Ma Zhou, courtesy name Binwang, formally the Duke of Gaotang, was a Chinese politician who served as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Taizong in the Tang dynasty.
14 Facts About Ma Zhou
1.
2.
Ma Zhou was initially a commoner and a guest of the general Chang Ma Zhou, and after Chang submitted suggestions that Ma drafted, Emperor Taizong was impressed and retained Ma as an imperial official, eventually rising to the post of chancellor.
3.
Ma Zhou was born in 601, during the reign of Emperor Wen in the Sui dynasty.
4.
Ma Zhou appeared to have been born from a relatively poor household in Qinghe Commandery and lost his father early in life.
5.
Ma Zhou was studious, particularly concentrating on the Shi Jing and the Spring and Autumn Annals, but was carefree, not paying attention to details, and because of this, the people of his home region did not view him highly.
6.
Ma Zhou thus resigned and went to travel in Cao Prefecture and Bian Prefecture.
7.
Ma Zhou told Emperor Taizong that whenever he conversed with Ma, Ma was always concerned about faithfulness and filial piety.
8.
In 632, Ma Zhou submitted a petition to Emperor Taizong that was later included in its entirety in the Old Book of Tang for its importance, which made several suggestions to Emperor Taizong:.
9.
Ma Zhou noted that at the time, even though Emperor Taizong had reigned for over a decade, the empire was still, overall, a fraction of the strength of the Sui dynasty at its prime, in terms of population and wealth.
10.
Ma Zhou pointed out that the population was therefore ill-equipped to deal with the construction projects that Emperor Taizong was then carrying out for his own palaces and for mansions for his sons and daughters.
11.
Ma Zhou advocated frugality, and further pointed out that Emperor Taizong's favors for his sons were creating competition between them, which was not good for the long term, either for his sons or for their descendants.
12.
Ma Zhou deletes what is not necessary, and then analyzes thoroughly.
13.
Ma Zhou's words are well-written, and one will not get tired of them.
14.
Ma Zhou had the imperial physicians attend to Ma and often supplied Ma with imperial meals.