Marquess Wen of Wei (Wèi Wén Hóu; died 396 BCE) was the first
Marquess to rule the
State of Wei
Wei (; ; Old Chinese: *') was one of the seven major states during the Warring States period of ancient China. It was created from the three-way Partition of Jin, together with Han and Zhao. Its territory lay between the states of Qin and ...
during the
Warring States period
The Warring States period () was an era in ancient Chinese history characterized by warfare, as well as bureaucratic and military reforms and consolidation. It followed the Spring and Autumn period and concluded with the Qin wars of conquest ...
of Chinese history (475 – 220 BCE). Born Wei Si (魏斯), he belonged to the House of Wei, one of the noble houses that dominated Jin politics in the 5th and 6th centuries BC.
He became ruler of Wei in 445 BCE, succeeding
Wei Huan-Zi, and in 424 BCE adopted the title of "Marquess" (). In 403 BCE
King Weilie of Zhou
King Weilie of Zhou (), personal name Jī Wǔ, was the thirty-second king of the Chinese Zhou dynasty and the twentieth of the Eastern Zhou.
His reign started in 425 BC, after his father King Kao of Zhou had died and lasted until his death in 402 ...
acknowledged Wei Si as Marquess of Wei while conferring similar titles on the leaders of the former vassal states of
Han
Han may refer to:
Ethnic groups
* Han Chinese, or Han People (): the name for the largest ethnic group in China, which also constitutes the world's largest ethnic group.
** Han Taiwanese (): the name for the ethnic group of the Taiwanese p ...
and
Zhao, thereby effectively splitting the
State of Jin into three and confirming the
Partition of Jin
The Partition of Jin (), the watershed between the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, refers to the division of the State of Jin between rival families into the three states of Han, Zhao and Wei. As a result, the three states were o ...
.
Sima Qian praised Marquess Wen of Wei for his eagerness to learn.
[ Sima Qian '']Records of the Grand Historian
''Records of the Grand Historian'', also known by its Chinese name ''Shiji'', is a monumental history of China that is the first of China's 24 dynastic histories. The ''Records'' was written in the early 1st century by the ancient Chinese his ...
'' The Marquess is said to have often consulted the
Confucian
Confucianism, also known as Ruism or Ru classicism, is a system of thought and behavior originating in ancient China. Variously described as tradition, a philosophy, a religion, a humanistic or rationalistic religion, a way of governing, or ...
scholar
Zixia
Bu Shang (507 BC – 400 BC), commonly known by his courtesy name Zixia or as Buzi (Master Bu), was an ancient Chinese philosopher and a prominent disciple of Confucius who was considered one of the most accomplished in cultural learning. He was ...
as well as
Tian Zifang () and
Duangan Mu () among others. Marquess Wen of Wei also appointed
Legalist philosopher Li Kui, whose principles for the implementation of political reforms were "to eat one must labor, to receive a salary one must provide meritorious service; those who do not will be punished." As the State of Wei underwent these reforms it became rich and powerful.
In turn, Marquess Wen defeated the
State of Zhongshan
Zhongshan () was a small state that existed during the Warring States period, which managed to survive for almost 120 years despite its small size. Its origins of its founder are a matter of contention between scholars.
Origins
The origin of ...
while General
Wu Qi
Wu Qi (, 440–381 BC) was a Chinese military leader, Legalist philosopher, and politician in the Warring States period.
Biography
Born in the State of Wey (), he was skilled in leading armies and military strategy. He had served in the state ...
attacked and took five cities in what would become
Xihe Commandery
Xihe Commandery ( zh, 西河郡) was a historical commandery of China, located in modern northern Shanxi and part of Inner Mongolia. The name "Xihe" referred to a southward section in the middle reaches of the Yellow River.
The commandery was se ...
() within the borders of the
State of Qin (between the
Yellow River
The Yellow River or Huang He (Chinese: , Mandarin: ''Huáng hé'' ) is the second-longest river in China, after the Yangtze River, and the sixth-longest river system in the world at the estimated length of . Originating in the Bayan Ha ...
and
Luo River spanning parts of modern-day
Shaanxi
Shaanxi (alternatively Shensi, see § Name) is a landlocked province of China. Officially part of Northwest China, it borders the province-level divisions of Shanxi (NE, E), Henan (E), Hubei (SE), Chongqing (S), Sichuan (SW), Gansu (W), N ...
and
Shanxi Provinces). With
Ximen Bao
Ximen Bao was a Chinese hydraulic engineer, philosopher, and politician. He was a government minister and court advisor to Marquis Wen of Wei (reigned 445–396 BC) during the Warring States period of ancient China. He was known as an early ratio ...
installed as magistrate of
Ye (in modern-day
Hebei Province
Hebei or , (; alternately Hopeh) is a northern province of China. Hebei is China's sixth most populous province, with over 75 million people. Shijiazhuang is the capital city. The province is 96% Han Chinese, 3% Manchu, 0.8% Hui, and 0 ...
),
Běimén Kě () in control of
Suanzao () and
Zhai Huang
Zhai is the Mandarin pinyin romanization of the Chinese surname written in Chinese character. It is romanized Chai in Wade–Giles, and Chak in Cantonese. It is listed 292nd in the Song dynasty classic text ''Hundred Family Surnames''. As of 2 ...
() as Senior Minister, Wei underwent political reforms and constructed irrigation systems. As a result, Wei became a powerful country during the early Warring States Period.
Life and career
In 446 BCE, the sixth year of the reign of
Duke Ai of Jin, Wèi Huán-zǐ died and was succeeded by his son Wèi Sī who became Marquess Wen of Wei.
Honoring virtue and propriety
Marquess Wen knew full well that to bring peace and stability to the country he needed to appoint worthy and virtuous officials. He had heard that
Confucian
Confucianism, also known as Ruism or Ru classicism, is a system of thought and behavior originating in ancient China. Variously described as tradition, a philosophy, a religion, a humanistic or rationalistic religion, a way of governing, or ...
scholar
Zixia
Bu Shang (507 BC – 400 BC), commonly known by his courtesy name Zixia or as Buzi (Master Bu), was an ancient Chinese philosopher and a prominent disciple of Confucius who was considered one of the most accomplished in cultural learning. He was ...
enjoyed a wide reputation as a worthy individual and went in person to pay his respects to the master. Moved by Marquess Wen's sincerity, Zixia came to Xīhé in Wei. Thereafter the people of Wei benefited greatly from Zixia's training of students in Confucian
statecraft such that people longed to come to Xīhé. One after another, many new students arrived to study under Zixia. As a result, Wei became a concentrated center of academic study possessing a multitude of talented people. There were many times when Marquess Wen respectfully consulted Zixia regarding the
Confucian Classics
Chinese classic texts or canonical texts () or simply dianji (典籍) refers to the Chinese texts which originated before the imperial unification by the Qin dynasty in 221 BC, particularly the "Four Books and Five Classics" of the Neo-Confucian ...
and the
Confucian arts of rites and music. The scholar was always patient and passed on to his ruler policies of benevolent government that cherished the people while providing an analysis of the differences between ancient and (at that time) modern music. He also used musical metaphors and advised Marquess Wen to personally follow the principles of the ancient sage emperors
Yao and
Shun
Shun may refer to one of the following:
*To shun, which means avoiding association with an individual or group
* Shun (given name), a masculine Japanese given name
*Seasonality in Japanese cuisine (''shun'', 旬)
Emperor Shun
* Emperor Shun ( ...
by staying close to his virtuous officials, avoiding flatterers, and being prudent with regard to the requirements of the monarchy over his own self-interest.
Appointment of Li Kui
Marquess Wen appointed
Li Kui as his ministerial assistant responsible for political reform. Li Kui advanced policies of "utmost fertility in education", implemented a fair grain buying law and established the tenets of "food requires labor, salary requires meritorious service," "usefulness will be rewarded" and "the monarchy has no patience with rebels." These became standard government methods in the State of Wei and made it a powerful country in the early
Warring States period
The Warring States period () was an era in ancient Chinese history characterized by warfare, as well as bureaucratic and military reforms and consolidation. It followed the Spring and Autumn period and concluded with the Qin wars of conquest ...
. The State of Wei's laws were later codified into the ''
Canon of Laws
The ''Canon of Laws'' or ''Classic of Law'' () is a lost legal code that has been attributed to Li Kui (legalist), Li Kui, a Legalism (Chinese philosophy), Legalist scholar and minister who lived in the Wei (state), State of Wei during the Warri ...
''.
Wei becomes a hegemon
When war broke out between the states of
Han
Han may refer to:
Ethnic groups
* Han Chinese, or Han People (): the name for the largest ethnic group in China, which also constitutes the world's largest ethnic group.
** Han Taiwanese (): the name for the ethnic group of the Taiwanese p ...
and
Zhao, the Han State sent a special ambassador to Wei to ask for military assistance. The envoy said: "We hope that your noble country can lend us troops to attack Zhao," whereupon Marquess Wen replied "As sovereign I will tell you that the Marquess of Zhao and I are like brothers, therefore I dare not lend you troops to attack his country." Subsequently, the Zhao state sent an envoy with an identical request for an attack against Han. Again Marquess Wen replied "As sovereign I will tell you that the Marquess of Han and I are like brothers, therefore I dare not lend you troops to attack his country." As a result, neither Han nor Zhao received military assistance from Wei, and both envoys returned angrily to their capitals. Not long afterwards, they discovered that Marquess Wen had already mediated in the dispute, and thereafter both Zhao and Han were made to pay separate tribute to Wei. Later, during the
Song Dynasty
The Song dynasty (; ; 960–1279) was an imperial dynasty of China that began in 960 and lasted until 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song following his usurpation of the throne of the Later Zhou. The Song conquered the rest ...
,
Sima Guang
Sima Guang (17 November 1019 – 11 October 1086), courtesy name Junshi, was a Chinese historian, politician, and writer. He was a high-ranking Song dynasty scholar-official who authored the monumental history book ''Zizhi Tongjian''. Sima was ...
remarked: "As a result, Wei became the strongest of the Jin vassal states with both Han and Zhao unable to match it militarily."
Sima Guang
Sima Guang (17 November 1019 – 11 October 1086), courtesy name Junshi, was a Chinese historian, politician, and writer. He was a high-ranking Song dynasty scholar-official who authored the monumental history book ''Zizhi Tongjian''. Sima was ...
'' Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government''
Seizure of Xihe
The military commander
Wu Qi
Wu Qi (, 440–381 BC) was a Chinese military leader, Legalist philosopher, and politician in the Warring States period.
Biography
Born in the State of Wey (), he was skilled in leading armies and military strategy. He had served in the state ...
threw his support behind the State of Wei when he heard that Marquess Wen was a wise and able leader. Marquess Wen asked Li Kui for his opinion of Wú Qĭ and was told: "He avidly seeks fame and glory and is a womanizer, having said that, if you put him at the head of an attack force, even
Sima Rangju would not be his equal." On hearing this Marquess Wen made Wú Qĭ a general in his army and asked him to lead his troops into the
State of Qin and seize five cities.
General Wú Qĭ subsequently occupied Qin territory to the east of the
Luo River for the four years between 409 and 406 BCE thereby expanding the State of Wei along its western borders. Marquess Wen then established the
Xihe Commandery
Xihe Commandery ( zh, 西河郡) was a historical commandery of China, located in modern northern Shanxi and part of Inner Mongolia. The name "Xihe" referred to a southward section in the middle reaches of the Yellow River.
The commandery was se ...
consisting of the five captured cities.
Governing the city of Ye
Marquess Wen appointed
Ximen Bao
Ximen Bao was a Chinese hydraulic engineer, philosopher, and politician. He was a government minister and court advisor to Marquis Wen of Wei (reigned 445–396 BC) during the Warring States period of ancient China. He was known as an early ratio ...
as magistrate of
Ye but he did not want the post. The Marquess persuaded him to take the job by saying: "Worthy minister, you should not miss this opportunity; you can definitely achieve great things in politics and become famous throughout China!" Ximen Bao took up his post then immediately summoned a group of local elders to learn about the frequent disasters suffered as a result of the nearby
Zhang River
The Zhang River is a tributary of the Wei River in China. The river commences at the confluence of the rivers Qingzhang (or Clear Zhang, 清漳河) and Zhuozhang (or Turbid Zhang, 浊漳河), where between She county of Hebei and Linzhou of ...
flooding. He was told that as a result of collusion between witches and local officials, every year a maiden had to be sacrificed to appease the river god
Hebo
Hebo () is the god of the Yellow River (''Huang He''). The Yellow River is the main river of northern China, one of the world's major rivers and a river of great cultural importance in China. This is reflected in Chinese mythology by the tales s ...
on the occasion of his taking a wife to obviate floods. Ximen Bao dismissed the story as superstitious nonsense and said it was a ruse to cheat people out of their money and property. After outlawing the sinister practice of sacrifice to the river god, Ximen Bao mobilized manpower to cut twelve drainage canals to channel the waters of the Zhang River. Thereafter there were no more floods and instead of suffering damage from the river, the fields were irrigated by it.
Overthrow of Zhongshan
Marquess Wen wanted to take control of the
State of Zhongshan
Zhongshan () was a small state that existed during the Warring States period, which managed to survive for almost 120 years despite its small size. Its origins of its founder are a matter of contention between scholars.
Origins
The origin of ...
but in order to attack, he needed access through the
State of Zhao
Zhao () was one of the seven major states during the Warring States period of ancient China. It was created from the three-way Partition of Jin, together with Han and Wei, in the 5th century BC. Zhao gained significant strength from the mil ...
. The rulers of Zhao at first refused the Marquess’ request but when the Zhao Chancellor heard he said: "If Wei attack Zhongshan and they are defeated, they are bound to have lost a significant portion of their resources and will become a weak country. If on the other hand they annihilate Zhongshan, the new territory will be bisected by our country and it will be difficult for Wei to remain in control of it for any significant period." On hearing this the Zhao ruler
Zhào Xiàn-zǐ () agreed to allow the Wei army to pass through the Zhao State.
At this time, among Minister of War
Zhai Huang
Zhai is the Mandarin pinyin romanization of the Chinese surname written in Chinese character. It is romanized Chai in Wade–Giles, and Chak in Cantonese. It is listed 292nd in the Song dynasty classic text ''Hundred Family Surnames''. As of 2 ...
's () entourage there was an individual called () who advocated an immediate attack on Zhongshan. Even though his son had been killed in Zhongshan because of Yue Yang's son Yue Shu (), Zhai Huang knew that Yue Yang was a talented field commander and gave the matter considerable thought. He then told Marquess Wen: "If my lord wishes to obtain the territory of Zhongshan then your minister recommends that Yue Yang leads the army." When the other civil and military ministers heard of this proposal they opposed it strongly, believing that Yue Yang would surrender but Zhai Huang guaranteed on his own and his family's lives that Yue Yang would not betray Wei. Marquess Wen visited Yue Yang then the two of them along with
Wu Qi
Wu Qi (, 440–381 BC) was a Chinese military leader, Legalist philosopher, and politician in the Warring States period.
Biography
Born in the State of Wey (), he was skilled in leading armies and military strategy. He had served in the state ...
led an army to attack Zhongshan.
Yue Yang laid siege to the capital of Zhongshan for three years, during which time Duke Wu of Zhongshan captured Yue Yang's son Yue Shu, killed him then cooked the body and sent the minced remains to Yue Yang. Sitting under his tent, the general ate an entire bowl full. On seeing this Marquess Wen said: "Because of me General Yang has had to eat the flesh of his own son. If he can do that, whose body would he not eat?"
The state of Zhongshan was eliminated in 406 BCE, the twenty-fifth year of Marquis Wen's reign.
When Yue Yang returned to Wei he couldn't help but develop a somewhat arrogant manner due to his achievements. When Marquis Wen found out he summoned the general to his palace and showed him some disparaging letters he had received. A tense Yue Yang kowtowed to his lord and said: "This is not to your minister's credit, it is to your credit". The Marquess rewarded Yue Yang by giving him
Lingshou County
Lingshou County () is a county of Hebei Province, North China, it is under the administration of the prefecture-level city of Shijiazhuang, the capital of the province. Lingshou town is located in the southeastern portion of Lingshou County. The lo ...
(in modern-day
Hebei Province
Hebei or , (; alternately Hopeh) is a northern province of China. Hebei is China's sixth most populous province, with over 75 million people. Shijiazhuang is the capital city. The province is 96% Han Chinese, 3% Manchu, 0.8% Hui, and 0 ...
) but never again used the general in an important position.
Creation of the three states
In 424 BCE, the tenth year of the reign of
Duke You of Jin, Marquess Wen adopted his title on his own initiative and declared 424 BCE as the first year of his own reign.
Nineteen years later in 405 BCE, during the reign of
Duke Lie of Jin, an internal revolt broke out in the
State of Qi
Qi, or Ch'i in Wade–Giles romanization, was a state of the Zhou dynasty-era in ancient China, variously reckoned as a march, duchy, and independent kingdom. Its capital was Linzi, located in present-day Shandong.
Qi was founded sh ...
around the town of Tianhui in Linqiu County (modern-day
Juancheng County
Juancheng County falls under the jurisdiction of Heze, in the southwest of Shandong
Shandong ( , ; ; Chinese postal romanization, alternately romanized as Shantung) is a coastal Provinces of China, province of the China, People's Republic ...
,
Shandong Province). The rebels asked the three Jin vassals Wei, Zhao and Han for assistance so Marquess Wen appointed Zhai Jue to lead an allied army and attack the Great Wall of Qi. After capturing the Qi ruler,
Duke Kang, the rulers of the three Jin vassals had an audience with the
Zhou King whereupon Duke Kang requested the King to dub the Wei, Han and Zhao leaders Marquesses.
In 403 BCE, the thirteenth year of the reign of Duke Lie of Jin, the
Nine Tripod Cauldrons
The Nine Tripod Cauldrons () were a collection of ding cast by the legendary Yu the Great of the Xia dynasty of ancient China. They were viewed as symbols of the authority given to the ruler by the mandate of heaven.
At the time of the Shang dyna ...
were struck in the presence of the Zhou King who then formally acknowledged that the leaders of Han, Zhao and Wei were no longer vassals of Jin but rulers in their own right with the title of "Marquess". The event is often considered the beginning of the
Warring States period
The Warring States period () was an era in ancient Chinese history characterized by warfare, as well as bureaucratic and military reforms and consolidation. It followed the Spring and Autumn period and concluded with the Qin wars of conquest ...
.
[
]
Death
Marquess Wen died in 396 BCE. On his deathbed he summoned Wu Qi
Wu Qi (, 440–381 BC) was a Chinese military leader, Legalist philosopher, and politician in the Warring States period.
Biography
Born in the State of Wey (), he was skilled in leading armies and military strategy. He had served in the state ...
, Ximen Bao
Ximen Bao was a Chinese hydraulic engineer, philosopher, and politician. He was a government minister and court advisor to Marquis Wen of Wei (reigned 445–396 BC) during the Warring States period of ancient China. He was known as an early ratio ...
and Běimén Kě among others and entrusted his son Prince of Wei to their care. After Marquess Wen died, his son Marquess Wu of Wei became ruler of Wei.
Family
* Father: Wei Huan-zi
* Brother: Wei Cheng
* Sons:
** Marquess Wu of Wei
** Zhi, Lord of Zhongshan
* Daughter:
**
References
External links
Rulers of the warring states
{{Monarchs of Wei (state)
Monarchs of Wei (state)
Zhou dynasty people
396 BC deaths
5th-century BC Chinese monarchs
4th-century BC Chinese monarchs
Zhongjunjiang of Jin
Founding monarchs