Emperor Ming creates his favorite Consort Ma (who is also a favorite of his mother Empress Dowager Yin) empress in 60, and creates her adopted son Prince Da crown prince.

The same year, to honor the generals and officials who had assisted his father Emperor Guangwu in reestablishing the Han Dynasty, Emperor Ming, perhaps echoing what Emperor Xuan had done, had the portraits of twenty-eight of them drawn on a palace tower (known as the "Yuntai 28 Generals").

Later, four more portraits will be added.

However, Ma Yuan, because he was the father of the empress, did not receive this honor, although his reputation is posthumously restored.