Liang Mao

Historical Record

Liang Mao, styled Bofang, was a native of Changyi in Shanyang. From childhood he loved learning, and in debate and deliberation he often cited the classics as his basis for judging right and wrong. Cao Cao recruited him to serve as an Aide to the Excellency of Works, after which he was recommended as a high graduate and appointed an Attendant Imperial Secretary ^c:4623.

At that time bandits were rampant in the Taishan region, so Cao Cao appointed Liang Mao as Grand Administrator of Taishan. After Liang Mao took office, in barely a dozen days more than a thousand households came to submit, the old and young supporting one another and carrying their belongings ^c:4623. Liang Mao was then transferred to be Grand Administrator of Lelang. However, when he set out to take up the post at Lelang, Gongsun Du detained him in Liaodong and would not let him proceed; yet Liang Mao never yielded to Gongsun Du ^c:4623.

On one occasion, Gongsun Du said to Liang Mao and his assembled generals: "I hear that Lord Cao is far away on campaign and Ye is undefended. I now wish to lead thirty thousand infantry and ten thousand cavalry straight to seize Ye—who can stop me?" The generals all voiced agreement. Gongsun Du then looked at Liang Mao and asked: "In your view, how would it go?" Liang Mao replied: "Of late the realm has been in great chaos, and the altars of the state hang by a thread. You, General, command a hundred thousand troops, yet sit watching success and failure—is this how a subject should behave! Lord Cao, anxious over the peril of the state and pitying the sufferings of the people, has led righteous troops to chastise the cruel for the realm; his merits are lofty and his virtue broad—truly without rival in the age. Because the realm has only just been pacified and the people only begun to settle, he has not yet called you to account for your offense! Yet you, General, wish to raise troops and march west—then the outcome of survival or ruin will be decided in less than half a day. You, General, should think well on this!" Hearing Liang Mao's words, the generals were all shaken. After a long while, Gongsun Du said: "Lord Liang speaks truly" ^c:4623.

Later, Liang Mao was summoned back to court, successively serving as Grand Administrator of Wei Commandery and Chancellor of Ganling, achieving notable governance everywhere he served. When Cao Pi was made General of the Household for All Purposes, Liang Mao was chosen as his Chief Clerk and later promoted to Army Adviser of the Left. When the state of Wei was first established, he was appointed Vice Director of the Masters of Writing ^c:4623. Cao Cao once praised his excellence ^c:371. Afterward, Liang Mao also served as Commandant of the Capital and Chamberlain for Ceremonials. When Cao Pi was crown prince in the Eastern Palace, Liang Mao was again appointed Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince and was deeply respected and honored by Cao Pi. In the end, Liang Mao died in office ^c:4623.

In the Novel

Romance of the Three Kingdoms does not give Liang Mao any literary treatment; his deeds are not mentioned in the novel. Therefore, the "In the Novel" content concerning Liang Mao does not deviate from the historical record, and there are no episodes or descriptions unique to the novel.

Key Relationships

* Cao Wei (serves): Liang Mao was an important official of the Cao Wei regime, successively holding such offices as Aide to the Excellency of Works, Attendant Imperial Secretary, Grand Administrator of Taishan, Grand Administrator of Lelang (never assumed), Grand Administrator of Wei Commandery, Chancellor of Ganling, Chief Clerk, Army Adviser of the Left, Vice Director of the Masters of Writing, Commandant of the Capital, Chamberlain for Ceremonials, and Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince ^c:4623. He contributed much to the founding and development of Cao Wei and was deeply trusted and valued by Cao Cao and Cao Pi.
* Gongsun Du's faction (serves): After being appointed Grand Administrator of Lelang, Liang Mao was detained in Liaodong by Gongsun Du, but he did not yield to Gongsun Du and instead admonished him frankly ^c:4623.
* Gongsun Du (advises_in): Liang Mao once admonished Gongsun Du, who intended to attack Ye, pointing out the danger of his actions and praising Cao Cao's merit and virtue, finally causing Gongsun Du to abandon the idea of attacking ^c:4623.
* Cao Pi (mentor_of): Liang Mao served as Cao Pi's Chief Clerk when Cao Pi was General of the Household for All Purposes, and later as Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince when Cao Pi was crown prince, deeply respected and honored by Cao Pi ^c:4623. He was responsible for assisting and instructing the crown prince and played an important role in Cao Pi's growth and the formation of his ideas on governing.

Iconic Scenes

* Pacifying the people of Taishan: When Liang Mao served as Grand Administrator of Taishan, bandits ran rampant in the area. After taking office, in barely a dozen days he caused more than a thousand households to submit, displaying his outstanding governance and his ability to pacify the people ^c:4623. This scene reflects Liang Mao's administrative achievements and his contribution to the locality.
* Frankly admonishing Gongsun Du in Liaodong: When Gongsun Du intended to take advantage of Cao Cao's distant campaign to attack Ye, Liang Mao, while all the generals echoed agreement, stepped forward and frankly admonished Gongsun Du, pointing out the harm of his actions and praising Cao Cao's merit and virtue. In the end Gongsun Du heeded Liang Mao's advice and abandoned the plan to attack ^c:4623. This scene fully displays Liang Mao's loyalty, courage, and exceptional insight, as well as his steadfast character of "never yielding to Gongsun Du."
* Assisting the crown prince Cao Pi: Liang Mao served as Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince when Cao Pi was crown prince and was deeply respected and honored by Cao Pi ^c:4623. This scene highlights Liang Mao's important position in the Cao Wei regime and his instruction of and influence on the future sovereign, embodying his image as a venerable and respected mentor.