Ma Dai is a Shu Han general in Romance of the Three Kingdoms and a kinsman of the famed western commander Ma Chao. He first appears within Ma Chao’s military circle and later enters Liu Bei’s service alongside him, becoming an officer of Shu.
Ma Dai participates in Shu military operations and later accompanies Zhuge Liang’s northern expeditions. Although he receives less narrative attention than Ma Chao, he consistently appears as a dependable and capable warrior shaped by the martial tradition of the northwest.
Before his death, Zhuge Liang anticipates that conflict may erupt between Wei Yan and Yang Yi and makes arrangements for the army’s withdrawal. After Zhuge Liang dies, Wei Yan refuses to follow the established retreat and his rivalry with Yang Yi turns into open confrontation.
Ma Dai has secretly remained close to Wei Yan as part of the plan. At the decisive moment, he suddenly turns on Wei Yan and kills him, bringing the internal crisis to an end. This dramatic killing becomes Ma Dai’s best-known episode in the novel.
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