Duke Kang, whose name is Feng, was his mother's younger brother and is the second oldest. He has a younger brother named Ran Ji, who is the youngest. After King Wu of Zhou defeated King Zhou of Shang, he entrusted the remaining Shang subjects to Wu Geng, King Zhou's son, as a vassal lord, allowing him to maintain ancestral rites. Because Wu Geng had just been granted the land, King Wu was worried that he might revolt, so he sent his brothers Duke Guan and Duke Cai to assist Wu Geng in managing the people and stabilizing the situation. After King Wu's death, King Cheng was still young, so the Duke of Zhou acted as regent and held supreme authority. Duke Guan and Duke Cai suspected the Duke of Zhou's intentions and rebelled with Wu Geng, planning to attack the Zhou capital (Chengzhou). The Duke of Zhou followed King Cheng's orders and led troops to attack the Shang dynasty, killing Wu Geng and Duke Guan and exiling Duke Cai. Then, the Duke of Zhou granted Wu Geng's original land and the remaining people of the Shang dynasty to Duke Kang, making him the Duke of Wei, residing in the region between the Yellow and Qi Rivers, the former Shang capital. The Duke of Zhou was concerned that Duke Kang was young and inexperienced, so he formally instructed him, saying, "Seek out wise Shang elders; learn from their experience of the dynasty's rise and fall; and above all, cherish your people." The Duke of Zhou also told Duke Kang that the downfall of King Zhou of Shang was due to his drunkenness and debauchery, and all this stemmed from his drinking, so King Zhou's corrupt rule began with indulgence in alcohol. The Duke of Zhou also used the analogy of catalpa wood to explain the teachings and standards for a nobleman. These teachings are known as the *Kang Gao*, *Jiu Gao*, and *Zi Cai*. Duke Kang, governing Wei according to these teachings, united his people and brought them prosperity.
After Cheng Wang grew up and became an adult, he personally governed the country, promoted Kang Shu to be the Chief Justice of the Zhou Dynasty, and rewarded him with Wei's state treasures and vessels for sacrifices to commend his achievements. Kang Shu was succeeded by his son, Kang Bo; Kang Bo by Kao Bo; Kao Bo by Si Bo; Si Bo by his son (name missing); (name missing) by Jing Bo; Jing Bo by Zhen Bo; Zhen Bo by Qing Hou.
Qing Hou heavily bribed King Yi of Zhou, and King Yi officially enfeoffed the Wei State as a marquisate. After ruling for twelve years, Qing Hou passed away, and his son Li Hou succeeded him. During the thirteen years of Li Hou's reign, King Li of Zhou fled to Zhi (modern Huo County, Shanxi), implemented a regency ruled by his ministers. Twenty-eight years later, King Xuan of Zhou succeeded to the throne.
Forty-two years later, Li Hou passed away, and his crown prince Gong Bo Yu succeeded him. Li Hou's favored younger brother, He, received substantial wealth. He used this wealth to gain popular support, then attacked and killed Gong Bo near his tomb. Gong Bo fled to Li Hou's tomb and committed suicide. The people of Wei buried Gong Bo next to Li Hou and installed He as the Marquis of Wei, known as Marquis Wu of Wei.
After Marquis Wu ascended to the throne, he continued the good governance of the Kang Shu era, and the people lived in peace and prosperity. Forty-two years later, the nomadic Quanrong tribes killed King You of Zhou, and Marquis Wu led troops to help quell the rebellion, achieving great success, so King Ping of Zhou made him a vassal lord. Fifty-five years later, Marquis Wu passed away, and his son Zhuang Gong succeeded him.
Five years into his reign, Duke Zhuang married a woman from the state of Qi. Despite their happy marriage, they remained childless. Later, he married a woman from the state of Chen, who gave birth to a son, but unfortunately, he died young. The Chen woman's sister also caught Duke Zhuang's eye and gave birth to a son named Wan. After Wan's mother passed away, Duke Zhuang had the Qi wife raise Wan and appointed him as the crown prince. However, Duke Zhuang also had a favored concubine who gave birth to a son named Zhou Yu. Eighteen years later, Zhou Yu grew into a war-loving young man. Duke Zhuang even allowed him to lead troops, even though Shi Que warned him it would end badly. Twenty-three years later, Duke Zhuang passed away, and Wan succeeded him as Duke Huan of Wei.
In the second year of Duke Huan's reign, his brother Zhou Yu became spoiled and reckless, so Duke Huan demoted him, and Zhou Yu fled. Thirteen years later, the Zheng prince's rebellion failed, and he fled. Zhou Yu sought an alliance with him at this time. Sixteen years later, Zhou Yu rallied Wei's exiles, then ambushed and killed Duke Huan, and seized the throne. He also planned to attack Zheng with the brother of the ruler of Zheng and requested assistance from the states of Song, Chen, and Cai, all of whom agreed to support Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu, who had just become ruler, loved warfare and had killed Duke Huan, making him unpopular among the people of Wei. Shi Que took advantage of the fact that Duke Huan's mother's family was in Chen, pretended to be kind to Zhou Yu, and lured him to the outskirts of Zheng. Once there, Shi Que and the ruler of Chen conspired to have Wei's right minister offer a feast, then killed Zhou Yu at Pudi, and brought Duke Huan's brother Jin from Xing to be installed as the ruler, who became Duke Xuan of Wei.
Seven years later, Lu killed Duke Yin. Nine years later, a Song official murdered Duke Shang and Kongfu. Ten years later, Jin's Quwo prince killed Duke Ai.
So, eighteen years back, Duke Xuan of Wei particularly favored his wife, Lady Yijiang, who gave birth to a son named Ji and made him the crown prince, with his younger brother assisting him. The other prince married a girl from the state of Qi to be the girl he'd picked for his son, but before she could enter the household, Duke Xuan saw her and snatched her up for himself, then chose another woman for the crown prince. After Duke Xuan got the woman from Qi, he had two sons named Shou and Shuo with her, and had his younger brother assist them. Later, the crown prince Ji's mother passed away, and Duke Xuan's main wife and Shuo framed the crown prince Ji. Duke Xuan already felt guilty for taking the crown prince's wife and wasn't happy with him, wanting to depose him. Upon hearing these false accusations, he became even angrier and sent the crown prince Ji to Qi while tipping off the bandits on the border to kill anyone with a white flag. Before leaving, Shou, the crown prince's younger brother from the same mother, knew that Shuo was setting up Ji and that Duke Xuan wanted to kill him, so he advised the crown prince, "If the bandits see you with that white flag, they'll kill you. Don't go!" The crown prince said, "I can't disobey the old man and run away." So he went anyway. Shou, seeing that the crown prince was determined to go, secretly stole the white flag from him and ran to the border first. The bandits on the border saw the white flag and killed Shou. When Shou died, the crown prince Ji arrived and said to the bandits, "The one you should kill is me." The bandits then killed the crown prince Ji, settling the score for Duke Xuan. Duke Xuan then made Shuo the crown prince.
Nineteen years later, Duke Xuan passed away, and Shuo succeeded him, becoming Duke Hui of Wei. His younger and older brothers were very unhappy about Shuo's succession. In the fourth year of Duke Hui's reign, they rebelled against him and kicked him out, blaming him for what happened to the old crown prince Ji, and installed Ji's younger brother Qian Mou as ruler. Duke Hui fled to the state of Qi.
Qian Mou served as the Duke of Wei for eight years. Duke Xiang of Qi attacked Wei on the king's orders, restoring Duke Hui and executing his brothers. Qian Mou fled to the Zhou dynasty, and Duke Hui reclaimed his throne. After three years as ruler, Duke Hui fled again, returning after eight years, totaling thirteen years.
In the twenty-fifth year, Duke Hui, resentful of the Zhou dynasty's protection of Qian Mou, attacked Zhou in alliance with Yan. King Hui of Zhou fled to Wendi, and Wei and Yan installed Hui's brother, Tuo, as king. In the twenty-ninth year, Zheng brought King Hui back. In the thirty-first year, Duke Hui died, and his son, Duke Chi, succeeded him.
After Duke Chi became ruler, he particularly enjoyed raising cranes and lived a life of luxury and pleasure. After nine years, the Di people attacked Wei, and Duke Chi wanted to lead the troops in resistance, but the soldiers betrayed him. The ministers said, "Oh, you love your cranes so much? Maybe they can fight off the Di for you!" As a result, the Di people conquered Wei and killed Duke Chi.
During Duke Chi's rule, the people and ministers did not support him. Since Duke Hui listened to slander and killed the crown prince Ji, then appointed Duke Chi as ruler, there was a widespread desire to overthrow him. In the end, Duke Hui's descendants were all wiped out, and instead, Qian Mou's brother, Shan, was enthroned as Duke Dai of Wei.
Duke Dai Shan died after one year in power. Duke Huan of Qi saw the chaos in Wei, so he led other vassals to attack the Di people, fortified Chuqiu for Wei, and installed Dai's brother, Hui, as Duke Wen. Duke Wen fled to Qi due to the previous chaos in Wei, and the people of Qi helped him regain control of Wei.
At the beginning, after the Di people killed Duke Yi, the Wei people sympathized with him and wanted to establish the descendants of Prince Ji, who was killed before Duke Xuan, as the ruler. However, Ji's son had also died, and Shou, who succeeded Ji, had no sons. Prince Ji had two younger brothers with the same mother: one named Qian Mou, who had served as the ruler for eight years in place of Duke Hui, and another named Zhao Bo. Both Zhao Bo and Qian Mou had died, so Zhao Bo's son Shen was established as Duke Dai. After Duke Dai died, his brother Hui was established as Duke Wen.
When Duke Wen first became ruler, he reduced taxes, rectified wrongful cases, worked diligently, and shared the ups and downs with his people, thus stabilizing the hearts of the Wei people.
Sixteen years later, the Jin prince Chong'er passed through Wei, but Duke Wen snubbed him. Seventeen years later, Duke Huan of Qi died. Twenty-five years later, Duke Wen died, and his son Cheng Gong Zheng succeeded him.
In 672 BC, the state of Jin wanted to pass through Wei to rescue the state of Song, but Duke Cheng Gong disagreed. Jin changed its route and passed through the southern river to rescue Song. Later, Jin requested troops from Wei, and although Wei's ministers wanted to agree, Duke Cheng Gong refused. Yuan Xian staged a coup against Duke Cheng Gong, who was forced to flee. Jin's Duke Chong'er attacked Wei and gave part of Wei's land to Song to punish Wei for its earlier slight and refusal to aid Song. Duke Cheng Gong fled to the state of Chen. Two years later, he went to the Zhou dynasty to request to return to his country and met with Jin's Duke Wen. Jin tried to poison Duke Cheng Gong, but he slipped the poisoned wine to the Zhou emperor, diluting the poison and saving himself. Later, the Zhou emperor pleaded with Duke Wen on behalf of Duke Cheng Gong, who eventually returned to Wei. Yuan Xian was killed, and Wei's ruler Xia fled. Seven years later, Jin's Duke Wen died. Twelve years later, Duke Cheng Gong went to pay respects to Jin's Duke Xiang. Fourteen years later, Qin's Duke Mu died. Twenty-six years later, Qi experienced internal turmoil, and Bing Chu killed Duke Yi of Qi. Thirty-five years later, Duke Cheng Gong died, and his son Mu Gong Kuai took over.
In the second year of Duke Mu's reign, King Zhuang of Chu attacked Chen, killing Xia Zhengshu. In the third year, King Zhuang besieged Zheng, which surrendered, and he released Zheng. In the eleventh year, Sun Liangfu rescued Lu, attacked Qi, and retook the lost territory. Duke Mu died, and his son Duke Ding succeeded to the throne. Duke Ding reigned for twelve years before he died, and his son Duke Xian succeeded him. Duke Xian reigned for thirteen years, during which he had the musician Cao teach a palace girl to play the zither. When the palace girl played poorly, Cao beat her. She complained to Duke Xian, who then thrashed Cao with three hundred lashes. In the eighteenth year, Duke Xian invited Sun Wenzi and Ning Huizi for dinner, but when it got dark and he hadn't called for them yet, he went to the garden to shoot wild geese. The two ministers followed him, but Duke Xian did not take off his hunting clothes to speak with them. The two ministers stormed off. Sun Wenzi's son often accompanied Duke Xian to drink and had Cao sing the song's final, sycophantic verse. Cao, still angry about being beaten by Duke Xian, sang this song to goad Sun Wenzi into action against Duke Xian. Sun Wenzi discussed with Qu Boyu, who said, "I'm stumped." So Sun Wenzi and Ning Huizi launched a coup, driving out Duke Xian. Duke Xian fled to Qi, where he was placed in a remote small city. Sun Wenzi and Ning Huizi installed Duke Ding's brother, Qiu, as the new ruler, who became known as Duke Shang.
Wei Shangong held a ceremony in autumn, appointing Sun Linfu to the position of Susu. Twelve years later, Ning Xi and Sun Linfu were vying for the Duke's favor and grew to hate each other, so Shangong sent Ning Xi to attack Sun Linfu. Sun Linfu fled to the state of Jin and then requested to return to the state of Wei to meet with Wei Xianguo. At that time, Duke Xianguo was in the state of Qi. When Duke Jing of Qi heard about this, he and Xianguo went to Jin to request Sun Linfu's return to Wei. Jin then attacked Wei, using this as leverage to force a treaty with Wei. Shangong went to see Pingong of Jin, who captured Shangong and Ning Xi, then allowed Xianguo to return to his country. Xianguo spent twelve years in exile before returning to his country. In his first year in power, he killed Ning Xi. Three years later, Yanling Jizi of Wu passed through Wei and visited Qu Boyu and Shi, saying, "Wei has so many fine gentlemen, and yet nothing much is happening." While passing through Susu, Sun Linfu played music for him, saying, "This music is dreadful, so mournful; Wei is going to be in chaos, that's the reason." That year, Xianguo died, and his son Xiangong succeeded him, but the succession wasn't exactly smooth sailing. In the sixth year of Xiangong's reign, King Ling of Chu convened a meeting of vassals, but Xiangong did not attend due to illness. Nine years later, Xiangong died. Initially, Xiangong had a low-ranking concubine he doted on. She became pregnant and dreamt that someone told her, "I am Uncle Kang; I tell you, your son will definitely become the ruler of Wei in the future, name him 'Yuan'." The concubine was bewildered, so she asked Kong Chengzi. Kong Chengzi said, "Uncle Kang is the ancestor of Wei." When the child was born, a boy, she told Xiangong. Xiangong said, "This is fate." So he named him Yuan. Xiangong's main wife had no sons, so Yuan was named as the heir, who would later become Duke Ling.
During the fifth year of Ling Gong's reign, he went to Jin to visit Jin Zhao Gong. In the sixth year, the son of the Duke of Chu, Qi Ji, killed Chu Ling Wang and became Chu Ping Wang. In the eleventh year, a fire broke out in Wei. In the thirty-eighth year, Confucius arrived in Wei, and Wei Ling Gong gave him the same salary as in Lu. Later, they had a disagreement, and Confucius left Wei. He later returned to Wei.
In the thirty-ninth year, Crown Prince Kuai Kui and Ling Gong's wife, Nan Zi, had a bad relationship, and Kuai Kui wanted to kill Nan Zi. Kuai Kui and his accomplice Xi Yang Shi plotted to kill Nan Zi during a court meeting with Ling Gong. Xi Yang Shi later regretted it and did not act. Kuai Kui kept dropping hints to Xi Yang Shi, and Nan Zi noticed, feeling scared; she shouted, "The Crown Prince is trying to kill me!" Ling Gong was furious, and Crown Prince Kuai Kui fled to Song, later finding refuge with the Zhao family in Jin.
In the spring of 500 BC, Wei Ling Gong went for a day trip to the countryside, taking his youngest son, Zi Ying. Zi Ying, styled Zi Nan. Wei Ling Gong was not happy because Crown Prince Kuai Kui had fled, so he said to Zi Ying, "I intend to appoint you as my heir." Zi Ying replied, "I'm not cut out to be ruler of Wei. Please choose someone else." That summer, Wei Ling Gong passed away. Ling Gong's wife wanted to appoint Zi Ying as the Crown Prince, saying, "This is what Ling Gong wanted." Zi Ying said, "Kuai Kui's son, Ze, is still alive. I dare not accept." Therefore, Wei appointed Ze, the son of Kuai Kui, as the ruler, known as Wei Chu Gong.
On the eighth day of the sixth month, Zhao Jian Zi wanted to bring Kuai Kui back to Wei, so he had Yang Hu fake a Wei order, sending a dozen people in mourning clothes to welcome Kuai Kui back. Zhao Jian Zi personally saw Kuai Kui back to Wei. When the people of Wei heard, they immediately sent troops to intercept him. Kuai Kui was unable to return and had to take refuge in Su Di, while the army of Wei withdrew.
When Duke Wei had been in power for four years, Tian Qi killed the son of Duke Jing, the then-ruler. Eight years later, Bao Zi killed Duke Dao. Confucius came from Chen to Wei. Nine years later, Wenzhi asked Confucius for military strategy advice, but Confucius did not answer him. Later, he was summoned back to Lu. Twelve years later, Kong Yu married the sister of Crown Prince Kuai and had a son named Kui. The Kong family had a slave named Hun Liangfu, who was very handsome. After Wenzhi died, Hun Liangfu became Lady Kui's lover. At that time, Crown Prince Kuai lived in Sudu, and Lady Kui sent Hun Liangfu to see him. The crown prince spoke with Hun Liangfu and said, "If you can help me return to Wei, I will make you a lord, guarantee your safety three times, and ensure that you are not wronged." The two made an oath, and the crown prince also promised to marry Lady Kui. During the leap month, Hun Liangfu and the crown prince secretly returned to Wei and hid in the Kong family's garden. In the dark of night, the two slipped out in cloaks and took a carriage while eunuchs dressed as Kong servants protected them. The old steward of the Kong family, Luan Ning, asked what was going on, and they said they were female relatives of the family, so he let them in. They reached Boji, had a meal, and then Lady Kui led the way, spear in hand, while the crown prince followed with five guards carrying a wild boar. Boji seized Kui in the privy, forced him to swear an oath, and then took him to a high platform. Luan Ning heard the commotion while drinking and waiting for his meat to cook, so he sent someone to report to Zhong You. Zhong You gathered guards, drove a carriage, brought wine and meat, and escorted Duke Wei to Lu.
Zilu (Zhongyou) was about to enter the palace gate of the Wei State when he met Zigao coming out. Zigao said, "The palace gate is already closed!" Zilu replied, "I'll still go in and take a look." Zigao warned, "It's too late; don't go and cause trouble for yourself." Zilu retorted, "I'm not afraid of a little trouble; what's a small matter like this?" Zigao then left. Zilu went in, and when he reached the gate, Gongsun Gan closed the door and said, "Don't come in!" Zilu exclaimed, "You're just looking out for yourself, Gongsun Gan. I'm on the payroll, so I gotta take the heat." At that moment, a messenger came out, allowing Zilu to enter. He advised the Crown Prince, "Why do you want to kill Kong Kui? Even if you kill him, someone else will take his place." He added, "Crown Prince, you're not brave enough. If the city is on fire, you'll definitely abandon Kong Shu."
The Crown Prince freaked out when he heard this, so he sent Shi Qi and Yu Yan to deal with Zilu, using a spear to attack him and cutting off his hat band. Zilu declared, "A true gentleman dies with his honor intact." He re-tied the hat band and then died. When Confucius heard about the internal strife in the Wei State, he sighed and said, "Chai's probably run off, and Zilu's probably dead!" In the end, Kong Kui was still appointed as Crown Prince Kuai, who later became Duke Zhuang of Wei.
Duke Zhuang of Wei, Crown Prince Kuai, was the son of Duke Chu of Wei, who had been living out in the sticks and harbored resentment towards the officials who did not welcome his succession. In his first year of reign, he wanted to kill all the ministers, saying, "I've been away for a long time, you know?" The ministers wanted to rebel, but he stopped them in time. In the second year, Confucius of the State of Lu passed away. In the third year, Duke Zhuang climbed the city tower and saw Rongzhou (a place in the Wei State), saying, "Why are the Rongdi people here?" Rongzhou held a grudge against him for this. In October, Rongzhou complained to Duke Zhao Jian, who then surrounded the Wei State. In November, Duke Zhuang fled, and the people of Wei State appointed Prince Ban Shi as the ruler. Qi attacked Wei, captured Ban Shi, and installed Prince Qi as the new ruler.
In the first year of Prince Wei's reign, Shi Man forced Prince Qi from power, and he fled to the state of Qi. Eventually, Prince Chu returned from Qi and regained his position as ruler. Initially, after ruling for twelve years, Prince Chu fled and returned to the state of Wei after four years away. In the first year of his return, he rewarded his fellow exiles. He ruled as prince for twenty-one years before his death, and his uncle, Prince Qian, killed his son and proclaimed himself ruler, becoming Weidaogong. Weidaogong died after ruling for five years, and his son Jingong did not succeed him. After ruling for nineteen years, Jingong died, and his son Zhaogong succeeded him. At that time, the power of the three Jins (the three successor states of Jin) was strong, and the state of Wei was like a small vassal state, only able to rely on them.
In 624 BC, Zhaogong was killed by Prince Wei, who succeeded him as Huai Gong. Huai Gong ruled for eleven years before being killed by Prince Tuo, who took the throne as Shen Gong. Shen Gong's father was Prince Shi, whose father was Jingong. Shen Gong died after ruling for forty-two years, and his son Shengong became his successor. Shengong ruled for eleven years before his son Chenghou succeeded him.
During Chenghou's eleventh year of rule, Shang Yang went to the state of Qin. Sixteen years later, Wei was demoted to a marquisate, its ruler now styled Weihou. Twenty-nine years later, Chenghou died, and his son Pinghou succeeded him. Pinghou ruled for eight years before his son Sijun took the throne. Sijun ruled for five years, and the state of Wei was downgraded again, renamed Weijun, leaving only Puyang under its control. Forty-two years later, Sijun died, and his son Huaijun succeeded him. Huaijun ruled for thirty-one years, went to pay his respects to the Wei king, and was captured and killed by the state of Wei. Wei then installed Huaijun's brother as Weijun, known as Yuanjun. Yuanjun was related to the king of Wei, which is why Wei installed him as ruler. Yuanjun ruled for fourteen years, and the state of Qin captured the eastern territories of Wei. Qin established a new district called Dongjun, moved the county of Yewang from Wei, and incorporated Puyang into Dongjun. Twenty-five years later, Yuanjun died, and his son, Junjiao, inherited the throne.
Jun Jiao held office for nine years, and when the Qin state unified the country, Qin Shi Huang gave Jun Jiao a post. Twenty-one years later, Qin Er Shi demoted Jun Jiao to a commoner, leading to the end of Wei's sacrifices and its eventual demise.
Sima Qian says: I've read the accounts in the *Shiji*, which mention that Prince Xuan's wife was killed, and his brother Shou died seeking revenge for him. This is similar to the situation where the prince of Jin, Shen Sheng, didn't dare to expose the crimes of Li Ji—all resulting in tragedies because they didn't want to hurt their fathers. However, in the end, they all died, which is a real tragedy! So, fathers and sons fighting, brothers killing brothers—what gives?
