Wei Yuan
Encyclopedia
Wei Yuan born Wei Yuanda (魏远达), courtesy names Moshen (默深) and Hanshi (汉士), was a Chinese
scholar from Shaoyang, Hunan
. He moved to Yangzhou
in 1831, where he remained for the rest of his life. Wei obtained the provincial degree (juren) in the Imperial examinations and subsequently worked in the secretariat of several prominent statesmen, such as Lin Zexu
. Wei was deeply concerned with the crisis facing China in the early 19th century; but, while he remained loyal to the Qing Dynasty
, he also sketched a number of proposals for the improvement of the administration of the empire.
From an early age, Wei espoused the New Text school of Confucianism
and he also became a vocal member of the statecraft school, which advocated practical learning in opposition to the allegedly barren evidentiary scholarship
as represented by scholars like Dai Zhen
. Among other things, Wei advocated sea transport of grain to the capital instead of using the Grand Canal
and he also advocated a strengthening of the Qing Empire's frontier defense. In order to alleviate the demographic crisis in China proper
, Wei also spoke in favor of large scale emigration of Han Chinese
into Xinjiang
.
Later in his career he became increasingly concerned with the threat from the Western power
s and maritime defense. Military history of the Qing Dynasty (聖武記, Shèngwu Ji) and a narrative work on the Opium War (道光洋艘征撫記, Daoguang Yangsou Zhengfu Ji ). Today, he is mostly known for his work from 1844, Illustrated Treatise on the Maritime Kingdoms (海國圖志, Haiguo Tuzhì), which consisted of Western material collected by Lin Zexu during and after the First Opium War
.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
scholar from Shaoyang, Hunan
Shaoyang
-Administrative divisions:*Shuangqing District *Daxiang District *Beita District *Wugang City *Shaodong County *Shaoyang County *Xinshao County *Longhui County *Dongkou County *Suining County...
. He moved to Yangzhou
Yangzhou
Yangzhou is a prefecture-level city in central Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China. Sitting on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, it borders the provincial capital of Nanjing to the southwest, Huai'an to the north, Yancheng to the northeast, Taizhou to the east, and Zhenjiang across...
in 1831, where he remained for the rest of his life. Wei obtained the provincial degree (juren) in the Imperial examinations and subsequently worked in the secretariat of several prominent statesmen, such as Lin Zexu
Lin Zexu
Lín Zéxú ; 30 August 1785 – 22 November 1850) was a Chinese scholar and official during the Qing Dynasty.He is most recognized for his conduct and his constant position on the "high moral ground" in his fight, as a "shepherd" of his people, against the opium trade in Guangzhou...
. Wei was deeply concerned with the crisis facing China in the early 19th century; but, while he remained loyal to the Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
, he also sketched a number of proposals for the improvement of the administration of the empire.
From an early age, Wei espoused the New Text school of Confucianism
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...
and he also became a vocal member of the statecraft school, which advocated practical learning in opposition to the allegedly barren evidentiary scholarship
Han learning
Han Learning , or the Han school of classical philology, was an intellectual movement that reached its height in the mid-Qing dynasty in China.-Nature and origins:...
as represented by scholars like Dai Zhen
Dai Zhen
Dai Zhen was a notable Chinese scholar of the Qing Dynasty from Xiuning, Anhui. A versatile scholar, he made great contributions to mathematics, geography, phonology and philosophy...
. Among other things, Wei advocated sea transport of grain to the capital instead of using the Grand Canal
Grand Canal of China
The Grand Canal in China, also known as the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal is the longest canal or artificial river in the world. Starting at Beijing, it passes through Tianjin and the provinces of Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang to the city of Hangzhou...
and he also advocated a strengthening of the Qing Empire's frontier defense. In order to alleviate the demographic crisis in China proper
China proper
China proper or Eighteen Provinces was a term used by Western writers on the Qing Dynasty to express a distinction between the core and frontier regions of China. There is no fixed extent for China proper, as many administrative, cultural, and linguistic shifts have occurred in Chinese history...
, Wei also spoke in favor of large scale emigration of Han Chinese
Han Chinese
Han Chinese are an ethnic group native to China and are the largest single ethnic group in the world.Han Chinese constitute about 92% of the population of the People's Republic of China , 98% of the population of the Republic of China , 78% of the population of Singapore, and about 20% of the...
into Xinjiang
Xinjiang
Xinjiang is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China. It is the largest Chinese administrative division and spans over 1.6 million km2...
.
Later in his career he became increasingly concerned with the threat from the Western power
Western world
The Western world, also known as the West and the Occident , is a term referring to the countries of Western Europe , the countries of the Americas, as well all countries of Northern and Central Europe, Australia and New Zealand...
s and maritime defense. Military history of the Qing Dynasty (聖武記, Shèngwu Ji) and a narrative work on the Opium War (道光洋艘征撫記, Daoguang Yangsou Zhengfu Ji ). Today, he is mostly known for his work from 1844, Illustrated Treatise on the Maritime Kingdoms (海國圖志, Haiguo Tuzhì), which consisted of Western material collected by Lin Zexu during and after the First Opium War
First Opium War
The First Anglo-Chinese War , known popularly as the First Opium War or simply the Opium War, was fought between the United Kingdom and the Qing Dynasty of China over their conflicting viewpoints on diplomatic relations, trade, and the administration of justice...
.