CIVILIZATION DOSSIER
Ma Teng马腾
Governor of Xiliang, father of Ma Chao, involved in the Conspiracy of the Girdle Edict, killed by Cao Cao.
- DIRECT FIGURES
- 8
- RELATION RECORDS
- 10
- SOURCE WORKS
- 2
RELATIONSHIP COMPASS
Ma Teng, and the people around them.
Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.
01KINSHIPKinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
3 figures · 3 records＋
Kinship
Blood, marriage and sworn bonds
Ma TengisMa Chao’s father
Ma TengisMa Dai’s uncle
Ma Teng—Han Suisworn brotherhood
02ALLEGIANCEAllegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
1 figure · 1 record＋
Allegiance
Rulers, appointments and allegiance
Cao Cao→Ma Tengconscript
03CONFLICTConflict
Battles, captures and defeat
3 figures · 4 records＋
Conflict
Battles, captures and defeat
Cao Cao→Ma Tengworry
Ma Teng—Dong Chengaccomplice
Liu Yan→Ma Tengconspire
04THE UNSEENMythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
2 figures · 2 records＋
Mythic acts
Transformation, aid and divine punishment
Zhong Yao→Ma Tengpacify
Zhang Ji→Ma Tengconvince
9 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.
In history · Records of the Three Kingdoms
General Who Conquers the West, conspired with Liu Yan to attack Chang'an. Later, he and Han Sui rebelled in Guanzhong and had connections with Liu Yan. As one of the generals in Guanzhong, he was persuaded by Zhang Ji and later entered the court as Commandant of the Guards.
In fiction · Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Ma Teng was the Governor of Xiliang and became sworn brothers with Han Sui. He participated in the secret plot of Dong Cheng's Girdle Edict, willing to lead the Xiliang troops as an external ally. Later, he was summoned to the capital and was killed along with his son Ma Xiu and Huang Kui.
Across source works
How this figure changes across texts
Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.
- Literature / legend9 profile notes
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
7 relations7 verified quotations- Cao Cao→ worry →Ma Teng
- Cao Cao→ conscript →Ma Teng
- Ma Teng→ hostile →Cao Cao
- Ma Teng→ father-son →Ma Chao
Verified original text · 7
心中所忧者，韩遂、马腾耳
worry · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 48
马腾骂不绝口，与其子马休，及黄奎一同遇害。
hostile · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 57
5 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
- Official history7 profile notes
Records of the Three Kingdoms
4 relations4 verified quotations- Ma Teng→ father-son →Ma Chao
- Zhong Yao→ pacify →Ma Teng
- Liu Yan→ conspire →Ma Teng
- Zhang Ji→ convince →Ma Teng
Verified original text · 4
后腾入为卫尉，子超领其部曲
father-son · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·董二袁刘传
移书腾、遂等，为陈祸福
pacify · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·锺繇华歆王朗传
2 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.
History vs. fiction
The plot to assassinate Cao Cao is fictional
In Chapter 57 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, it is written that Ma Teng and Huang Kui secretly plotted to assassinate Cao Cao, but the plot failed and they were captured: "Ma Teng cursed without ceasing, and together with his son Ma Xiu and Huang Kui, they were put to death." In the Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Wei, Biographies of Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shao, and Liu Biao, the plot Ma Teng participated in was against Li Jue: "Attendant-in-ordinary Ma Yu, Remonstrant Grandee Zhong Shao, and Left General of the Household Liu Fan and others plotted, wanting to have Ma Teng attack Chang'an, with themselves as internal responders, in order to kill Li Jue and others. Ma Teng led troops to Changping Guan, but Ma Yu and others' plot leaked, and they fled to Huaili. Guo Si attacked Ma Teng, Ma Teng was defeated and fled back to Liangzhou." Thus it can be seen that the novel transplanted the story, rewriting it as a loyal minister opposing Cao Cao.
Relationship network
- worry← Cao Cao → Ma TenglitRomance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 48Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 57
Original text (2)
心中所忧者，韩遂、马腾耳
马腾骂不绝口，与其子马休，及黄奎一同遇害。
Original relation: slay · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 57
Original text (1)
操大喜，即日遣人赍诏至西凉召马腾。
Original text (1)
马腾骂不绝口，与其子马休，及黄奎一同遇害。
- father-sonMa Teng → Ma Chaohist × litRecords of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·董二袁刘传Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 57Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 58
Original text (2)
后腾入为卫尉，子超领其部曲
今操杀马腾，其子马超，现统西凉之众
Original text (1)
移书腾、遂等，为陈祸福
Original text (1)
只教次子马休、马铁并侄马岱随我同往。
Original text (1)
腾读毕，毛发倒竖，咬齿嚼唇，满口流血。谓承曰
Original text (1)
与镇西将军韩遂为兄弟。
Original text (1)
Original text (1)