Hu Du

Ma Zhong (died 249), courtesy name Dexin, originally named Hu Du, was a military general of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He 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 styled Déxìn was a man of Làngzhōng in Bāxī. When young he was raised by his outer family [maternal side relatives], was surnamed Hú, named Dǔ, and afterward then again returned to his surname [back to Mǎ], and changed his name to Zhōng. He became a commandery clerk, at the end of Jiàn'ān [196-220] was nominated as xiàolián “filial and inccorrupt,” and sent out as Chief of Hànchāng.

Liu Bei led an eastern campaign in 222, was defeated at Xiaoting, and Administrator of Bāxī Yan Zhi sent from all the various counties soldiers, 5000 men, as replacements for losses, and sent Zhong to deliver them. Liu Bei had already returned to Yǒng'ān, met Zhong and spoke with him, and said to Director of the Secretariat Liu Ba: “Though I lost Huang Quan, I gained Hu Du (Ma Zhong). This shows the world has no lack of talent.”

In 223, Chancellor Zhuge Liang opened his office, and appointed Zhong Commander Beneath the Gates.

In 225, the commandery Deputy Zhu Bao rebelled. Zhuge Liang entered the south and appointed Zhong as Administrator of Zāngkē. After the rebellion, Zhong brought relief and reasonable government, and deeply had authority and kindness.

In 230, he was summoned to be an Advisor to the Army of the Chancellor, and assisted the Chief Clerk Jiang Wan’s office in headquarters affairs. He was also given office as Advisor in Provincial Internal Government.

Next year, in 231. Zhuge Liang set out against Qíshān. Zhong visited where Liàng was and engaged in military affairs. The army returned. Commanding General Zhang Ni and others suppressed Wènshān commandery’s rebellling Qiāng.

In 233, the southern foreigner powerful commander Liu Zhou rebelled, and disturbed all the commanders. Commander of Láijiàng Zhang Yi (Bogong) was summoned back, and Zhong succeeded Yì. Zhong thereupon beheaded Liu Zhou and pacified the southern lands. Zhong was given additional office as Supervisor of the Army and General Exerting Authority with fief as Marquis of Bóyáng precinct.

Previously, Jiànníng commandery killed its Administrator Zheng Ang, bound its Administrator Zhang Yi and sent him to Eastern Wu, and therefore the Commander had always garrisoned Píngyí county. When Zhong became Commander he thereupon moved headquarters to Wei county, residing among the people and foreigners. Also Yuèxī commandery had also long been lost territory. Zhong led Administrator Zhang Ni in opening up and restoring the old commandery, and by this he was promoted to General Calming the South, advanced in fief to Marquis of Péngxiāng precinct.

In 242, he returned to Court, and therefore was sent to Hànzhōng and met Marshal-in-Chief Jiǎng Wǎn to deliver an Imperial Order, and was promoted to General-in-Chief Defending the South.

In 244 spring, General-in-Chief Fei Yī to the north resisted the Cao Wei enemies, and left Zhong at Chengdū to oversee Secretariat affairs. Yī returned, and Zhong therefore returned south.

In 249, he died. His son Xiū succeeded. Xiū’s younger brother Huī. Huī’s son Yì was a Jìn Administrator of Jiànníng.

Zhōng as a man was generous and had magnanimity, but was whimsical and teased and greatly laughed, and when furious it did not show on his face. However in handling affairs he could be decisive, and was both authoritative and kind, and therefore the foreigners both feared and loved him. When he died, none of them did not personally go the funeral hall, weeping with utmost sorrow, and they established for him a Temple with sacrifices, which up to now [~290] is still present.

Zhang Biao was at the time a famous scholar, whose reputation for refinement surpassed Zhong. Yan Yu showed ability for achievement and in affairs was meticulous and diligent. They continued [administering the south] after Zhong, but their authority and merits both did not match Zhong.