• When using "Direct Instruction", the recipient of the equipment card cannot decline to equip it. Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong forcibly equip the card.

• Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong cannot take equipment from their own area to give to others for "Direct Instruction." The equipment must be from their hand.

• If only one card is discarded, "Stubborn" allows them to keep that card, but no additional cards can be taken.

• "Fallen Bloom" from Cao Zhi takes priority over "Stubborn" for club-suited cards during discard phases. "Stubborn" can still apply to non-club cards.

• "Direct Instruction" makes Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong excellent support characters. They can equip allies while increasing their own hand size, and they can also disrupt enemy characters by giving them unwanted equipment.

• "Stubborn" allows Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong to gain a strong card advantage from both allies and enemies, especially from characters who discard multiple cards each turn.

• If Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong gain access to multiple Attack cards, they can become quite formidable with the Crossbow, as "Stubborn" allows them to gather discarded Attacks to strike multiple times.

• They excel in team settings, providing continuous support, but are much weaker in one-on-one combat.

• "Direct Instruction" can create a dilemma when deciding whether to equip allies or keep the equipment for themselves.

• "Stubborn" is less useful against aggressive characters who discard fewer cards, limiting their ability to gain from it.

• Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong have no direct defensive abilities aside from "Stubborn", making them vulnerable in combat.

• Their low health (three units) makes them easy targets, especially if their abilities fail to generate a significant card advantage.

• Card Generators:
  Characters like Zhen Ji, Yuan Shu, Zhou Yu, Forest Cao Cao, and Huang Yueying can draw many cards each turn. This greatly enhances Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong's "Stubborn", allowing them to recover discarded cards more effectively. Yuan Shu is especially valuable because his ability causes him to discard extra cards, which Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong can then gather.

• Equipment Synergy:
  Characters such as Sun Shangxiang and Ling Tong benefit from equipment being placed in their areas, making Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong's "Direct Instruction" highly beneficial. By giving equipment, they help trigger abilities that rely on having equipped items.

• Discard Manipulators:
  Ling Tong's "Whirlwind" forces multiple cards to be discarded, which Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong can pick up with "Stubborn." Da Qiao's "Capture" ability also forces enemies to discard more cards, further boosting Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong's card advantage.

• Discard Competitors:
  Cao Zhi, with his "Fallen Bloom" ability, competes with Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong for discarded cards, as he takes club-suited ones first. However, Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong can still capitalize on the non-club-suited discards. Similarly, Xu Huang's "Blockade" forces mass discards, allowing Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong to take advantage.

• Interfering Characters:
  Characters like Wu Guotai can disrupt Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong's "Direct Instruction." Her "Exposure" targets equipment, potentially removing what Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong have equipped to their allies.

King

• • Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong can make a decent king choice with the right team, especially if loyalists like Yuan Shu or Ling Tong can assist in discarding cards and providing a flow of equipment. However, their low health and lack of defenses make them a risky king.

Loyalist

• • As a loyalist, Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong shine by helping the king gather cards and providing equipment to strengthen their defenses.

Rebel

• • Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong work well as rebels, using "Direct Instruction" to give weapons to fellow rebels and exploiting "Stubborn" to weaken the king’s resources.

Spy

• • As a spy, Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong are not ideal. Their abilities rely heavily on team dynamics, and their low health makes them vulnerable. They also struggle to defeat the king in one-on-one combat.

Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong are utility-focused characters who can provide significant support to their team, but they require careful management of their abilities. "Direct Instruction" can be a powerful tool for helping allies or disrupting enemies, but deciding when to use it can be tricky. "Stubborn" is the backbone of their strategy, as it enables them to gain cards from others’ discard phases, giving them more tools to continue supporting the team. Their role is best suited to a supportive position rather than leading the assault, and players must weigh the benefits of helping their team against their own vulnerability due to their low health.

Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong were two of the most prominent advisors and administrators in the early Wu dynasty, serving both Sun Ce and later his brother, Sun Quan. Zhang Zhao was originally recruited by Sun Ce during his campaign to conquer Jiangdong, where he impressed the young warlord with his political insight and administrative skills. Zhang Hong, who also joined during this time, worked closely alongside him, helping manage the growing territories under Wu's control.

When Sun Quan succeeded his brother as the ruler of Wu, Zhang Zhao became one of his chief counselors. His advice was instrumental in stabilizing the Wu government, especially in military campaigns and political strategy. Zhang Hong, though less prominent in some accounts, also played a vital role, especially in administration. The two were key figures in shaping the development of the Wu state.

During the famous Battle of Red Cliffs, which marked the beginning of the alliance between Liu Bei and Sun Quan, Zhang Zhao and Zhang Hong's counsel was invaluable. They urged Sun Quan to ally with Liu Bei against the powerful northern warlord Cao Cao, emphasizing the strategic advantages of defending the Yangtze River region. Their political maneuvering helped lay the groundwork for one of the most famous battles in Chinese history.

In the game, their abilities reflect their roles as key administrators. "Direct Instruction" mirrors their ability to arm and support their allies, providing equipment and resources, while "Stubborn" reflects their resilience and ability to recover from difficult situations, much like how they helped Wu withstand internal and external challenges. The administrative and advisory roles they played in history are key to understanding why they work best as support characters in Sanguosha, empowering others while staying in the background.