King Hui of Wei
Encyclopedia
King Hui of Wei originally called Marquis Hui of Wei, and after 344, King Hui of Liang (simplified Chinese and traditional Chinese: 梁惠王) was the third ruler of the state of Wei during the Warring States Period
, ruling from approximately 370 BC–319 BC. He was a grandson of Marquess Wen of Wei
, the founder of the state, and a son of Marquess Wu of Wei
.
He came to the throne after a war of succession during which his state was nearly partitioned by Zhao and Han. For his wars and eventual defeat by Qi and Qin in 340, see Warring States Period
.
He is notable for four policies. 1) In 361 he moved the capital from Anyi to Daliang
to get it out of the reach of Qin
. Anyi was on the plateau south of the Fen River not far from where the Fen River
and Wei River
join the Yellow River. Daliang was to the far southeast of the state near the border with Song
. Thereafter the state was briefly called Liang. 2) in 362-359 he made exchanges of territory with Zhao
to the north and Han
to the south. This gave Wei more rational borders, secured the new capital and gave Wei more control over trade routes. 3) In 361-355 he held several face-to-face meetings with the rulers of the neighboring states. 4) In 344 he promoted himself from Marquis (Hou), calling himself King Hui of Liang.
He also conducted several dialogues with the renowned Confucianist
Mencius
.
Warring States Period
The Warring States Period , also known as the Era of Warring States, or the Warring Kingdoms period, covers the Iron Age period from about 475 BC to the reunification of China under the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC...
, ruling from approximately 370 BC–319 BC. He was a grandson of Marquess Wen of Wei
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 Jī Sī , he was the son of Wèi Huán-zǐ . He became ruler of Wei in 445 BCE and in 424 BCE adopted the title of “Marquess”...
, the founder of the state, and a son of Marquess Wu of Wei
Marquess Wu of Wei
Marquess Wu of WeiChinese NamePinyinWèi JīTraditional Chinese魏擊Simplified Chinese魏击Family nameWèiPosthumous name 魏武侯 CountryState of Wei Lived?–370 BCE Reigned395–370 BCE...
.
He came to the throne after a war of succession during which his state was nearly partitioned by Zhao and Han. For his wars and eventual defeat by Qi and Qin in 340, see Warring States Period
Warring States Period
The Warring States Period , also known as the Era of Warring States, or the Warring Kingdoms period, covers the Iron Age period from about 475 BC to the reunification of China under the Qin Dynasty in 221 BC...
.
He is notable for four policies. 1) In 361 he moved the capital from Anyi to Daliang
Kaifeng
Kaifeng , known previously by several names , is a prefecture-level city in east-central Henan province, Central China. Nearly 5 million people live in the metropolitan area...
to get it out of the reach of Qin
Qin (state)
The State of Qin was a Chinese feudal state that existed during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of Chinese history...
. Anyi was on the plateau south of the Fen River not far from where the Fen River
Fen River
The Fen River drains the center of Shanxi Province, China. It rises in the Guancen Mountains of Ningwu County in northeast Shanxi, flows southeast into the basin of Taiyuan, and then south through the central valley of Shanxi before turning west to join the Yellow River west of Hejin. The Fen and...
and Wei River
Wei River
The Wei River is a major river in west-central China's Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. It is the largest tributary of the Yellow River and very important in the early development of Chinese civilization....
join the Yellow River. Daliang was to the far southeast of the state near the border with Song
Song (state)
Sòng was a state during the Eastern Zhou Spring and Autumn Period . Its capital was Shangqiu . In 701 BC, a political marriage between Lady Yong of Song and Duke Zhuang of Zheng empowered Song to manipulate the management of Zheng.- Origin :After King Wu of Zhou overthrew King Zhou of Shang,...
. Thereafter the state was briefly called Liang. 2) in 362-359 he made exchanges of territory with Zhao
Zhao (state)
Zhao was a significant Chinese state during the Warring States Period, along with six others...
to the north and Han
Han (state)
Han was a kingdom during the Warring States Period in China, located in modern-day Shanxi and Henan. Not to be confused with South Korea which shares the same character....
to the south. This gave Wei more rational borders, secured the new capital and gave Wei more control over trade routes. 3) In 361-355 he held several face-to-face meetings with the rulers of the neighboring states. 4) In 344 he promoted himself from Marquis (Hou), calling himself King Hui of Liang.
He also conducted several dialogues with the renowned Confucianist
Confucianism
Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius . Confucianism originated as an "ethical-sociopolitical teaching" during the Spring and Autumn Period, but later developed metaphysical and cosmological elements in the Han...
Mencius
Mencius
Mencius was a Chinese philosopher who was arguably the most famous Confucian after Confucius himself.-Life:Mencius, also known by his birth name Meng Ke or Ko, was born in the State of Zou, now forming the territory of the county-level city of Zoucheng , Shandong province, only thirty kilometres ...
.