Ma Xichong

Ma Xichong was the sixth and final monarch of China's Ma Chu dynasty during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.

Background According to the Spring and Autumn Annals of the Ten Kingdoms, citing another work now lost, the Miscellaneous Records from a Blue Box (青箱雜記, Qingxiang Zaji), Ma Xichong was born in 912. His father was Chu's founder Ma Yin. His mother was not Ma Yin's wife, but was otherwise not named in historical sources, although it is known that Ma Yin's 30th son Ma Xi'e, who was older than he was, was born of the same mother. Ma Yin's 35th son Ma Xiguang, who was born of Lady Chen, was also older. and arguably should be Ma Xifan's successor under Ma Yin's instructions that his succeed each other based on age. However, most of Ma Xifan's staff members supported Ma Xiguang, who subsequently accepted the title of Prince of Chu. Either prior to Ma Xiguang's ascension or after, Ma Xichong received the title of Tiance Zuo Sima , as an officer under Ma Xiguang, who also carried the title of Tiance Grand General . His disposition was described to be treacherous.

During Ma Xi'e's reign As the Prince of Chu, Ma Xi'e made Ma Xichong his deputy in his role as military governor of, in addition to Wuping, Chu's main circuit Wu'an (武安, headquartered at Changsha), and made him in charge of the headquarters.

Brief hold on power Upon hearing how Ma Xichong had seized power at Changsha, Liu Yan launched his troops and claimed that he would punish Ma Xichong for his usurpation. In fear, Ma Xichong sent emissaries to Liu, offering peace as coequal circuits — i.e., not asserting authority over Wuping. Liu's secretary Li Guanxiang suggested to Liu that he first demand the deaths of certain Ma Xi'e staff members, to weaken Ma Xichong's troops' morale, and then use that as the opportunity to seize Wu'an. Liu agreed, and sent such a demand to Ma Xichong. Ma Xichong, fearing Liu, followed Liu's demand and executed Ma Xi'e's military assistant Yang Zhongmin , secretary Liu Guangfu , guard commander Wei Shijin , and guard officer Wang Qin , among others, sending the official Li Yi to deliver the heads to Lang. However, by the time that Li arrived at Lang, the heads had already decomposed. Liu Yan and Wang Kui insisted that these were not the heads Liu Yan demanded, and Li Yi, in fear, committed suicide. That was the last historical reference to Ma Xichong, and it was not known when he died.

Notes and references

Old History of the Five Dynasties, vol. 133. New History of the Five Dynasties, vol. 66. Spring and Autumn Annals of the Ten Kingdoms, vol. 69. Zizhi Tongjian, vols. 287, 289, 290, 293.