Mǎ Sù 馬謖 [Yòucháng 幼常]
(Last Updated 2021-12-02)
Mǎ Liáng appellation Jìcháng was a man of Yíchéng in Xiāngyáng. He and his brothers, five people, all had reputation for ability, and their hometown said of them a proverb: “The Mǎ clan have five constants (Cháng). White eyebrows is the most great (Liáng).” Liáng’s eyebrows had white hairs, and therefore he was called that.
馬良字季常，襄陽宜城人也。兄弟五人，並有才名，鄉里為之諺曰：「馬氏五常，白眉最良。」良眉中有白毛，故以稱之。
Xiān-zhǔ [Liú Bèi] commanded Jīngzhōu [209] and recruited him as Advisor. When Xiān-zhǔ entered Shǔ [211], Zhūgě Liàng also followed afterward and went, and [Mǎ] Liáng remained in Jīngzhōu, and wrote a letter to [Zhūgě] Liàng: “One hears Luò city is already taken, and this is Heaven’s blessing. Honored elder brother you should at this time seize on the occasion, assist the enterprise of restoring the state, and your radiance is already obvious. (1) One who can adapt to use with careful consideration, thoroughly investigate and decide with understanding is simple ability and should be found at this time. If you can then follow bright and distant view, spread virtue across Heaven and earth, it will cause the unoccupied of the time to listen, and through the world follow principle, be level with the highest and greatest sounds, correct the tones of Zhèng and Wèi, bring benefit to affairs without disturbing relations between people. This then would reach the level of Guǎn Xián and the harmony of [Bó] Yá and Shī Kuàng. Though I am not as the sort as Zhōng [Zǐqī], dare I not strike the staves!”
先主領荊州，辟為從事。及先主入蜀，諸葛亮亦從後往，良留荊州，與亮書曰：「聞雒城已拔，此天祚也。尊兄應期贊世，配業光國，魄兆見矣。〔一〕夫變用雅慮，審貴垂明，於以簡才，宜適其時。若乃和光悅遠，邁德天壤，使時閑於聽，世服於道，齊高妙之音，正鄭、衛之聲，並利於事，無相奪倫，此乃管絃之至，牙、曠之調也。雖非鍾期，敢不擊節！」
- (1) Your Servant Sōngzhī believes [Mǎ] Liáng together with [Zhūgě] Liàng swore to become brothers, or else they were close to each other as family. [Zhūgě] Liàng was older, so [Mǎ] Liáng therefore called [Zhūgě] Liàng as honored elder brother and that is all.
〔一〕 臣松之以為良蓋與亮結為兄弟，或相與有親；亮年長，良故呼亮為尊兄耳。
Xiān-zhǔ recruited Liáng as a General of the Left’s Official.
先主辟良為左將軍掾。
Later he was sent as envoy to Wú. [Mǎ] Liáng said to [Zhūgě] Liàng: “Now I have received the state’s commands, to harmonize relations between our two families [Shǔ and Wú]. Hopefully you may help me make an introduction to General Sūn [Quán].”
後遣使吳，良謂亮曰：「今銜國命，協穆二家，幸為良介於孫將軍。」
[Zhūgě] Liàng said: “You sir should try writing it yourself.”
亮曰：「君試自為文。」
[Mǎ] Liáng then made a draft that said: “Our lord has sent his official Mǎ Liáng to send gifts and continue good relations, to continue on the legacy of Kūn Wú and Shǐ Wéi. I am a fortunate scholar, an official of the Jīng-Chǔ region, rarely am rash in action, and yet have the virtue of being thorough to the end, and hope with subdued heart to be accepted, in order to accomplish my commands.”
良即為草曰：「寡君遣掾馬良通聘繼好，以紹昆吾、豕韋之勳。其人吉士，荊楚之令，鮮於造次之華，而有克終之美，願降心存納，以慰將命。」
[Sūn] Quán respected and treated him well.
權敬待之。
Xiān-zhǔ took Imperial title [221], and appointed [Mǎ] Liáng as Attendant Internal. During the eastern campaign against Wú, he sent Liáng to enter Wǔlíng to recruit the surrendered Wǔxī Mǎnyí [tribes]. The Mǎnyí great leaders all received seals and titles, and each were under his [Mǎ Liáng’s] direction. When Xiān-zhǔ was utterly defeated at Yílíng [222], Liáng also came to harm. Xiān-zhǔ appointed Liáng’s son Bǐng as Cavalry Commandant.
先主稱尊號，以良為侍中。及東征吳，遣良入武陵招納五溪蠻夷，蠻夷渠帥皆受印號，咸如意指。會先主敗績於夷陵，良亦遇害。先主拜良子秉為騎都尉。
Liáng’s younger brother Sù appellation Yòucháng, as Jīng province Attending Official followed Xiān-zhǔ to enter Shǔ, and was sent out as Magistrate of Miánzhú and Chéngdū and Administrator of Yuèxī. His talent and ability surpassed others, he enjoyed discussing military strategy, and the Chancellor Zhūgě Liàng deeply praised his unique ability.
良弟謖，字幼常，以荊州從事隨先主入蜀，除綿竹成都令、越嶲太守。才器過人，好論軍計，丞相諸葛亮深加器異。
When Xiān-zhǔ was near death he said to [Zhūgě] Liàng: “Mǎ Sù’s speech exceeds his actual ability. He cannot be employed in important positions. You sir must observe this.” [Zhūgě] Liàng however said this was not so, appointed Sù Advisor to the army, and always summoned him to meet and discuss things, from daytime to night. (1)
先主臨薨謂亮曰：「馬謖言過其實，不可大用，君其察之！」亮猶謂不然，以謖為參軍，每引見談論，自晝達夜。〔一〕
- (1) Xiāngyángjì states: Jiànxīng third year [225], [Zhūgě] Liàng campaigned against Nánzhōng. Sù escorted him for several tens of lǐ. Liàng said: “Though we have made plans together for many years, now I can again ask you a favor for a good plan.” Sù answered: “Nánzhōng relies on its rugged terrain and distance, and has been disobedient for a long time. Even if today they are defeated, tomorrow they will again rebel and that is all. Now you lord are about to gather the whole state for a Northern Expedition to deal with powerful rebels [Wèi], so they [the Nánzhōng rebels] will learn the government’s authority is weak inside [while Zhūgě Liàng is away in the north], and their rebellions will also accelerate. If all their tribes and kinds are exterminated to remove future worry, that is not the way of the benevolent, and moreover could not be done quickly. In the way of using troops: attacking the heart is best, attacking cities is worst; hearts battling is best, soldiers battling is worst. I hope your excellency will focus on subduing their hearts and that is all.” Liàng accepted this plan, and pardoned Mèng Huò to comfort the south. Therefore to the end of Liàng’s life, the south did not dare again rebel.
〔一〕 襄陽記曰：建興三年，亮征南中，謖送之數十里。亮曰：「雖共謀之歷年，今可更惠良規。」謖對曰：「南中恃其險遠，不服久矣，雖今日破之，明日復反耳。今公方傾國北伐以事彊賊。彼知官勢內虛，其叛亦速。若殄盡遺類以除後患，既非仁者之情，且又不可倉卒也。夫用兵之道，攻心為上，攻城為下，心戰為上，兵戰為下，願公服其心而已。」亮納其策，赦孟獲以服南方。故終亮之世，南方不敢復反。
Jiànxīng sixth year [228], [Zhūgě] Liàng set out with the army towards Qíshān. At the time there were veteran Generals Wèi Yán, Wú Yī, and others, and commentators all said that that one should be ordered to serve as the front line commander, but Liàng disagreed with the majority and chose Sù, to command the great army at the front, and with Wèi General Zhāng Hé battled at Jiētíng, was by Hé defeated, and the soldiers were scattered. Liàng’s advance had nowhere to occupy, so he retreated the army and returned to Hànzhōng. Sù was imprisoned and died, and Liàng wept for him.
建興六年，亮出軍向祁山，時有宿將魏延、吳壹等，論者皆言以為宜令為先鋒，而亮違眾拔謖，統大眾在前，與魏將張郃戰于街亭，為郃所破，士卒離散。亮進無所據，退軍還漢中。謖下獄物故，亮為之流涕。
[Mǎ] Liáng died at thirty-six years, Sù at thirty-nine years. (1)
良死時年三十六，謖年三十九。〔一〕
- (1) Xiāngyángjì states: Sù was facing his end and wrote a letter to [Zhūgě] Liàng: “You wise lord regarded me like a son, and I regarded you wise lord as a father. I hope deeply that this is the righteousness of the execution Gǔn [leading to] the rise of Yǔ. May our whole life’s relationship not be reduced by this. Though I die I have no resentments against the yellow earth.” At the time the army of a hundred thousand wept for him. Liàng personally oversaw sacrifices, and cared for his orphans for all their lives. Jiǎng Wǎn later visited Hànzhōng he said to Liàng: “In the past Chǔ killed Déchén, and afterward Wén-gōng’s joy was understandable. When the realm Under Heaven is not yet settled and yet killing a scholar with wise plans, is that not a pity!” Liàng wept and said: “The reason Sūn Wǔ was one who could create victories across the realm Under Heaven was that he used the law with understanding. Therefore when Yáng Gān brought chaos to the laws, Wèi Jiàng killed his servant. The Four Seas are broken apart, and the meeting of soldiers has just begun. If we return to abandoning the law, what is to be used to suppress the rebels!”
- Xí Zuòchǐ states: That Zhūgě Liàng could not conquer a stronger state, was it not appropriate! The people of Jìn planned Línfù’s later relief, and therefore abandoned the law and yet received achievement; Chǔ completed Àn Déchén’s advantage on its own, and therefore killed him for a serious defeat. Now Shǔ occupied a secluded and weak position, its talents were fewer than the stronger state, and yet they killed their outstanding talent, retreated and collected the worn out to use, bright law and victorious talent, is not the principle of the army’s three defeats, and in completing the enterprise is it not also difficult? Moreover, Xiān-zhǔ commanded that Sù could not receive important employment, how can it not be said he was not a talent? Liàng received the command and yet did not accept and hold to it, showing that Sù was difficult to remove. To be the realm Under Heaven’s greatest craftsmen, one wishes to receive the strength to greatly collect objects, not judge the ability and integrity of appointees, following ability to assist industry. To know it was a serious mistake, then disobey the command of an enlightened ruler, make a decision that missed the mark, at once kill a useful man, it is difficult to speak of it with the words of the wise.
〔一〕 襄陽記曰：謖臨終與亮書曰：「明公視謖猶子，謖視明公猶父，願深惟殛鯀興禹之義，使平生之交不虧於此，謖雖死無恨於黃壤也。」于時十萬之眾為之垂涕。亮自臨祭，待其遺孤若平生。蔣琬後詣漢中，謂亮曰：「昔楚殺得臣，然後文公喜可知也。天下未定而戮智計之士，豈不惜乎！」亮流涕曰：「孫武所以能制勝於天下者，用法明也。是以楊干亂法，魏絳戮其僕。四海分裂，兵交方始，若復廢法，何用討賊邪！」習鑿齒曰：諸葛亮之不能兼上國也，豈不宜哉！夫晉人規林父之後濟，故廢法而收功；楚成闇得臣之益己，故殺之以重敗。今蜀僻陋一方，才少上國，而殺其俊傑，退收駑下之用，明法勝才，不師三敗之道，將以成業，不亦難乎！且先主誡謖之不可大用，豈不謂其非才也？亮受誡而不獲奉承，明謖之難廢也。為天下宰匠，欲大收物之力，而不量才節任，隨器付業；知之大過，則違明主之誡，裁之失中，即殺有益之人，難乎其可與言智者也。
Three States Records 