1. Sima Yi

Sima Yi, courtesy name Zhongda, was born in Wenxiaojingli, Hanoi (now west of Wenxian County, Henan Province) at the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty. After the three-legged situation was formed, Cao Cao proclaimed himself the King of Wei and made Cao Pi the crown prince. Sima Yi was appointed as the bastard among the crown princes.

He often discussed major issues with Cao Pi and studied strategies, and was deeply convinced by Cao Pi. Cao Pi died after only six years as emperor. When he was critically ill, he handed over the important task of assisting Cao Ruizhi to Sima Yi, Cao Zhen, and Chen Qun. Cao Rui ascended the throne as Emperor Ming, and he made Sima Yi the Marquis of Wuyang.

In February 227, General Meng Da, who was stationed in Xincheng (now Fangxian County, Hubei Province), wanted to rebel against Wei and return to Shu. Meng Da was originally a Shu general who defected to Wei after his rebellion. Sima Yi made a decisive decision, and the Wei army entered the city to kill Mengda and captured more than 10,000 rebels. The new city was still occupied by Wei. In the spring of 231, Zhuge Liang led an army of 100,000 people out of Qishan for the fourth time to attack Cao Wei in the north. Sima Yi and Zhuge Liang battled wits in Qishan and successfully resisted Zhuge Liang's attack.

In the spring of 239, Emperor Ming of Wei was critically ill. Soon after, Emperor Ming died, and eight-year-old Cao Fang came to the throne. In the first month of 249, the Cao Shuang brothers took the young emperor to visit Gaoping Mausoleum and left the capital temporarily. Sima Yi made a decisive decision and launched the Gaopingling Incident, killing Cao Shuang's faction. In 251, Sima Yi, who controlled the government, died of illness. However, due to his scheming and scheming, Sima's power had already been deeply rooted in the government, so his death had no impact on the government. His descendants still control the affairs of the Cao family.

2. Sun Quan

Sun Quan, named Zhongmou, was born in Xiapi (now Pizhou, Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province). His father, Sun Jian, claimed to be the descendant of Sun Wu, a great military strategist in the Spring and Autumn Period. After his brother Sun Ce was killed, Sun Quan inherited his father's and brother's legacy, retained Jiangdong, and became a prince. Cao Cao expressed his power as the general against the captives and led the governor of Kuaiji. Sun Quan sent troops twice to pacify Shanyue and stabilize the situation in the six counties in Jiangdong.

In 208, he led an army to personally conquer Huang Zu and captured Jiangling. He reunited with Liu Bei and won the Battle of Chibi. In 221, Liu Bei personally led an army to attack Wu in order to avenge Guan Yu. On the one hand, Sun Quan took Lu Xun as the commander-in-chief to fight, and on the other hand, he professed his vassalship to Emperor Wen of Wei Cao Pi and was worshiped by Cao Pi as King of Wu. In March of the following year, Sun Quan defeated the Han army. Died of illness in 252.

The author Luo Guanzhong uses a series of vivid examples to create an image for readers of a politician and military strategist with a unique appearance, extraordinary courage, good governance of the country, and efficient military management.

3. Zhang Fei

Zhang Fei (approximately 166-221), named Yide, was born in Zhuojun, Youzhou (now Zhuozhou City, Hebei Province) and was a famous general of the Shu Han Dynasty during the Three Kingdoms period. Because of his extraordinary bravery, he and Guan Yu were called "the enemy of ten thousand people". Yu was several years older, so Brother Fei took care of him. When the Yellow Turban Uprising broke out in 184, Liu Bei organized a volunteer army in Zhuoxian County to participate in the war to exterminate the Yellow Turban Army. Zhang Fei joined Guan Yu and followed Liu Bei around.

The three of them love each other like brothers and sleep in the same bed. When Liu Bei attends various banquets, Guan Yu and Liu Bei stand by Liu Bei's side all day long. In 197, after Cao Cao attacked Lu Bu and Lu Bu was defeated, Zhang Fei was appointed Zhonglang General.

In 200 A.D., Liu Bei's command was revealed, and he led Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to escape and killed Pi Taishou's chariot. Liu Bei was defeated, Guan Yu was captured, and Liu Bei and Zhang Fei defected to Yuan Shao. When Liu Bei was defeated at Changbanpo in 208, Zhang Fei only led 20 cavalry to defeat him. No one in Cao's army dared to approach, so Liu Bei was spared.

4. Zhou Yu

Zhou Yu (175-210), courtesy name Gongjin, was born in Shu County, Lujiang (now Shu County, Hefei City, Anhui Province). A famous general in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, he was the son of Zhou Yi, the commander of Luoyang, his grandfather Zhou Jing and his uncle Zhou Zhong, both of whom rose to the rank of Taiwei.

He has a strong body, good looks, and fine music. There is a saying in Jiangdong that "If the music is wrong, Zhou Lang will take care of it." Zhou Yu had a good relationship with Sun Ce, and at the age of 21, he followed Sun Ce to the battlefield to pacify Jiangdong. Sun Ce was assassinated and Sun Quan succeeded him. Zhou Yu sent his troops to the funeral, leaving the Central Guard and Chief Shi Zhang Zhao in charge of everything.

In the thirteenth year of Jian'an (208 years), Zhou Yu led his army to join forces with Liu Bei and defeated Cao's army in the Battle of Chibi, thus laying the foundation for the "three-part world". In the 14th year of Jian'an (209), he became a partial general and became the prefect of Nanjun. He died of illness in Baqiu in the 15th year of Jian'an (210 years) at the age of 36.

5. Xia Houyuan

Xia Houyuan, named Miaocai, was born in Peiguoqiao (now Bozhou, Anhui). He was a famous general in the late Eastern Han Dynasty. He was good at running thousands of miles to fight. The general of the West was granted the title of Marquis of Bochangting.

In the early days, he accompanied Cao Cao on his expedition. During the Battle of Guandu, Cao Cao supervised the transportation of grain and grass, and also supervised the generals to put down the rebellions of Chang Xi, Xu He, Lei Xu, Shang Yao and others. Later, he led the army to conquer Guanzhong and Liangzhou, killed Liang Xing, chased Ma Chao, defeated Han Sui, destroyed Song Jian, swept away the Qiang, Di, Tuge and other foreign forces, and marched to the right of Guan. After Zhang Lu surrendered to Cao Cao, Xia Houyuan stayed in Hanzhong and resisted Liu Bei for more than a year. He was attacked by Liu Bei's general Huang Zhong at Dingjun Mountain and died in battle. He was posthumously named Minhou.