Ma Zhong was born in Langzhong, Baxi Commandery (巴西郡), which is present-day
Langzhong,
Sichuan. As a child, he was raised by his maternal relatives. He was surnamed Hu (狐) and named Du (篤). Thereafter, he changed his surname back to his father's side, Ma (馬) and his name to Zhong (忠). He served as local official in the commandery. During the end of ''Jian'an
(建安; 196–220 period), He was nominated as a xiaolian'' (civil service candidate) and appointed as Chief (長) of Hanchang (漢昌). After Liu Bei's defeat at the
Battle of Xiaoting. The Administrator of Baxi (巴西太守), Yan Zhi (閻芝) recruited from the counties under his jurisdiction, 5 000 soldiers to replace the lost ones, Ma Zhong was in charge of leading them. Liu Bei had already returned to Yufu County (魚復縣; present-day
Fengjie County,
Chongqing), which he renamed "Yong'an" (永安; literally "everlasting peace"). There he met Ma Zhong and spoke with him. Liu Bei commented to his Prefect of the Masters of Writing (尚書令), Liu Ba that although he lost
Huang Quan, he gained Hu Du, showing that the world is not lacking talents. After Liu Bei's death in 223,
Zhuge Liang opened his office as Chancellor (丞相) and appointed Ma Zhong as his subordinate commander. In 225, Zhuge Liang led a
Southern Campaign to quell the rebellion. Ma Zhong was promoted as Administrator of Zangke (牂牁太守). He participated in the expedition and defeated the previously appointed Zhu Bao (朱褒), who had joined the rebels. As Administrator, he helped the commandery to recover and brought stability among the people. Ma Zhong had, both authority and kindness. In 230, Zhuge Liang summoned him to join the army as Army Adviser (參軍) and serve as assistant to his chief clerk,
Jiang Wan. Furthermore, he was given additional appointment in the government office. Next year, he followed the army during the
Battle of Mount Qi. After the army returned, he joined
Zhang Ni as they suppressed a rebellion in Wenshan Commandery, led by Qiang tribe learders. In 233, Liu Zhou (劉胄), a strong leader of a foreign tribe, started a rebellion, disturbing all the commanderies. The Area Commander of Laixiang (庲降都督),
Zhang Yi was relieved and Ma Zhong succeeded him. Ma Zhong led a successful campaign, beheaded Liu Zhou and pacified the south. For his accomplishment, Ma Zhong was further entrusted with military affairs, promoted to General Who is Firm (威將軍) and enfeoffed as the Marquis of Boyang Village (博陽亭侯). During Yong Kai's rebellion, the rebels killed the Administrator of Jianing (巴西建寧), Zheng Ang (正昂) and captured his successor,
Zhang Yi before sending him as captive to
Eastern Wu. Since then, the Commander by fear always garrisoned away in Pingyi county. When Ma Zhong became the new Commander, he moved his headquarters to
Wei County, Handan, among the Han civilians and foreigners. Moreover, Yuexi/Yuesui Commandery (越巂郡) was a lost territory. Ma Zhong alongside his Administrator, Zhang Ni led a successful campaign recovering the commandery. For his achievement, he was promoted to General Who Stabilises the South (安南將軍) and granted the Marquis of Pengxiang Village (彭鄉亭侯). In 242, he was summoned to the court and charged with delivering an Imperial Order to Jiang Wan, preventing him from switching the land-based route to a water-based one from the
Han River to attack the Wei-controlled Weixing () and Shangyong () commanderies. Ma Zhong was further promoted as Senior General Who Guards the South (鎮南大將軍). In 244,
Cao Shuang attacked
Battle of Xingshi, General-in-Chief (大將軍)
Fei Yi went north to resist the invaders. Ma Zhong was left in charge of the secretariat government at Chengdu. After Fei Yi returned, Ma Zhong left for the south. In 249, he died. His son, Ma Xiu (馬脩) inherited his father's title and became the next Pengxiang Village (彭鄉亭侯). While Ma Xiu's younger brother, Ma Hui (馬恢) had his son Ma Yi (馬義), appointed as the Administrator of Jianning (晉建寧太守) during the
Jin dynasty. ==Appraisal and successors==