Ma Liang (187-222), also known as Baimei Ma Liang because of the white hairs in his eyebrows, was named Jichang. He was a native of Yicheng, Xiangyang (south of Yicheng, Hubei Province today), brother of Ma Di, and an official of the Shu Han Dynasty during the Three Kingdoms period. . So how did Ma Liang die in history?
1. Ma Liang, whose courtesy name was Jichang, was from Yicheng, Xiangyang (south of Yicheng, Hubei Province today). The five Ma Liang brothers are all talented and famous. There is a proverb for them in the village: "The five characteristics of the Ma family are white eyebrows." Ma Liang has white hairs in his eyebrows, so people call him that.
2. Follow Liu Bei. In the fourteenth year of Jian'an (209), Liu Bei served as the shepherd of Jingzhou and recruited Ma Liang to work for the state.
3. The 16th year of Jian'an (211 years). Liu Bei entered Shu, and Zhuge Liang followed him. Ma Liang stayed in Jingzhou and wrote to Zhuge Liang: "I heard that Luocheng has been captured by us. This is a blessing from God. Brother, please adapt to the current situation and seize the opportunity to assist Guang Da Bang. The radiance of wisdom has been revealed in the country's business. It is not easy to be able to think flexibly and make clear decisions. For this reason, talents must be selected at the right time and their benevolence can reach the sky so that people can focus their attention. Listen to his words, have the whole world obey his way, correct the voices of Zheng and Wei with sublime music, be beneficial to all undertakings, and not interfere with each other. This is the unique skill of orchestral performance, Yu Boya and Shi Kuang's Coordination. Although I am not Zhong Ziqi's generation, I still have to applaud him!" Liu Bei recruited Ma Liang as General Zuo.
4. As an envoy to Soochow. Later, Ma Liang was ordered to go to Soochow as an envoy. He said to Zhuge Liang: "Today I accept the order from the imperial court to consolidate the friendly relations between the two countries. I hope you can introduce my situation to General Sun Quan." Zhuge Liang and Ma Liang drafted this document himself. Ma Liang immediately drafted and said: "The monarch of our country specially sent his subordinate Ma Liang to visit and renew the good relationship, so as to carry forward the achievements of the alliance between Kunwu and Shewei. The person who came here is a good person, and he was an official in Jingchu. He is rarely rash and reckless, but some With his thorough virtues, I hope that I can accept him and help him complete his mission." After seeing the letter, Sun Quan received him very respectfully.
5. Killed. In the first year of Zhangwu (221), Liu Bei proclaimed himself emperor, established the Shu Han regime, and appointed Ma Liang as his minister. In the second year of Zhangwu (222), Liu Bei campaigned eastward against Soochow and sent Ma Liang to recruit and pacify the Wuxi tribes in the Wuling area. The leaders of each tribe accepted the seals of the Shu Han and responded to Liu Bei one after another. In June of the same year, Liu Bei was defeated in the Battle of Yiling, and Ma Liang was also killed. Liu Bei made Ma Liang's son Ma Bing the Cavalry Commander.
6. Ma Liang has a good relationship with Zhuge Liang. This can be seen from two things: Zhuge Liang followed Liu Bei into Shu, and Ma Liang wrote to Zhuge Liang saying that Luocheng (now Guanghan County, Sichuan) has been captured, and my brother should make great efforts to advance with victory. Based on this, people speculate that he and Zhuge Liang may be brothers or related. Zhuge Liang was older, so he called Liang his brother.
7. Ma Liang was ordered to go to Soochow as an envoy. He asked Zhuge Liang to write a letter of recommendation to Sun Quan. Zhuge Liang asked him to draft it himself and sign it. The last two sentences hope that Sun Quan "will surrender his heart and accept it, so as to comfort the general's life." After Sun Quan saw the letter, he treated him respectfully.
8. These two stories are recorded in "The Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms·Book of Shu·The Biography of Zhuge Liang". This already explains Ma Liang's role and status in Shu. In fact, there is another thing that explains Zhuge Liang's feelings for Ma Liang even more; that is the story of "Beheading Ma Su with tears". Zhuge was always cautious in employing people. For example, he was quite harsh and cautious with Wei Yan, but he made a major mistake on the issue of Ma Su. This was probably because he was not the same as his brother Ma Liang (Ma Liang had been dead for 6 years at this time). The reason for the "Lost Street Pavilion" was caused by mistakes due to deep feelings.
9. The first year of Zhangwu (221 AD). In order to avenge Soochow for killing Guan Yu, Liu Bei launched the "Battle of Yiling" to attack Soochow. Because Ma Liang was familiar with the customs and customs of the four southwest counties of Jingzhou, Liu Bei sent him to Wuling to unite with the "barbarians" to help Shu conquer Wu. He succeeded and was highly regarded by Liu Bei. Later, in the Battle of Yiling, Liu Bei was defeated and Ma Liang was also killed. He was only thirty-six years old.
10. Chen Shou's "Three Kingdoms" commented on Ma Liang's theory.
"Dong He dances like a lamb, Liu Ba behaves in a noble manner, Ma Liang is honest and honest, and is called a minister, Chen Zhen is loyal, old and wise, Dong Yunkuang is a master, his righteousness is reflected in his color, all of them are good ministers of Shu."
The above is an introduction to how Ma Liang died.