Former Residence of General Ma

Former Residence of General Ma

Former Residence of General Ma

General Ma, named Fang and styled Dexin, was a native of Yu Prefecture. According to Volume 99 of the Biographies section in the Ming History (Ming Shi · Lie Zhuan Di Jiu Shi Jiu · Ma Fang), he was promoted to Deputy Commander of the Jizhen (Ji Town) in the 36th year of the Jiajing reign (1557) and soon afterward appointed as Commander of the Xuanhua Town. He passed away in the 9th year of the Wanli reign (1581) during the Ming Dynasty.

At the age of ten, Ma Fang was captured by the nomadic Aner tribe of the Mongols and taken to the north to tend livestock. During the Jiajing reign, when Zhou Shangwen served as Commander of Datong Town, Ma Fang escaped and became a squad leader in the defending forces of Datong. In the 29th year of the Jiajing reign (1550), he was transferred to Xinping Fort on the Xinping Road. He distinguished himself in battles at Yemachuan and Nihe (an ancient name for a small river west of Tianzhen, historically called Nihe), gradually rising to the rank of Commandant. This confirms that Ma Fang indeed served in Xinping Fort and held the title of Commander. This is also recorded in the Tianzhen County Annals from the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty.

The existing residence of Ma Fang is one of his auxiliary homes; the main official residence was located to the west of this house and was demolished in the 1970s. This house was built during the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty. The brick carvings on its screen wall and main gate are highly appreciated by scholars and reflect the high level of craftsmanship at the time.

There are many other similar Ming and Qing dynasty-era ancient houses in Xinping Fort. For example, the buildings of the Ming dynasty garrison office on the north side of West Street, and the Yin Family Courtyard on the north side of East Street, are all well preserved.

Address: Xinpingbao Town, Tianzhen County, Datong City, Shanxi Province