Ma Zhong

Ma Zhong (died 249), courtesy name Dexin, originally named Hu Du, was a Chinese military general and politician of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China. Liu Bei was quite impressed by Ma Zhong and praised him highly, comparing him to the recently defected Huang Quan, Ma Zhong was trusted and respected by the following head of the government Zhuge Liang, Jiang Wan and Fei Yi. After Liu Bei's death, he served under Zhuge Liang during the Southern Campaign and helped to quell the rebellion. He was appointed as the area commander in the south after Li Hui's death. He spends most of his life pacify the region and protecting the people of the south often with the help of Zhang Ni. Ma Zhong was known as a generous and whimsical man but he was also decisive in handling affairs. Hence the southern tribes both feared him and respected him. His duty in the south could be comparable to Wang Ping in the north and Deng Zhi in the east. After his death, the foreigners sorely missed him and later established a temple in his honor. Early life Ma Zhong was from Langzhong County (閬中), Baxi Commandery (巴西), which is located within present-day Sichuan. When Ma Zhong was a child, he was raised and adopted by his mother's family, hence he was surnamed Hu and named Du. Ma Zhong afterward returned to his surname (back to Ma), and changed his name to Zhong. 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. Meeting Liu Bei When Liu Bei led an eastern campaign in 222 and was defeated at the Battle of Xiaoting. The Administrator of Baxī, Yan Zhi (閻芝) sent from all the various counties soldiers. And raised 5 000 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 : Service under Zhuge Liang When Liu Bei died in 223, he named Zhuge Liang and Li Yan as regents to support Liu Shan.