Shu armyMa (Shu Han)
Ma Su
馬謖
“The Adviser Executed in Tears”
190–228 (aged 39)
- Rank / office
- Army Adviser
- Domain / base
- Shu Han
- Battles in 3D
- 1 battle
Later imagined depiction · Source: Wikimedia Commons (public domain)
Attacking cities is the lesser way; attacking hearts the greater.
Xiangyang Ji, quoted in the commentary to the Records of the Three Kingdoms
Younger brother of the Jing Province notable Ma Liang, he was reckoned as gifted as the brother praised in "of the five Ma brothers, White Eyebrows is the best." Liu Bei warned Zhuge Liang on his deathbed that "his words outrun his substance; do not employ him heavily," but Zhuge Liang made him army adviser and debated strategy with him through the night. In the southern campaign his advice that "attacking cities is the lesser way; attacking hearts the greater" led to the submission of Meng Huo. In the first northern campaign of the 6th year of Jianxing he was entrusted with the key position of Jieting, but disobeyed the order to hold the road, camped on Nanshan, and was routed when Zhang He cut off his water. Back in Hanzhong he was executed under military law, and Zhuge Liang wept. He was thirty-nine.
Life and battlesGold dots mark battles you can watch in 3D
- 221Zhangwu 1
Zhuge Liang's adviser
Despite Liu Bei's warning, Zhuge Liang, prizing his talent, made him army adviser.
- 225Jianxing 3
Attack the heart
Advised "attack the heart above all" for the southern campaign, leading to Meng Huo's submission.
- 228Jianxing 6
Battle of Jieting
Disobeyed orders, camped on the hilltop, and was routed when Zhang He cut off his water.
Battle of Jieting Commander-in-chief 20,000 troops Watch in 3D › The army adviser beloved of Zhuge Liang. Skilled in debating strategy but short of battle experience, he disobeyed orders at Jieting, camped on the hilltop, and was routed when his water was cut off. - 228Jianxing 6
Executed in tears
Executed under military law at Hanzhong. Zhuge Liang wept.
