Maharbal vs Zhang Fei

Maharbal commanded the Numidian cavalry on the right wing at the Battle of Cannae. His cavalry routed the Roman allied cavalry and then pursued them, preventing them from reforming. This contributed to Hannibal's encirclement and destruction of the Roman army.

After the Roman defeat at Cannae, Maharbal led a force to capture the Roman camp. He secured the camp and its supplies, completing the Carthaginian victory and preventing Roman survivors from regrouping.

After Cannae, Maharbal urged Hannibal to march on Rome immediately, reportedly saying he would feast in the Capitol within five days. Hannibal refused, a decision Maharbal criticized. This moment became famous as a missed opportunity to end the war.

Maharbal led Carthaginian forces to capture the city of Casilinum in Campania. The city fell after a siege, and Maharbal's forces secured the area for Hannibal's campaign in southern Italy.

After Cao Cao's cavalry caught up with Liu Bei's fleeing army at Changban, Zhang Fei held the bridge with only 20 horsemen. He shouted a challenge to the enemy, and fearing an ambush, Cao Cao's forces did not advance, allowing Liu Bei to escape.

During Liu Bei's invasion of Yi Province, Zhang Fei captured the enemy general Yan Yan. Impressed by Yan Yan's defiance, Zhang Fei released him and treated him as an honored guest, a rare act of mercy that helped win over local support.

While preparing for Liu Bei's campaign against Wu, Zhang Fei was murdered in his sleep by his own subordinates, Fan Jiang and Zhang Da. They cut off his head and delivered it to Sun Quan. His death was a severe blow to Shu Han.