魏世家

The ancestors of Wei descended from Bi Gaogao. Bi Gaogao shared the same surname as the Zhou royal house. When King Wu overthrew the Shang tyrant Zhou, he enfeoffed Gaogao at Bi, and so the family took the surname Bi. Later the line lost its fief and became commoners, some remaining in the central states, others scattering among the barbarian peoples.

A descendant named Bi Wan served Duke Xian of Jin. In the sixteenth year of Duke Xian's reign, Zhao Su drove the carriage while Bi Wan served as shield-bearer as they attacked and destroyed the states of Huo, Geng, and Wei. Zhao Su received Geng as his fief, while Bi Wan was granted Wei and appointed as a grand official. The diviner Bu Yan interpreted this fortune: "Bi Wan's descendants will surely flourish. Wan represents the complete number; Wei is a magnificent name. This inaugural reward opens the way for heaven's design—the Son of Heaven governs the multitudes, while feudal lords command the multitudes of families. Bestowing such a grand name, aligned with the perfect number, will surely attract many followers."

Bi Wan divined his service to Jin and received the hexagram Tun followed by Bi. Xin Liao interpreted it: "Auspicious. When Tun's stability gives way to Bi's entry, what fortune could be greater? His descendants will surely flourish and prosper."

In the third year of Duke Dao's reign, he met with the feudal lords. Duke Dao's younger brother Yang Gan disrupted the procession, and Wei Jiang executed Yang Gan's attendant in disgrace. Duke Dao flew into a rage: "Gathering the feudal lords brings honor; now my brother has been insulted! I shall execute Wei Jiang." Someone reasoned with the duke, who relented. He ultimately entrusted Wei Jiang with state affairs, sending him to reconcile with the Rong and Di peoples, who thereupon came to trust and submit to Jin.

He moved the seat of government to Yi. Wei Jiang died and was posthumously titled Marquis Zhao. He sired Wei Ying, who sired Wei Xianzi. Wei Xianzi served Duke Zhao of Jin. When Duke Zhao died, the six ministerial families grew powerful while the ducal house weakened.

In the twelfth year of Duke Qing of Jin's reign, Han Xuanzi retired, and Wei Xianzi became chief minister of state. The Jin ducal families of Qishi and Yangshe incurred mutual enmity, and the six ministers destroyed them, seizing all their towns to establish ten counties, each minister appointing his own son as grand official. Wei Xianzi joined Zhao Jianzi, Zhonghang Wenzi, and Fan Xianzi as Jin's four ministers.

Duke Wen studied the classics under Zi Xia and took Duan Ganmu as a guest. Passing their villages, he never failed to bow from his carriage in respect. When Qin considered attacking Wei, someone observed: "Wei treats its wise men with proper courtesy; its people speak of its benevolence; ruler and ministers live in harmony—this is no state to scheme against." Through such conduct, Duke Wen earned praise throughout the realm.

Li Ke said: "Moreover, the terms in which you recommended yourself to your lord—could they have been to form factions for the sake of high office? His Lordship asked which to appoint, 'Cheng or Huang.' I answered based on those five criteria—how could I have judged otherwise? Hence I knew Wei Chengzi should be prime minister. How could you possibly compare yourself to him? Wei Chengzi draws a salary of a thousand zhong, of which nine parts are spent outside his household and only one part within, thereby attracting such men as Bu Zi Xia, Tian Zifang, and Duan Ganmu from the east. These three men, Your Lordship treats as teachers. The five men you recommended, Your Lordship treats as subordinates. How can you compare yourself to Wei Chengzi?"

In the twenty-sixth year, Mount Guo collapsed, damming the Yellow River. In the thirty-second year, Wei attacked Zheng and fortified Suanti. They defeated Qin at Zhu. In the thirty-fifth year, Qi captured Xiangling. In the thirty-sixth year, Qin invaded Yingu. In the thirty-eighth year, Wei attacked Qin and suffered defeat at Wuxia, losing their general Shi. That same year, Duke Wen died. His son Ji ascended the throne as Duke Wu of Wei.

In the twenty-sixth year, Mount Guo collapsed, damming the Yellow River. In the thirty-second year, Wei attacked Zheng and fortified Suanti. They defeated Qin at Zhu. In the thirty-fifth year, Qi captured Xiangling. In the thirty-sixth year, Qin invaded Yingu. In the thirty-eighth year, Wei attacked Qin and suffered defeat at Wuxia, losing their general Shi. That same year, Duke Wen died. His son Ji ascended the throne as Duke Wu of Wei.

In the twenty-sixth year, Mount Guo collapsed, damming the Yellow River. In the thirty-second year, Wei attacked Zheng and fortified Suanti. They defeated Qin at Zhu. In the thirty-fifth year, Qi captured Xiangling. In the thirty-sixth year, Qin invaded Yingu. In the thirty-eighth year, Wei attacked Qin and suffered defeat at Wuxia, losing their general Shi. That same year, Duke Wen died. His son Ji ascended the throne as Duke Wu of Wei.

Duke Wu died. His son succeeded him as Duke Hui of Wei.

In the thirty-first year, Qin, Zhao, and Qi jointly attacked Wei. Qin's general Shang YangShang YangThe Reformer Who Built a War MachineHe turned Qin from a backward state into the most powerful kingdom in China — then was torn apart by the same state he created.View profile → deceived Wei's General Gongzi Ang and seized his army, defeating it. Through Shang YangShang YangThe Reformer Who Built a War MachineHe turned Qin from a backward state into the most powerful kingdom in China — then was torn apart by the same state he created.View profile →'s reforms, Qin extended its eastern borders to the Yellow River. Meanwhile, Qi and Zhao repeatedly defeated Wei. An Yi lay near Qin, so the capital was moved to Daliang. Prince He was installed as heir apparent.

In the thirty-first year, Qin, Zhao, and Qi jointly attacked Wei. Qin's general Shang YangShang YangThe Reformer Who Built a War MachineHe turned Qin from a backward state into the most powerful kingdom in China — then was torn apart by the same state he created.View profile → deceived Wei's General Gongzi Ang and seized his army, defeating it. Through Shang YangShang YangThe Reformer Who Built a War MachineHe turned Qin from a backward state into the most powerful kingdom in China — then was torn apart by the same state he created.View profile →'s reforms, Qin extended its eastern borders to the Yellow River. Meanwhile, Qi and Zhao repeatedly defeated Wei. An Yi lay near Qin, so the capital was moved to Daliang. Prince He was installed as heir apparent.

In the thirty-third year, Duke Xiao of Qin died. Shang YangShang YangThe Reformer Who Built a War MachineHe turned Qin from a backward state into the most powerful kingdom in China — then was torn apart by the same state he created.View profile → fled from Qin to Wei, but Wei, enraged, refused him entry. In the thirty-fifth year, Wei met King Xuan of Qi at Ping'a South.

Ruer then went to see the King of Wei and said: "Your servant has a matter to report regarding Wey. Wey is a branch of the Zhou royal house, though it calls itself a small state and possesses many treasures. Now that the state is pressed by difficulties yet its treasures are not brought forth, the reason is that they believe whoever attacks Wey and placates Wey does not take Your Majesty as their sovereign. Therefore, although their treasures might be sent out, they will not be submitted to Your Majesty. I have considered this carefully—whichever state first offers to placate Wey will gain Wey's allegiance."

Ruer then went to see the King of Wei and said: "Your servant has a matter to report regarding Wey. Wey is a branch of the Zhou royal house, though it calls itself a small state and possesses many treasures. Now that the state is pressed by difficulties yet its treasures are not brought forth, the reason is that they believe whoever attacks Wey and placates Wey does not take Your Majesty as their sovereign. Therefore, although their treasures might be sent out, they will not be submitted to Your Majesty. I have considered this carefully—whichever state first offers to placate Wey will gain Wey's allegiance."

The Wei minister Tian Xu died. The state of Chu feared that Zhang Yi, Xi Shou, or the Lord of Xue might become prime minister of Wei. Chu's minister Zhao Yu said to Su Dai: "With Tian Xu dead, I fear that one of the three—Zhang Yi, Xi Shou, or the Lord of Xue—will become Wei's prime minister."

Zhao Yu asked: "How?"

Su Dai replied: "You should act as the King of Liang would, and I will persuade him. But tell me—what troubles you?"

Su Dai replied: "You should act as the King of Liang would, and I will persuade him. But tell me—what troubles you?"

Zhao Yu said: "Tian Xu is dead, and I fear that one of the three—Zhang Yi, Xi Shou, or the Lord of Xue—will become Wei's prime minister."

Zhao Yu said: "Tian Xu is dead, and I fear that one of the three—Zhang Yi, Xi Shou, or the Lord of Xue—will become Wei's prime minister."

Zhao Yu said: "Tian Xu is dead, and I fear that one of the three—Zhang Yi, Xi Shou, or the Lord of Xue—will become Wei's prime minister."

Su Dai said: "The King of Liang is a sovereign who will be firm in his decisions—he will certainly not appoint Zhang Yi. If Zhang Yi becomes prime minister, he will favor Qin and neglect Wei. If Xi Shou becomes prime minister, he will favor Han and neglect Wei. If the Lord of Xue becomes prime minister, he will favor Qi and neglect Wei. The King of Liang, being a sovereign of firm judgment, will certainly not find any of these arrangements convenient."

Su Dai replied: "No one is better suited than the Crown Prince becoming his own prime minister. If the Crown Prince becomes prime minister, all three of these men will regard him as an unusual figure. Each will devote his state's affairs to Wei, seeking the prime minister's seal. With Wei's strength and the support of three powerful states, Wei will certainly be secure. Therefore, I say no one is better suited than the Crown Prince becoming his own prime minister."

In the tenth year, Zhang Yi died.

In the twelfth year, the Crown Prince visited Qin. Qin launched an attack on Wei's Pizhi, but the siege was lifted before the city fell.

In the sixteenth year, Qin captured Wei's Pufan, Yangjin, and Fengling.

In the sixteenth year, Qin captured Wei's Pufan, Yangjin, and Fengling.

In the seventeenth year, [the King of Wei] met with Qin at Linjin. Qin returned Pufan to Wei.

In the seventeenth year, [the King of Wei] met with Qin at Linjin. Qin returned Pufan to Wei.

In the eighteenth year, [the King of Wei] marched with Qin against Chu.

In the eighteenth year, [the King of Wei] marched with Qin against Chu.

In the twenty-third year, Qin again returned our territory beyond the Yellow River along with Fengling as part of a peace settlement.

In the first year of King Zhaowang's reign, Qin captured Xiangcheng.

In the second year, [Wei] fought against Qin and suffered defeat.

In the third year, [Wei] assisted Han in attacking Qin. Qin's general Bai QiBai QiThe Greatest General of QinHe destroyed more enemy armies than any general in Chinese history — and was executed by his own emperor for refusing to fight one last campaign.View profile → defeated our forces at Yique, killing 240,000 men.

In the third year, [Wei] assisted Han in attacking Qin. Qin's general Bai QiBai QiThe Greatest General of QinHe destroyed more enemy armies than any general in Chinese history — and was executed by his own emperor for refusing to fight one last campaign.View profile → defeated our forces at Yique, killing 240,000 men.

In the sixth year, [Wei] ceded 400 li of territory east of the Yellow River to Qin.

Mang Mao rose to prominence through deception.

In the eighth year, King Zhao of Qin proclaimed himself Western Emperor, and King Min of Qi proclaimed himself Eastern Emperor. After more than a month, both resumed their titles as kings and abandoned their imperial claims.

In the twelfth year, [the King of Wei], together with Qin, Zhao, Han, and Yan, jointly attacked Qi and defeated them west of the Ji River. King Min fled into exile. Only Yan entered Linzi. [The King of Wei] met with the King of Qin at Xizhou.

In the nineteenth year, King Zhaowang died, and his son King Anlixi ascended the throne.

In the first year of King Anlixi's reign, Qin captured two of our cities.