22 Facts About Ma Teng

Ma Teng, courtesy name Shoucheng, was a Chinese military general and warlord who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China.

Ma Teng controlled Liang Province with another warlord, Han Sui.

Ma Teng was born in Maoling County, Fufeng Commandery.

Ma Teng's father, Ma Ping, whose courtesy name was Zishuo, was a minor official in Tianshui Commandery during the reign of Emperor Huan of Han.

Ma Teng grew up in extreme poverty and made a living selling firewood to the city markets that he collected in the mountains.

Ma Teng was extremely tall, more than eight chi tall, his appearance large and imposing, his face and nose majestic.

Ma Teng was known to be virtuous therefore many people admired him.

Ma Teng recruited among the locals, people known to be courageous and strong wishing to suppress the rebels.

Ma Teng impressed the provincial government and local officials; therefore, he was promoted to Assistant Officer in the army, whose role was to manage the troops.

However, when Geng Bi was killed in battle by the rebel army, Ma Teng switched sides and joined Han Sui.

The rebellion was eventually suppressed by the Han general Huangfu Song but Ma Teng escaped along with the rebels.

Ma Teng remarked that the western regions were short of food and wrote a memorial to the court, asking for further provisions.

Ma Teng was surprised and not ready for the sudden betrayal; he was defeated and fled westward.

Ma Teng was initially on good terms with Han Sui; they were said to be as close as brothers.

Once, Ma Teng forced Han Sui to flee, but the latter came back and killed Ma Teng's wife and children.

Ma Teng was appointed as General of the Vanguard and enfeoffed as the Marquis of Huaili.

Ma Teng summoned Ma Teng to Ye city with most of his family and wanted them to disband their personal troops.

Ma Teng formed a coalition with Han Sui and other minor warlords in Liang, and started a rebellion against the Han dynasty.

Ma Teng participates in a plot with Liu Bei and Dong Cheng to assassinate Cao Cao, who is depicted as a villain monopolising power and holding Emperor Xian hostage.

When Ma Teng is later recalled to the imperial capital Xuchang, he decides to again join a plot to assassinate Cao Cao, this time with Huang Kui.

Ma Teng is a warlord and playable character in the game Total War: Three Kingdoms.

Ma Teng appears in the Dynasty Warriors games, specifically 5 and 9.