The vs. Thread

[Dong Zhou]

I wouldn't call either one of the great minds of the era. Not as an insult, both highly intelligent men but just think there are others who were even greater.

I would probably go for Zhou Yu as the better strategist despite not knowing how his invasion of Yi would end up but perhaps Sima Yi (no slouch as he could be a bold strategist bar facing Zhuge Liang) the better all round mind given his political and propaganda abilities. Both perhaps strengths also lay in parts of their personality, Zhou Yu made a good commander becuase of his good nature, Sima Yi was successful becuase he had a ruthlessness that Cao Shuang (who did beat him politically for some time) lacked

[Elitemsh]

I don't think Zhou Yu was an especially good strategist but an excellent military leader. He did have the wisdom to recognise good strategy but they were pretty much all Lu Meng. I'd still pick Zhou Yu over Sima Yi any day. It was ridiculous what Sima Yi did with Zhang He unless he wanted him to die.