Comprehensive Biography of Wei Zi
Wei Zi, styled Zixu (衞茲字子許; d. Spring 190), was a civil and military official. He saw potential in Cao Cao before he became powerful, but died in the Battle of Xingyang before he could follow Cao Cao any further.
Ancestry
Wei Zi came from Xiangyi County, Chenliu Commandery.[1]
Early life
He was famous for his moral integrity.[1] He and a Juan Wensheng (圈文生; actual name unknown) from the same commandery were both known for being virtuous, but this changed when both of them went to buy some goods in a market. While Wei Zi bought the goods at its market value, Juan Wensheng demanded rudely that the seller lower the price, which he did. One of their travelling companions, Guo Tai, commented,
"Zixu has few wants, but Wensheng has many desires. These two men are not just my brothers, we are like father and son."
Soon, while Wei Zi became more famous for his strict morality, Juan Wensheng's social status declined when he was caught being corrupt.[2]
Wei Zi was nominated as Filial and Incorrupt at one point.[3] Later, the Excellencies tried to recruit him, but Wei Zi declined.[1] However, he later joined the staff of He Miao, and then joined Yang Biao.[2] He eventually became one of Zhang Miao's subordinates.[1]
When Cao Cao arrived in Chenliu, probably to meet Zhang Miao, Wei Zi allegedly said of him,
"The one who will bring peace to the world must be this man!"
Cao Cao likewise liked Wei Zi and visited him several times to talk about important events.[1] One such meeting had Wei Zi say to Cao Cao,
"Chaos has been rising for too long! Without an army, you cannot correct it. The raising of troops should begin right now!"
Cao Cao agreed.[4] Wei Zi used his family's wealth to help Cao Cao raise a force of around 3,000.[3]
Death
Sent by Zhang Miao, Wei Zi participated in the Battle of Xingyang against Dong Zhuo's general, Xu Rong, with Cao Cao. However, Cao Cao was defeated greatly. Wei Zi used all his might to try to turn the tide of battle, but was killed in the process.[1][4]
Postmortem events
Every time Cao Cao passed through the borders of Chenliu Commandery, he would send someone to offer sacrifices to Wei Zi.[1]
Family
His son, Wei Zhen, would serve the Wei dynasty.[1]
Personal Info
Name: Wei Zi
Style name: Zixu (子許)[4]
Death date: Spring 190 (2nd lunar month)[5]
References
[1] - 【衞臻字公振，陳留襄邑人也。父茲，有大節，不應三公之闢。太祖之初至陳留，茲曰：「平天下者，必此人也。」太祖亦異之，數詣茲議大事。從討董卓，戰於熒陽而卒。太祖每涉郡境，輒遣使祠焉。】《三國志注•卷二十二》
[2] - 【茲弱冠與同郡圈文生俱稱盛德。林宗與二人共至市，子許買物，隨價讎直，文生訾呵，減價乃取。林宗曰：「子許少欲，文生多情，此二人非徒兄弟，乃父子也。」後文生以穢貨見損，茲以烈節垂名。】《郭林宗傳》
[3] - 【陳留孝廉衞茲以家財資太祖，使起兵，衆有五千人。】《世語》
[4] - 【茲字子許。不為激詭之行，不徇流俗之名；明慮淵深，規略宏遠。為車騎將軍何苗所辟，司徒楊彪再加旌命。董卓作亂，漢室傾蕩，太祖到陳留，始與茲相見，遂同盟，計興武事。茲荅曰：「亂生久矣，非兵無以整之。」且言「兵之興者，自今始矣」。深見廢興，首讚弘謀。合兵三千人，從太祖入熒陽，力戰終日，失利，身歿。】《先賢行狀》
[5] - 【邈遣將衞茲分兵隨太祖。到熒陽汴水，遇卓將徐榮，與戰不利，士卒死傷甚多。太祖為流矢所中，所乘馬被創，從弟洪以馬與太祖，得夜遁去。】《三國志•卷一》
