After Liu Bei seized control of Jing Province, Zhou Yu, the great general of Eastern Wu, became determined to retake it. Hearing that Liu Bei's wife had recently passed away, Zhou Yu devised a plan: he would arrange for Sun Quan's younger sister to marry Liu Bei, inviting Liu Bei to come to Eastern Wu for the wedding.

In the year 219 AD, Cao Cao fought fiercely with Liu Bei to seize Jing Province, a strategically vital location. Liu Bei's general Guan Yu heavily besieged Xiangyang, while Cao Cao's cousin Cao Ren held firm in Fancheng, adjacent to Xiangyang, putting him in a difficult situation.

After personally leading his army to defeat Lü Bu, Liu Bei followed Cao Cao to the capital city of Xuchang. Although Cao Cao outwardly treated Liu Bei with great respect, he was actually very suspicious and often sent people to spy on Liu Bei's activities.

In 202 AD, Yuan Shao fell seriously ill and soon died. His three sons immediately began a power struggle: the eldest son was excluded, power passed to the second son, and the youngest supported this decision. Naturally, the eldest son refused to accept it, and thus the Yuan brothers began a civil war.

Huo Guang, styled Zimeng, was a powerful minister during the mid-Western Han Dynasty. Upon the death of Emperor Wu of Han, Huo Guang followed the late emperor's will and served as regent for Emperor Zhao of Han. After Emperor Zhao's death, Huo Guang first installed Prince Liu He of Changyi as emperor, and soon after installed Emperor Xuan of Han.

Luan Shu was a senior minister of the State of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period. Due to his repeated military achievements, he was promoted to commander-in-chief of the central army. In 585 BC, the State of Chu sent tens of thousands of elite troops to attack Zheng. Unable to resist, Zheng appealed to Jin for help. Duke Jing of Jin dispatched Luan Shu to lead the relief force.

During the reign of King Xuan of Western Zhou, there were two prominent ministers at court: Yin Jifu and Zhong Shanfu. They assisted King Xuan and achieved remarkable accomplishments. Yin Jifu's given name was Jia; "Yin" was his official title. He had led troops to repel invasions by the Youxian people from the northwest and had been commissioned to collect tribute from tribes such as the Nanhuaiyi around Chengzhou (modern-day eastern Luoyang, Henan). Zhong Shanfu was enfeoffed in the Fan region (south of modern-day Chang'an, Shaanxi).

During the Warring States period, the State of Zhao had two capable officials—one military and one civil. The military general was Lian Po, a brave and skilled warrior who led his troops to numerous victories against states such as Qi and Wei, earning a reputation for valor among the feudal lords.

Lord Pingyuan of the State of Zhao was one of the four renowned noblemen of the Warring States period. It is said he had several thousand retainers, among whom was Mao Sui. In 257 BC, the Qin army besieged Handan, the capital of Zhao. King Huiwen of Zhao sent Lord Pingyuan to the State of Chu to request military assistance. However, the King of Chu was not easily persuaded, so Lord Pingyuan took twenty of his retainers with him.

During the late Warring States period, the state of Chu had declined from its former strength and prosperity. After King Xiang of Chu ascended the throne, he spent his days in pleasure and entertainment, neglecting state affairs, and even appointed the corrupt minister Zilan as his chief minister. After Zilan seized control of the government, the court became corrupt and disordered, and the people suffered terribly.