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Ma Su

Shu Han officer and brother of Ma Liang whom Zhuge Liang trusted with the vanguard in 228, and whose defeat by Zhang He at Jieting wrecked the first northern campaign

Also known as Zi Youchang

Ma Su, courtesy name Youchang, came from Yicheng in Xiangyang and was the younger brother of Ma Liang; he followed Liu Bei into Shu and governed Mianzhu, Chengdu and Yuexi in turn. Zhuge Liang prized his talent and his love of strategic debate, though the dying Liu Bei warned that Ma Su's words outran his abilities. The Xiangyang Records, cited in Pei Songzhi's commentary, say that when Zhuge Liang marched south in 225 Ma Su advised that winning hearts mattered more than taking cities. In 228 he led the vanguard at Jieting, ignored his orders, left the water to camp on a hill, and was routed when the Wei general Zhang He cut off his water, which ended the campaign. The Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi) says in one place that he died in prison aged thirty-nine and in another that Zhuge Liang executed him to answer to the army. The Xiangyang Records add that Zhuge Liang wept for him and cared for his family.

Life and times

  1. 190 CEBornHanThree Kingdoms
  2. 225Zhuge Liang Southern CampaignTook partage 35Winning hearts through seven captures of Meng Huo, integrating the Southwest into the imperial fold.
    1. Zhuge Liang Pacifies NanzhongChancellor Zhuge Liang led the southern expedition across the Jinsha River, winning hearts and minds through the strategic reconciliation of local tribes.
  3. 228Ma Su Defeated at Jietingage 38On Zhuge Liang's first northern campaign, Ma Su disobeyed orders and was routed by Zhang He at Jieting, forcing the Shu Han army back to Hanzhong.
  4. 228 CEDied

Connections

  1. Shared events2
    1. Zhuge Liang181 CE–234 CE
    2. Meng Huo185 CE–245 CE
  2. Interactions1
    1. Zhang HePhysical: Fought at Jieting · Birth unknown–231…Ma Su Defeated at Jieting
  3. Rulers and officials1
    1. Liu BeiSovereign · 161 CE–223 CE