Ma Yu is a well-known cabinet minister in the early Ming Dynasty. He was born in Zhuwei Village, Linqu, Shandong Province. He was a famous general in the Han Dynasty. He was his father.
Ma Yu was born into a scholarly family. The six generations of people in his family were all Confucian scholars who worked hard to study Confucian classics. Ma Yu grew up in such an atmosphere, naturally was also a very talented person. In the second year of Xuande , he successfully became an official in the court with the first place in the imperial examination and was awarded the official position of Hanlin editor. Emperor Xuanzong Zhu Zhanji felt that this was a rare talent, so he ran over to encourage him, hoping that he could continue to study hard in his spare time in order to reuse it.
In the autumn of the ninth year of Xuande, the court pulled thirty-seven Shujishis into Wenyuan Pavilion and studied, and among the thirty-seven people were Ma Yu. In the first year of Zhengtong, Ma Yuchong was a lecturer in the imperial lecture and was promoted to a bachelor's degree.
At that time, the eunuch Wang Zhen was favored by Yingzong Emperor Zhu Qizhen , so he gradually pretended to be powerful and became more powerful in the court. Even the famous cabinet officials like Yang Shiqi , Yang Rong , and Yang Pu could not suppress Wang Zhen's wanton power due to his old age and aging.
But the existence of these three Yangs always threatened Wang Zhen, so Wang Zhen found a day and said to Yang Shiqi, Yang Rong and others: "You are all important officials of the court, but you are all old at present. It is time to consider a different life!"
Wang Zhen's meaning is very obvious, which is to ask them to voluntarily resign and return to their hometown. In response, Yang Shiqi immediately said: "Our old ministers are willing to serve the country and die after death."
However, Yang Rong said: "We old ministers are no longer able to repay the emperor's kindness. We can recommend a few talented young people to serve us as the court."
Wang Zhen was very happy about it. As long as the three Yangs and the others are willing to withdraw from the court, it is nothing to ask them to promote a few backs.
Shortly after this incident, Yang Shiqi came to Yang Rong for complaining and accusing Yang Rong of talking nonsense. In response, Yang Rong explained: "Wang Zhen has long regarded us as a thorn in his eyes. With his current power, we cannot suppress it. Instead of letting him support his own people into the cabinet to replace us, we should voluntarily withdraw and let some juniors who are on the same mind as us enter the court and hold important positions. In this way, the court may not be controlled by Wang Zhen."
Yang Shiqi was convinced by Yang Rong's explanation, believing that his move was very far-sighted. Soon after, several ministers recommended by them, such as the bachelor's degree, Miao Zhong , the lecturer's degree, Cao Nai and Ma Yu, were all reused.
, and Ma Yu successfully entered the cabinet later and was appointed as the Right Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Ma Yu eventually died in the 12th year of Zhengtong, at the age of fifty-three. After his death, he was posthumously awarded the title of Hanlin Bachelor, Zishan Doctor, and Minister of Rites.
