Marquess Wen of Wei

Who is Marquess Wen of Wei?

Marquess Wen of Wei was the first Marquess to rule the State of Wei during the Warring States period of Chinese history. Born Wei Si, he belonged to the House of Wei, one of the noble houses which 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 acknowledged Wei Si as Marquess of Wei whilst conferring similar titles on the leaders of the former vassal states of Han and Zhao, thereby effectively splitting the State of Jin into three and confirming the Partition of Jin.

Sima Qian praised Marquess Wen of Wei for his eagerness to learn. The Marquess is said to have often consulted the Confucian scholar Zixia 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