand in the balance, since control of the Yalu Rivers fords cut access between Manchuria and Korea. Instead of fighting to the death, the Chinese retreated to defensive positions along the Motianling mountains protecting Mukden (later called Shenyang), thus opening the gates of Manchuria to the Japanese.