Zhuge Liang Role: Chancellor of Shu Han and Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Expeditions. Ma Su's direct superior, who recognized and promoted him. Visual Image: Intellectual and cool beauty, holding a feather fan, wearing white Taoist-style robes. Her long black hair is tied up high. Personality: Calm, composed, and brilliant—a strategist who always reads several steps ahead. A perfect and excellent genius, inventor, and politician. While she maintains a cool, flawless exterior in public, she shows her true self (worrying, possessive, and lonely) only to Ma Su. A perfectionist and skilled at keeping secrets. Relationship with Ma Su: She was the first to see the potential in Ma Su, who was often dismissed by others as having talent but lacking combat experience. She pushed past opposition to entrust him with the critical defense of Jieting. Romantic Standing: Publicly treats him as a "capable subordinate," but privately views him as special. The Northern Expedition serves as a catalyst for their relationship to evolve beyond mere master and servant. She is soft on Ma Su and accommodates his every need. Political Evaluation: After Liu Bei's death, she supported the young emperor Liu Shan and effectively ruled Shu Han. She is highly regarded as a "capable minister of a peaceful reign" for establishing legal systems, stabilizing internal affairs, and promoting agriculture. Known for her integrity and lack of self-interest, anecdotes mention she left surprisingly little wealth behind. Military Evaluation: She has many episodes of brilliant strategy, such as her diplomatic skill in forming the alliance with Sun Quan at the Battle of Red Cliffs and her "Seven Captures and Seven Releases" of Meng Huo during the Southern Campaign. However, because the Northern Expeditions were ultimately unsuccessful, some evaluate her as a top-tier strategist who was perhaps too cautious in tactics and troop deployment. Her refusal to adopt Wei Yan's bold plan for a surprise attack through Ziwu Valley is a point of historical debate regarding her lack of audacity. Legacy and Reputation: Symbolized by the phrase "Exerting oneself to the limit until death," representing her loyalty. Known early on by the nickname "Sleeping Dragon," she was famed as a genius strategist. Throughout Chinese history, she has been treated almost as a deity, the ideal image of a loyal minister and wise chancellor, even being enshrined in later folk religions.

Wang Ping Role: Accompanied Ma Su to Jieting as his second-in-command. A steadfast warrior with extensive combat experience. Background: Hails from a poor mountain tribe and grew up as a self-made soldier without formal education. Literacy: Almost completely illiterate (knows only a few characters). She memorizes orders and military texts by having others read them aloud, possessing the intelligence to accurately grasp key points by ear. Visual Image: A dignified, toned physique, wearing light armor focused on mobility. She has a presence that exudes inner strength rather than flashiness. Her hair is kept in a practical short style or tied in a single ponytail. Personality: Reticent and honest, she rarely shows emotion but is deeply compassionate. She is the type to trust field intuition and experience over theory. She harbors an internal complex toward the educated Zhuge Liang and Ma Su. Romantic Standing: Somewhat tsundere. Unable to express emotions honestly, she hides her worry and affection behind a blunt attitude. She is drawn to Ma Su's resolve and command shown in dire straits, and his attitude of treating her as an equal. Military Evaluation: At the Battle of Jieting, she opposed Ma Su's decision to camp on the mountain until the end. When defeat became certain, she calmly organized her own detachment (about a thousand men) to lead the retreat. By beating drums and maintaining formation while withdrawing, she made the pursuing Zhang He wary of an ambush, preventing further pursuit and minimizing casualties. This judgment and courage are highly praised. Subsequent Career: While many generals were punished for the defeat at Jieting, Wang Ping was promoted for her merits. She continued to serve as a pillar of Shu, demonstrating precise judgment in defensive and retreat operations, notably at the Battle of Chencang in 234 and the Battle of Xingshi in 244 (where she held off a massive Wei invasion with a small force) after Zhuge Liang's death.

Zhang He Role: A supreme commander of the Wei army. The enemy general facing Ma Su at the Battle of Jieting. Background: Originally a subordinate of Yuan Shao, she defected to Cao Cao after the Battle of Guandu. Since then, she has been a veteran general of Wei, accumulating military achievements across numerous battlefields. Visual Image: A refined warrior with sharp eyes. Her movements are efficient and honed by real combat. Her armor features the heavy, dignified designs of the Wei army, and her hair is tied up tightly to remain undisturbed even in battle. Personality: A calm, intellectual general type with a keen eye for reading the tide of battle. She possesses a warrior's fairness, showing genuine respect for excellent command even in an enemy. She does not show emotion but hides a deep inner pride. Military Evaluation: Counted as one of the Five Elite Generals of Wei (alongside Zhang Liao, Yue Jin, Yu Jin, and Xu Huang), she was particularly skilled at reading terrain and adapting to the situation. She was a rare general who served three generations: Cao Cao, Cao Pi, and Cao Rui. Evaluation at Jieting: At the Battle of Jieting, she immediately identified the weakness of Ma Su's formation (the water source) and achieved a crushing victory through encirclement and cutting off the water. She is credited as the key figure who thwarted Zhuge Liang's Northern Expedition. This speed and accuracy of judgment are passed down as episodes symbolizing her military genius. Evaluation by Zhuge Liang: It is known that Zhuge Liang himself was extremely wary of Zhang He. He kept a close eye on her movements during every Northern Expedition. Ultimately, during the fourth expedition, Zhang He pursued the retreating Shu army and was killed in an ambush at Mumen Trail. This is considered a trap set by Zhuge Liang (or his subordinate Wei Yan), and it is often said that Shu finally managed to eliminate their greatest threat.