Ma Zhong (Shu Han)

Ma Zhong was a man of Langzhong in Bāxī. When Ma Zhong was a child, he was raised and adopted by his mother's family, hence he was surnamed Hú and named Dǔ. Ma Zhong afterward returned to his surname (back to Mǎ), and changed his name to Zhōng. He became a commandery clerk, at the End of the Han dynasty (196-220). After distinguishing himself in civil affairs, Ma Zhong was later nominated as xiàolián “filial and incorrupt” and sent out as Chief of Hànchāng.[1]

When Liu Bei led an eastern campaign in 222 and was defeated at the Battle of Xiaoting. The Administrator of Bāxī, Yan Zhi sent from all the various counties soldiers. And raised 5000 men as replacements for losses during the battle. Then, he put them under Ma Zhong's command to deliver them. Liu Bei had already returned to Yufu County (魚復縣; present-day Fengjie County, Chongqing), which he renamed "Yong'an" (永安; literally "everlasting peace"). While he was there and under the recommendation of his Director of the Secretariat Liu Ba, he personally met Ma Zhong and spoke with him of political affairs. Liu Bei was so impressed by Ma Zhong that he said to Liu Ba :

“Though I lost Huang Quan, I gained Hu Du (Ma Zhong). This shows that the world has no lack of talent.”[2]

When Liu Bei died in 223, he named Zhuge Liang and Li Yan as regents to support Liu Shan. The Chancellor Zhuge Liang opened his office and heard of Liu Bei's endorsement of Zhong's talents. So, he appointed him as Commander Beneath the Gates or supervisor of the palace guards. Zhuge Liang was further impressed by Ma Zhong's good conduct.[3]

In 225, Zhuge Liang launched a campaign against Yong Kai (雍闓)’s rebellion also known as Zhuge Liang's Southern Campaign, and appointed Ma Zhong as the Grand Administrator of Zangke, which had been in rebellion since the commander Deputy Zhu Bao (朱褒) defected in 223. After two years of constant revolt, the commandery was unruly yet Ma Zhong quickly quelled the rebels and pacified the region. As the Grand Administrator, he remained in the commandery and helped the region to recover. He proved his skills as an administrator as he brought relief and a harmonious government. Among the people of the region, Zhong deeply had authority and kindness.[4]

For the next five years, Ma Zhong stayed in Zhangke and helped to restore peace and prosperity to the commandery. However, in 230, Zhuge Liang summoned him to be an Advisor to the Army in Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions, and assisted the Chief Clerk Jiang Wan’s in the gouvernement's affairs during the defense of Shu. For his accomplishments, Zhong was given an office as Advisor in Provincial Internal Government.[5]

Next year, in 231. Zhuge Liang set out against the foreign tribes Qíshān. Zhong visited where Zhuge Liàng was and helped him in the military affairs. Zhong led the army with the brave Commanding General Zhang Ni and others to quelled the rebelling Qiāng in Wènshān commandery.[6]

In 233, the southern foreigner Liu Zhou gathered support among the many tribes and rebelled. His rebellion was such that it disturbed most of the commanderiess. The Commander of Láijiàng Zhang Yi (Bogong) was unable to quell the rebellion and summoned back. However before returning, Zhang Yi gathered supplies to helped Ma Zhong and make sure his army was well provided. Zhong was sent to succeed him. Ma Zhong thereupon led his army and defeated the rebelled army, and finally beheaded Liu Zhou. With his victory, he pacified the southern lands. Ma Zhong was given additional office as Supervisor of the Army and General Exerting Authority with a fief as Marquis of Bóyáng Village.[7]

Before Zhong arrived and during Yong Kai's rebellion. In Jiànníng commandery, the rebels killed the Administrator Zheng Ang and bounded the other Administrator Zhang Yi but they did not dare to kill him so instead they sent him as a captive to Eastern Wu therefore the Commander by fear had always garrisoned away in Píngyí county. But when Zhong became Commander, he would not do this and moved his headquarters to Wei County, Handan residing among the Han population and foreigners. Also Yuèxī commandery had long been lost territory. And so to retake it, Ma Zhong led with the vanguard general Zhang Ni a victorious campaign against the various tribes and was able to restore the old commandery. For his help, Ma Zhong was promoted to General Who Stabilises the South (安南將軍) and advanced in fief to Marquis of Péngxiāng Village (彭鄉亭侯).[8]

In 242, Laixiang was again a calm territory and Ma Zhong was called back to Chengdu to the Court. After, he was sent to Hànzhōng and met the Marshal-in-Chief Jiang Wan to help oversee the defenses against Cao Wei and deliver an Imperial Order. Jiang Wan also promoted him to Senior General Who Guards the South (鎮南大將軍).[9]

Two years later, in the spring of 244. A large Wei army under the command of Cao Shuang attacked Hanzhong at the Battle of Xingshi. Wang Ping commanded the initial defenses however the General-in-Chief Fei Yi wanted to lead reinforcements to the north. During this time, Ma Zhong was put in charge of the gouvernement affairs in Chengdu, Zhong repaid Yi's trust and did well during his absence. When Fei Yi returned, he sent Zhong back protect the south against the raid of the tribal tribes.[10]

Ma Zhong stayed in the south and kept the land peaceful for another 5 years.He died in 249 and was greatly mourned by all of the people of Laixiang, foreign clans and Han. His son Xiū succeeded him. While Xiū's younger brother Huī has his son Yì as a Jìn Administrator of Jianning County.[11]

Ma Zhong had three sons: Ma Xiu (馬脩), Ma Hui (馬恢) and Ma Rong (馬融). Ma Hui's son, Ma Yi (馬義), served as the Administrator of Jianning Commandery during the Jin dynasty.

Ma Zhong as a man was generous and benevolent in his treatment of people but he was also whimsical and liked to tease others then greatly laughed. However when he was furious, he would not let him be apparent. Yet, when handling civil and military affairs he was decisive and would show both authority and kindness. Therefore the foreigners both awed and loved him. When he died, all of them were present in the funeral hall and wept for him with utmost sorrow. They established for him a Temple to commemorate his memory.[12]

Zhang Biao was a famous scholar whose reputation for refinement surpassed Ma Zhong. Yet with the possible exception of Li Hui, Ma Zhong was the most popular area commander for Shu-Han's southern lands. Yan Yu showed ability and was successful as a commander while being diligent and conscientious in the civil affairs. Along with Zhang Biao, they were in charge of administering the south after Ma Zhong's death however their authority and merits both never reached those of Ma Zhong.[13]

• Lists of people of the Three Kingdoms

• Chen, Shou (3rd century). Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi).
• Pei, Songzhi (5th century). Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi zhu).