Wei State

A major power born from the Partition of Jin, shifting its seat to Daliang under King Hui before falling to Qin in 225 BCE after a prolonged siege.

via Wikipedia: Wei (state) · see source

Wei was one of the seven major states during the Warring States period, created from the three-way Partition of Jin alongside Han and Zhao. Its territory stretched between Qin and Qi, covering parts of modern-day Henan, Hebei, and Shanxi, with only brief and limited expansion into western Shandong. Initially founded by descendants of Bi Wan, who served Duke Xian of Jin, Wei gained legitimacy when King Weilie of Zhou elevated its rulers to marquess in 403 BCE. The state reached its apogee under Marquess Wen and Marquess Wu before shifting focus under King Hui (reign 369–319 BC). During his rule, the capital moved from Anyi to Daliang (present-day Kaifeng), leading the state to also be known as Liang. Wei is distinct from the smaller central Wey state—not just in its Chinese character, but also in its history, location, and ruling house.

Quick Facts

Capital: Daliang
Primary rivals: Qin

Lore & Background

Wei's ruling house traces back to Gao, Duke of Bi, a son of King Wen of Zhou. His descendant, Bi Wan, served as a courtier for Duke Xian of Jin and was granted the fief of Wei in present-day Ruicheng County, Shanxi, after a successful expedition. By 453 BCE, the founders of Wei, Zhao, and Han joined forces to kill the dominant house of Zhi, but the formal recognition of Wei, Han, and Zhao as separate states by King Weilie of Zhou occurred in 403 BCE. These three houses acted as hegemonic powers until King Weilie legitimized them in 403 BCE. The state flourished under Marquess Wen (445–396 BCE) and Marquess Wu (396–370 BCE). King Hui declared himself an independent sovereign in 344 BC, focusing on economic development, Yellow River irrigation projects, and Legalist reforms by Li Kui. However, a series of battles, including the battle of Maling in 341 BCE, checked Wei's ambitions while Qin expanded unimpeded.

Reader's Guide

Wei was defined by its Legalist reforms under Li Kui (c. 459 – c. 395 BCE) and its irrigation projects at the Yellow River during King Hui's reign. Notable figures include Pang Juan, a general defeated at Maling; Li Kui, the chancellor; Yue Yang, prime minister of Zhongshan; and Hui Shi, a correspondent with Zhuang Zhou. The state's rulers included Marquess Wen (Si or Du), Marquess Wu (Ji), King Hui (Ying), King Xiang (Si or He), King Zhao (Chi), King Anxi (Yu), King Jingmin (Zeng or Wu), and finally King Jia (228–225 BCE). The state surrendered to Qin after the flood of Daliang, ending its existence as a Warring State.