King Hui of Wei

King Hui of Wei (simplified Chinese and traditional Chinese: 魏惠王), 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 Confucian Mencius.

References

Cambridge History of Ancient China, 1999, page 618.

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