釋氏稽古略 3.492

3.492

Taboo name Wei, courtesy name Zhongwen, a native of Yaoshan in Xingzhou. His father Jian served the Jin as Prefect of Shunzhou. Wei was orphaned when young and relied upon the Chang family of Luzhou. Li Jitao, Defense Commissioner of Luzhou, recruited a daring-to-die vanguard as soldiers; at the age of eighteen, Wei enlisted by virtue of his courage and physical strength. In the second year of the Tianfu era of the Jin, Fan Yan'gu rebelled at Weizhou. Wei was a soldier, and had once accompanied Yang Guangyuan on a northern expedition. Wei was formerly subordinate to Liu Zhiyuan; he went of his own accord to Zhiyuan and begged to remain with him. When people asked him the reason, Wei said: "Duke Yang has treacherous talent, but lacks heroic spirit. What use could he have for me? The one who can make use of me is probably Duke Liu!" Later he served Zhiyuan as Palace Guard Chief of Police. When Zhiyuan ascended the imperial throne, Wei gained merit in assisting him and was appointed Joint Manager of Affairs with the Secretariat-Chancellery. During the reign of Emperor Yindi of the Han, he repeatedly established military merit, serving as Defender of Yedu. In the eleventh month of the third year of the Qianyou era of the Han, Emperor Yindi was murdered. The Emperor ascended the throne, reigned for three years, and lived to the age of fifty-two. Guangshun (three years).