Ma Xianglin (马祥麟, Mã Tường Lân; d. 1640s), was a renowned patriotic general of the late Ming Dynasty, son of legendary heroine Qin Liangyu (秦良玉) and tribal chieftain Ma Qiancheng (Ma Qiancheng) of Shizhu.
Wielding a giant spear and commanding the famed ‘White Staff Soldiers’ (白杆兵), Ma Xianglin fought with ferocious valor against both the Manchu invaders in Liaodong and peasant rebel armies led by Zhang Xianzhong and Li Zicheng. Shot through an eye with an arrow during the siege of Xiangyang, he famously pulled out the arrow and continued charging, earning the terrifying battlefield moniker ‘One-Eyed Ma’ (马一目), dying a martyr for the Ming throne.
Contents
Role in History (Ming Shi)
History of Ming (Ming Shi, vol. 270, Biography of Qin Liangyu): “Ma Xianglin charged into battle with his white staff; struck in the eye by an arrow, he washed his face with blood and slew ten more foes, striking dread into the rebels.”
Ma Xianglin — Historical & Literary Timeline
Late Ming
Lineage of White Staff Heroes
Trained by his mother Qin Liangyu in mountainous cavalry combat.
c. 1620s
Defense of Liaodong
Leads the Shizhu White Staff troops to stem the Jurchen onslaught at Hun River.
1640s
Martyrdom at Xiangyang
Falls in battle against rebel forces, fighting to his final breath.
Key Relationships
Family
- Mother Qin Liangyu (秦良玉, Tần Lương Ngọc – Marchioness of Zhongzhen): Supreme female general of Chinese history.
- Father Ma Qiancheng (马千乘): Tusi chieftain of Shizhu.
Friends
- Ming Generals Loyal commanders of Sichuan and Huguang: Fought alongside the Shizhu brigade.
Enemies
- Manchu Invaders Qing armies under Nurhaci and Hong Taiji: Opposed by Ma Xianglin at the northern border.
- Rebel Chieftain Zhang Xianzhong (张献忠): Devastated Sichuan.
Other
- Ming Sovereign Chongzhen Emperor (崇祯帝): Honored Ma Xianglin’s clan for unparalleled loyalty.
In Ming Shi
“Blood bathed his eye, yet his spear never trembled; he was a true son of the Marchioness of Shizhu.”
Historical Context
The White Staff Army of Shizhu was one of the most celebrated elite military formations in Ming history, defending the dynasty until its final breath.