Meet the Person #
Ma Chao's biography records that he inherited his father's troops, resisted Cao Cao with Han Sui and others, and eventually sought refuge with Zhang Lu after defeat. When Liu Bei advanced on Chengdu, Ma Chao joined Liu Bei.
After becoming King of Hanzhong, Liu Bei appointed him General of the Left. In Zhangwu 1 he was promoted to General of Agile Cavalry and concurrently Governor of Liang Province. Guan Yu's letter asking about his abilities is one item of relationship evidence, not a substitute for this course of movement and appointments.
Approximate sequence, not a timeline drawn to scale.
Limits of the Evidence #
The title Governor of Liang Province does not mean actual rule over all Liang Province. The faction label reflects his later period while preserving his change of allegiance.
People and Relationships #
- Liu BeiMa Chao → Liu Bei: subordinate generalSanguozhi, Volume 36, Guan–Zhang–Ma–Huang–Zhao Biographies ↗
Related Deeds and Periods
Chengdu campaign: Ma Chao requested surrender and joined with his troops; Liu Bei appointed him General Who Pacifies the West.
- Ma TengMa Teng → Ma Chao: fatherSanguozhi, Volume 36, Guan–Zhang–Ma–Huang–Zhao Biographies ↗
Related Deeds and Periods
Ma Chao's main biography explicitly identifies Ma Teng as his father; inheriting troops is treated separately as a biographical deed.
- Han SuiMa Chao — Han Sui: allies (Tong Pass)Sanguozhi, Volume 36, Guan–Zhang–Ma–Huang–Zhao Biographies ↗
Related Deeds and Periods
After taking command, Ma Chao allied with Han Sui and brought their combined forces to Tong Pass. They later became mutually suspicious after being divided; this was not permanent friendship.
- Ma DaiMa Dai → Ma Chao: younger cousin (congdi)Sanguozhi, Volume 36, Guan–Zhang–Ma–Huang–Zhao Biographies ↗
Related Deeds and Periods
Ma Chao's final memorial calls Ma Dai his congdi. This line is kinship; entrusting him to Liu Bei is treated separately as an event.
- Zhang LuMa Chao → Zhang Lu: formerly a dependent followerSanguozhi, Volume 36, Guan–Zhang–Ma–Huang–Zhao Biographies ↗
Related Deeds and Periods
After defeat in Longshang, sought refuge with Zhang Lu in Hanzhong, then secretly wrote to Liu Bei requesting surrender. Different periods must not be merged into simultaneous loyalty.
Related Historical Events (Not Personal Relationships) #
- Zhuge LiangA reply assessing Ma Chao's abilities; not evidence that the two met.Sanguozhi, Volume 36, Guan–Zhang–Ma–Huang–Zhao Biographies ↗
- Cao CaoTong Pass and the Yellow–Wei River campaigns: Ma Chao and Han Sui joined forces against Cao Cao, then retreated after defeat.Sanguozhi, Volume 36, Guan–Zhang–Ma–Huang–Zhao Biographies ↗
In This Book #
Specific chapters in which each figure appears will be cross-checked after QA of Shiji Sanguo's final manuscript; they are not filled in ahead of time.
Cite This Page
Shiji Sanguo website, “Ma Chao,” data version 2026-09-29.13, updated 2026-09-29.
https://shijisanguo.com/ai/people/ma-chao/
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