Han Xin wrote:Both Ma Su and Jiang Wei basically were Zhuge Liang students, did Zhuge Liang wanted to mold them into the same type of generals, or did he have different goal for them?
This is not a comparison thread, so please do not say who is better between these two.
There wasn't much mentioned about Ma Su being Zhuge Liang's student (except maybe in the novel). In Xiang Yang Ji, it was recorded that Ma Su treated Zhuge Liang like his father and he said that before he died. Ma Su shared the same viewpoint as Zhuge Liang regarding the Nanman campaign and it was merely a coincidence.
Also, it was not explicitly mentioned that Zhuge Liang accepted Jiang Wei as his student though he was full of admiration for Jiang Wei and was instrumental in his rapid promotion in Shu.
IMO, they were not mold by Zhuge Liang intentionally to further his directions. Rather, Jiang Wei was greatly influenced by Zhuge Liang and he himself might even strive to outdo his predecessor (thus launching all those worthless campaigns). As for Ma Su, his timely comment regarding the treatment of Nanman might be the factor that impress Zhuge Liang and thus caused him to be tasked with a great military responsibility even though he was more on the civil side.