Ma Yuan (General)

Ma Yuan sculpture in Hainan

Ma Yuan ( Chinese  馬 援  /  马援 , Pinyin Ma Yuán ; † 49 ) was a Chinese general under the Han dynasty . The Shu General Ma Chao is descended from him.

Life

He helped the Han emperor Guangwu unite the empire and restore the Han dynasty. He also led campaigns against the tribes in what is now Vietnam and suppressed the uprising of the Trưng sisters Trưng Trắc ( 徵 側 , Zhen Ce ) and Trưng Nhị ( 徵 貳 , Zheng Er ).

One of his greatest successes was the subjugation of the Nanman in the south of the empire. For this he received the honorary title of Oppressor of the Deep . The area he conquered is roughly identical to what is now northern Vietnam. He was verifiably venerated by the Nanman and a temple was built for him, but it has not yet been located.

Ma Yuan also defeated the warlord Wei Ao ( 隗 囂 ), who had established himself in what is now eastern Gansu .

During a campaign in 49 against the Wulin tribes (in what is now eastern Gansu and northwestern Hunan ), an epidemic spread among Ma Yuan's soldiers, most of which fell victim, including Ma Yuan. His deputy Geng Shu, who disagreed with Ma Yuan's strategy, plotted with Emperor Guangwu's son-in-law Liang Song (who also harbored grudges against Ma Yuan). They slandered Ma Yuan and charged him with many crimes (most of which have not been reported to us). Two important charges were that on the way to the Wulin tribes he was responsible for the plague himself and that he had embezzled pearls and rhinoceros horn during the campaign . Emperor Guangwu was deceived and posthumously revoked his fiefdom and marquis title from Ma Yuan .

meaning

Ma Yuan is one of the most famous generals in Chinese history , but less because of his military successes and more because of his perseverance and respect for friends and subordinates. In addition to his military skills, he received praise for his discipline. His daughter became empress under Emperor Ming and was highly respected.

Two Chinese proverbs are attributed to Ma Yuan: " Wrapping the body in horse leather" ( 馬革裹屍 ) means something like giving up a responsibility to a warrior who is ready to die on the battlefield . Ma Yuan is believed to have used this phrase when telling a friend why he wanted to continue doing military service.

The other is "to draw a tiger inappropriately makes a dog" ( 畫 虎 不成 反 類 犬 ). With these words he is said to have exhorted his nephews to be careful in their behavior and not to try to imitate Du Bao (a hero of her time). Because if someone imitates Du Bao who is not as heroic as he is, he would end up as a nefarious crook.