Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye are basically the gold standard for danmei relationships around these parts. I think they're a good, balanced pair (lots of sword/sheath metaphors in play between them). However, I also agree with the critiques that their relationship is rather abrupt. The enemies + s*xual tension is written pretty well, and the lovers + s*xual tension is also written pretty well, but the transition between these two states is very fast and happens mostly offscreen (if at all). This is not too big of a problem, I feel. A bigger problem is the nature of their long distance relationship in books 2 and 3. Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye have different motivations, goals, and obligations, despite their similar circumstances (trapped beasts in Qudu). This was established at the start. This is fine. But when they escape the cage, this means that their paths mostly diverge. So, while both of them have character development, this development is (mostly) unaffected by their relationship. Whenever their goals intersect (see: the battle against Hasen at Duanzhou, which is one of the absolute highlights of the second half of the story), we get some amazing stuff. Unfortunately, this doesn't happen too often, so their relationship remains mostly stagnant. I would've loved to see how the changes to them as people changes their relationship, but from the beginning of Book 2 to the end of Book 3, the most major development either of them gets from their relationship is Shen Zechuan abandoning his self-sacrificial mentality (and even that wasn't 100% his relationship!)

Don't get me wrong, their relationship is qualitatively good and important to the plot, but I disagree that it's the best relationship in the book.

Now, onto one of the actual best relationships in the whole book (personal opinion only) : Qi Huilian and his impact on Shen Zechuan (and Xie Xiuzhuo, and Yao Wenyu). Of the handful of times I was very emotionally moved throughout the novel, two of them have to do with Qi Huilian: I believe that both his introduction and his conclusion were some of the best written parts of the entire novel. It is through Qi Huilian that we meet the stakes, that Shen Zechuan's life changes forever (and the seeds of his motivation are planted), and that we get some of the best monologues of the book. Even though Shen Zechuan is the protagonist, Qi Huilian is the actual bastion of idealism and hope in the country, and also the single person who has the largest impact on Shen Zechuan. Xiao Chiye gives Shen Zechuan the earring, but Qi Huilian gave Shen Zechuan his identity back (symbolized by the courtesy name).

Xi Hongxuan: everybody seems to hate this guy, but I quite like him. His signature noble greed is his downfall, but for a minor antagonist, he is resourceful and decisive, managing to exact his revenge on his clan even as he dies. Speaking of death, quite a few characters in this novel (all of whom are very different) die by fire. He is one of them. Possibly a metaphor signifying their entire life's work crumbling with them? Possibly a coincidence. Shen Zechuan's dealings with him were also a very good way to establish his (Shen Zechuan's) personality, intelligence, and vindictiveness.

Xiao Chiye and Li Jianheng have a very interesting relationship, and I really like how the author outlined the souring of it with Li Jianheng's change in position. A very realistic look at what that changed power dynamic would do to people--Li Jianheng knows what Xiao Chiye wants and has the power to grant it but cannot due to the considerations he must make. Li Jianheng himself is rather ignorant and wishy-washy, but you can't help but feel for him, and his last conversation with Xiao Chiye is also memorable.

Xie Xiuzhuo: not much to say about him other than that he's incredible! He's a foil to pretty much all of the important cast on the strategizing/governing side of things. He is selfless to an incredible degree

While I would say Book 1 is the strongest written and the most focused on Xiao Chiye's and Shen Zechuan's relationship (also with the most excellent 'antagonists' overall), the later books do excel at introducing and fleshing out neutral characters and allies.

The Xiao family is very close-knit and bound by love. This is evidenced by lots of small things, such as the jacket Xiao Fangxu refuses to get rid of, the fact that the Xiao family traditionally only take one lover (in steep contrast to Qi Shiyu), etc. However, Xiao Jiming gets incredibly sidelined after his injury. In wartime, it makes sense that he only takes on a commanding role behind the scenes, but even his wife and son have a more explicit presence w.r.t. Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye than he does. Which is fine, but I wish there was more. Xiao Chiye avenging his father's death, though, was a great moment.

Yao Wenyu is a great character, with a heartbreaking official introduction to the story. I'm glad that the author committed to the bit and didn't retcon his leg injuries. So often is disability and the curing of it used as a copout, so I'm glad it was well addressed with him. On one hand, life would objectively be easier without disabled legs and a life-threatening poison in the system, but on the other hand, Yao Wenyu would not even be present in the story had it not been for this misfortune. It is because of this change in him that his relationship with Qiao Tianya was made possible, and it is also because of this change that everything was cut short. Rather bittersweet to think about, more bitter than sweet when you consider the f*cking extras... I do wish we got to see more of the effects of Yao Wenyu's plots and plans, though. He's nominally the strategist, but the majority of the time when big events happen, Shen Zechuan is still the shotcaller while Yao Wenyu's contributions are not highlighted. I also wish we got more about his introduction to Qiao Tianya, the zither, and the Qiao and Shao clans. In general, I feel that if this was added, it would not only flesh out the relationship between Yao Wenyu and Qiao Tianya but also add gravity to the finale of Book 3.

Fei Sheng: no notes, perfect character. His father-son bond with old general Yin Chang moved me to tears. When he was begging to open the gates and save his adoptive dad even when everyone (including Yin Chang) had accepted the outcome? Heartbreaking. How he grows from a self-serving individual seeking power and fame to a worthwhile general ready to lay his life down on the line for the bigger picture? Incredible. His contentious frenemy relationships with Qiao Tianya and Huo Lingyun? Hilarious. I love this guy.

Qi Zhuyin is pretty incredible and generally a very likable character, especially considering her precarious position as a friend of the 'rebels' but a subject of the country. I disagree with the evaluations of her as Mary Sue (as mentioned in the author's notes) because while she's excellent, she's also on par competence-wise with fellow generals Xiao Jiming and Lu Guangbai (who nobody considers Gary Stus--fascinating how misogyny works, eh?) I like her dynamic with the guys and her backstory. I think that while some of the other women in the story (particularly Li Jianting, who is the epitome of a tragic and strong woman) deal with objectively worse consequences of misogyny (in this case, pe*ophilia and r*pe), Qi Zhuyin's breakdown in the desert where she questions what part of her isn't good enough is probably a universal experience to women in the world. On the other hand, Hua Xiangyi felt a lot like a plot device, only there to catalyze certain actions of Qi Zhuyin's. The only time we see her really caring about anything is when she burns the account books when her aunt the Empress Dowager dies. Their relationship is cute, though.

Hasen!! I really like Hasen, even if the whole gang dislikes him. There's a bit in the novel that goes something like '[he would] never kneel to Xiao Chiye. When the twelve tribes kneeled to Dazhou, countless people starved to death in the desert', and I think that including this was so important. To Dazhou, he is the enemy, but to Hanshe, he is a well-loved hero. He and Xiao Chiye are two sides of the same coin, and he never really goes too far in the warcrime department either. The battle he leads at Duanzhou is definitely the best and most gripping climax in the latter half of the story, and part of the reason for this is because he is such a compelling, developed, and competent antagonist--so much so that it takes nearly every relevant member of the Libei-Zhongbo cast to face off against him. Possibly one of the most human and sympathetic of the Biansha cavalry.

On the other hand, the Scorpions on Shen Zechuan's side are lacking in characterization. Li Xiong is very cute, but his storyline is rather abrupt. He changes loyalties all of a sudden, and the allusion to his longing for his hometown never really goes anywhere. Hairigu pretty much disappears after Qi Zhuyin disagrees with the land arrangements. I feel that the potential here is wasted. Huo Lingyun is another character who I think deserved more of a spotlight. Fengquan too--I caught the foreshadowing about Mu Ru and the earring and the Shao clan, but his schemes are unveiled too late in the story that the tension kind of goes nowhere and he feels shoehorned in, despite the fact that there was actually setup for him. Xie Xiuzhuo, I feel, is an example of a key player being foreshadowed more effectively.

There was also an interesting little gay backstory between Kong Ling and Lao Mu, which might've been to appeal to the tragic old man yaoi fans. While it didn't serve too much of a purpose story-wise, I appreciate it being there.

a bit scared that Shen Zechuan was playing Xiao Chiye at first, but I'm glad that wasn't the case

their final victories left me reeling with joy, it also left a bitter after taste because all sides had great and formidable characters and personalities that invoked upon them my admiration. Their relentless passion and steadfastness was awe inspiring

The last fight that everything was building towards was kind of a let-down compared to other events in the book.