Ma Teng (pronunciationⓘ) (died June or July 212),[a] courtesy name Shoucheng, was a Chinese military general and warlord who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China.

[1] He controlled Liang Province (涼州; covering parts of present-day Shaanxi and Gansu) with another warlord, Han Sui.

Ma Teng was born in Maoling County (茂陵縣), Fufeng Commandery (扶風郡) (present-day Xingping, Shaanxi).

His father, Ma Ping (馬平), whose courtesy name was Zishuo (子碩), was a minor official in Tianshui Commandery during the reign of Emperor Huan of Han.

[2] Ma Teng grew up in extreme poverty and made a living selling firewood to the city markets that he collected in the mountains.

[3] In 184, towards the end of Emperor Ling's reign, the Qiang people in Liang Province rose up against the local government under Beigong Yu (北宫玉) and Liwen Hou (李文侯).

[5] However, when Geng Bi was killed in battle by the rebel army, Ma Teng switched sides and joined Han Sui.

During the Chuping era (初平; 190–193) of the reign of Emperor Xian of Han, he was appointed as General Who Subdues the East (征東將軍).

However, the relationship between the two sides quickly soured, and Ma Teng and Han Sui led their armies in an attempt to seize Chang'an.

Not only was the loss of 10,000 soldiers a heavy blow to the morale of the allied forces, they also faced a supply shortage at the time, so the eloquent Han Sui asked Fan Chou for a private talk, during which Han Sui successfully persuaded Fan Chou to abort the pursuit because they shared the same hometown.

As Ma Teng was still hesitant about this, Zhang Ji ordered the counties to prepare supplies for his arrival and had officials of high position sent to welcome him.

In June or July 212, Emperor Xian issued an imperial decree ordering the execution of Ma Teng and the rest of his family who were with him in Ye city at the time.