Emperor Guangwu had in 49 once again commissioned Ma Yuan to go on an expedition—against the indigenous people of the Wulin prefecture (modern northwestern Hunan and eastern Guizhou), who had rebelled.

While Ma is on the expedition, however, a number of Ma's political enemies made false accusations against him.

Emperor Guangwu, believing these accusations, begins investigating Ma, who happens to die of illness while on the campaign.

With Ma dead and unable to defend himself, Emperor Guangwu strips Ma of his marquess title and denounces him posthumously.

(Ma's good reputation will not restored until his daughter later becomes empress to Emperor Guangwu's son Emperor Ming.)