Ma Su

Named as the youngest of the five talented Ma brothers in Yi Ji's recommendation - the future name of Jieting entering the story as a footnote to his brother.

Ma Su; in Liu Bei's circle at Chengdu - first formal appointment.

Sent from the death-chamber so the First Ruler can deliver his verdict: 'his words exceed his deeds. Do not make much use of him. Watch him carefully.'

Arrives in mourning white for his brother, bearing the Emperor's wine and silks — and delivers the campaign's charter: 'it is best to attack hearts rather than cities; to fight with sentiment is better than to fight with weapons.' Retained as Adviser on the spot: 'you read my inmost thoughts.'

Asked why Meng You has come, he answers in writing — and the paper matches Zhuge Liang's own read exactly. Then he and Lü Kai host the porters' banquet where every cup is drugged.

Authors the chapter's decisive Shu action. When Zhuge Liang wants to attack Sima Yi at once, Ma Su talks him out of the march and offers the cheaper weapon: the young Emperor has no confidence in his minister, so seed reports in Luoyang and Yejun that he means to rebel and post a proclamation in his name. One notice reaches the gate of Yejun and does the rest. His first strategic proposal to carry — and it works perfectly, which is worth remembering against Jieting four chapters on.

Offers to intercept Cao Rui on the Changan road and make an end of him, and is told bitterly that Cao Rui was never the worry — 'But the recall of Sima Yi is another matter; that troubles me.' Then asks the question that produces the warning letter: 'Why not put Meng Da on his guard then?'

Volunteers instantly, is warned that Jieting has no wall and no natural defences, and answers that he has studied the books of war since boyhood — then stakes his family on it in a written pledge Zhuge Liang puts on record. On arrival he laughs at the anxiety, refuses the road for the solitary wooded hill, calls Wang Ping's objection childish, and when told the water can be cut quotes Sun Tzu on desperate positions. Splits the command rather than be argued with, giving Wang Ping five thousand men and telling him he shall have no share of the merit. Then: the red signal flag ignored, two of his own generals cut down to force a charge that fails, the south-side troops opening the gates and surrendering for thirst, the woods fired around the hill, and a dash west that Sima Yi deliberately lets through.

Comes bound and throws himself down at the tent door. Zhuge Liang's charge is that he knew the books thoroughly, pledged his whole family, and would not listen to Wang Ping. His plea is a precedent — 'remember how King Shun employed Yu, after executing Yu's father' — and a promise: 'Though I die, I will harbor no resentment down in the depths of the Nine Golden Springs.' Answered with 'We have been as brothers, and your children shall be as my own.' Dies at thirty-nine, in the fifth month of the sixth year of Beginning Prosperity; his head is paraded round the camps, then sewn back to the body for burial, with sacrifices, an oration, and a monthly allowance for his family.

Named in passing only, and already executed: the Emperor's edict opens by assigning the blame for Jieting where it belongs - 'The failure at Jieting was really due to the fault of Ma Su. However, you held yourself responsible and blamed yourself very severely' - which is the ground for restoring Zhuge Liang's rank.