Ma Su

Ma Su (190–228), courtesy name Youchang, was a Chinese military general and politician of the state of Shu Han in the Three Kingdoms period of China. Ma Su had conspicuous talent in military theories and was admired by the Shu chancellor Zhuge Liang. However, a tactical blunder by Ma Su at the Battle of Jieting resulted in Shu being dealt a huge defeat by Zhang He, a general of the rival state of Wei. He was a younger brother of Ma Liang. Much dramatisation shrouds the death of Ma Su. According to the biography of Ma Su's close friend Xiang Lang, Ma Su was said to have attempted to flee with no further information if it was after or during his defeat at Jieting, but was captured. Following this, he was executed on Zhuge Liang's order and seemed to have face death with dignity. Most of the cultural's depictions concentrate on the latter part such as the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms as well as the Peking opera Loss of Jieting. Early life Ma Su was born in Yicheng, Xiangyang Commandery, which is present-day Yicheng, Hubei. He was one of the five brothers in the Ma family, all of whom were renowned for their intellects and commonly known as the "Five Changs" (五常) as their style names all contained "Chang" (常). Although, Ma Su's elder brother Ma Liang was deemed to be the most talented among them all. Aside from his personal talent and military knowledge, Ma Su was described as a man about eight chi tall (approximately 1.84 metres), sociable and good at making friends. With a bright mind and deep expertise. Together with Ma Liang, Ma Su began his service as an Assistant Officer (從事) under Liu Bei around 209, when Liu Bei succeeded Liu Qi as Governor of Jing Province (covering present-day Hubei and Hunan). In 211, he accompanied Liu Bei into Yi Province. Later, when conflict broke out between Liu Bei and Liu Zhang , Ma Su followed him with the army and served as a military advisor alongside Pang Tong and Fa Zheng. He was appointed as Prefect (令) of Mianzhu (綿竹) and Chengdu (成都). Thereafter, Ma Su was transferred to serve as Administrator of Yuexi (越嶲太守), a troubled commandery in the south. Yuexi was home to numerous indigenous tribes, many of whom refused to accept Liu Bei’s authority. It was the site of a significant tribal revolt led by Gao Ding (高定), the chief of the Sou tribe (叟族) in 218 that was successfully quelled with help from Li Yan.