| | 马防: |
永平十五年，上始欲征匈奴，与窦固等议出兵调度，皆以为塞外草美，可不须马谷，其各以。固等将兵到炖煌，当出塞上，请马谷。上以固言前后相违，怒不与谷。皆言按军出塞，无谷马故事。马防言：“当与谷。”上曰：“何以言之？”防对曰：“宣帝时，五将出征，按其奏言：‘匈奴候骑得汉马矢，见其中有粟，知汉兵出，以故引去。’以是言之，马当与谷。”上善其用意微致，敕下调马谷，防遂见亲近。 |
| | In the fifteenth year of Yongping, the emperor began to plan a campaign against the Xiongnu. He discussed troop deployment with Dou Gu and others, who all believed that the grass was abundant beyond the frontier, so it would not be necessary to carry grain for horses; each accordingly... Dou Gu and others led their troops to Dunhuang. When they were about to cross the frontier, they requested grain for horses. The emperor considered Dou Gu's statements before and after to be contradictory, and angrily refused to provide the grain. They all stated that there was no precedent for sending troops beyond the frontier without provisions for horses. Ma Fang said, "We should provide them with grain." The emperor asked, "On what basis do you say this?" Fang replied, "During the reign of Emperor Xuan, five generals went on a campaign. According to their report: 'Xiongnu scouts captured Han horses and arrows; they saw millet inside them and realized that Han troops had come out, so they withdrew as a result.'" "For this reason, grain should be given to the horses." The emperor appreciated the subtle and thoughtful reasoning, issued an order to provide grain for the horses, and Ma Fang was thus favored.
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| | 马防: |
马防征西羌，上喜防功，令史官作颂，颂其功伐。 |
| | Ma Fang campaigned against the Western Qiang. The emperor was pleased with Ma Fang's achievements and ordered the historians to compose a eulogy praising his military exploits.
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| | 马防: |
章帝建初三年，马防为车骑将军、城门校尉，置掾史，位在九卿上，绝席，班同三事。诏封兄弟二人各六千户，防为颍阳侯，特以前参医药，勤劳省闼，绥定西羌，以襄城羹亭千二百五十户增防，身带三绶，宠贵至盛。 |
| | In the third year of Jianchu reign period of Emperor Zhang, Ma Fang was appointed as Chaji General and Chengmen Jiao Wei. He was granted assistants and clerks; his position ranked above that of the Nine Ministers, he occupied a separate seat, and his status was equal to that of the Three High Officials. An edict was issued to bestow fiefs upon his two brothers, each with six thousand households. Ma Fang was enfeoffed as Yingyang Hou. He received special recognition for having previously assisted in medical treatment, diligently serving at the palace gate, and pacifying the Western Qiang; therefore, an additional one thousand two hundred and fifty households from Xucheng Gengting were added to his fief. Wearing three sashes of office, Ma Fang reached the height of favor and prestige.
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| | 马防: |
马防，字公平，为光禄勋，宿卫宫省。上数幸防府，赏赐饮食，行每日出。 |
| | Ma Fang, courtesy name Gongping, served as Guanglu Xun and was responsible for guarding the palace and imperial residence. The emperor frequently visited Ma Fang's mansion, bestowing gifts of food and drink, and often left each day after these visits.
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| | 马防: |
大予丞鲍邺等上作乐事，下防。防奏言：“建初二年七月邺上言，天子食饮，必顺于四时五味，而有食举之乐。所以顺天地，养神明，求福应也。今官雅乐独有黄锺，而食举乐但有太簇，皆不应月律，恐伤气类。可作十二月均，各应其月气。公卿朝会，得闻月律，乃能感天，和气宜应。诏下太常评焉。太常上言，作乐器直钱百四十六万，奏寝。今明诏复下，臣防以为可须上天之明时，因岁首之嘉月，发太簇之律，奏雅颂之音，以迎和气。”时以作乐器费多，遂独行十月迎气乐也。 |
| | Baoye, the Da Yu Cheng, and others submitted proposals regarding musical performances to be presented before Ma Fang. Ma Fang submitted a memorial stating, "In the second year of Jianchu, in July, Yaye made a proposal that for the emperor's meals and drinks, they must conform to the four seasons and five flavors, and there should be music performed during the meal." This was done in order to harmonize with heaven and earth, nurture spiritual clarity, and seek blessings. Nowadays, the official court music has only Huangzhong, while the music for meals has only Taicuo; neither corresponds to the lunar pitch pipe, and I fear this may harm the vital energies. Twelve monthly modes should be created, each corresponding to its respective month's qi (vital energy). When the high officials and ministers gather for court sessions, they should be able to hear the lunar pitch pipes; only then can heaven be moved, and harmonious qi will respond as it should. An edict was issued ordering Taichang to evaluate the matter. Taichang submitted a report stating that creating the musical instruments would cost 1,460,000 coins; the proposal was then put aside. Now that the emperor has again issued an edict, I, Minister Fang, believe we should await a clear and auspicious time from heaven, take advantage of the excellent month at the beginning of the year, initiate the Taicuo pitch pipe, perform elegant and eulogistic music, in order to welcome harmonious qi." At that time, because of the high cost of making musical instruments, they ultimately only performed the October ritual music for welcoming the seasonal qi.
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| | 马防: |
马防，字孝孙，拜执金吾，性矜严公正，上言孝章，议多见用。 |
| | Ma Fang, courtesy name Xiaosun, was appointed as Zhijinwu. He had a dignified and strict character, and was fair and just; he made recommendations regarding filial piety and virtue, many of which were adopted.
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| | 马防: |
马防子钜，为常从小侯，六年正月斋宫中，上欲冠钜，夜拜为黄门侍郎，御章台下殿，陈鼎俎，自临冠之。防兄弟奴婢各千人已上。 |
| | လ��� Ma Fang's son Ju was a young marquis of the imperial retinue. In the first month of the sixth year, while Ju was observing a purification rite in the palace, the emperor wished to bestow a cap on him as a sign of coming-of-age ceremony and appointed him at night as Huangmen Shilang (Attendant-in-Ordinary). The ceremony took place beneath the Zhangtai Hall; tripods and ritual tables were arranged, and the emperor personally attended the capping ceremony. Ma Fang's brothers each had more than a thousand slaves and servants.
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| | 马防: |
马防多牧马畜，赋敛羌胡。帝不喜之，数加谴敕，所以禁遏甚备，由是权势稍损，宾客亦衰。 |
| | Ma Fang raised many horses and livestock, and levied taxes from the Qiang and Hu peoples. The emperor disapproved of this, frequently issuing reprimands and orders to suppress such activities. As a result, Ma Fang's power gradually diminished, and his circle of guests also declined.
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