Ma Teng (simplified: 马腾, traditional: 馬騰, pinyin: Mǎ Téng), courtesy name Shoucheng (壽成 Shòuchéng), was a warlord in Liang Province (涼州) and the father of Ma Chao. He and Han Sui dominated the Guanzhong–Liang region until Zhong Yao and Cao Cao pacified them; Ma Teng sent a son as hostage and was later summoned to court and made Commandant of the Guards. When Ma Chao rebelled in 211, Cao Cao had Ma Teng and his sons at the capital executed in 212. His nephew Ma Dai later served Shu Han and killed Wei Yan after Zhuge Liang’s death.
Biography
Rise in Liang Province
Ma Teng was from Fufeng and of mixed Han–Qiang background. He took part in the suppression of the Liang Province rebellion and later allied with Han Sui and other local strongmen. They controlled the Guanzhong–Liang area and sent sons to the court as hostages when Cao Cao and Zhong Yao applied pressure.
Summon to court and death
Ma Teng was eventually summoned to Ye and appointed Commandant of the Guards (衛尉), leaving his troops in the west. When Ma Chao rebelled against Cao Cao in 211 (allied with Han Sui), Cao Cao held Ma Teng and the other hostages responsible. In 212 Ma Teng and his sons Ma Xiu and Ma Tie were executed. Ma Dai was in the west with Ma Chao and later went to Liu Bei; Pang De had served under Ma Teng and later under Ma Chao before joining Cao Cao.
Legacy
Ma Teng is remembered as a key Liang Province warlord and as the father of Ma Chao, whose rebellion led to Ma Teng’s execution. His career illustrates the fragile allegiance of northwestern warlords to the Han court and to Cao Cao.