Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Shisun Wei (士孙威, Sĩ Tôn Uy) was a nobleman and official during the late Han dynasty and Cao Wei transition. He belonged to the prominent Shisun clan of Pingling in Youfufeng. He was the son of Shisun Rui (士孙瑞), the courageous Minister of Justice (Tingwei) who collaborated with Wang Yun and Lu Bu to overthrow the tyrant Dong Zhuo in 192 AD.
When the remnant forces of Li Jue and Guo Si ravaged Chang’an and pursued the fleeing imperial court in 195 AD, Shisun Rui was martyred while protecting Emperor Xian (Liu Xie). Years later, recognizing Shisun Rui’s loyalty and supreme sacrifice for the Han dynasty, Cao Cao recommended imperial honors for the clan, officially enfeoffing Shisun Wei as the Marquis of Jinxiang (津乡亭侯) with generous revenues and court honors.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Chapter 9 (The Plot Against Dong Zhuo): Shisun Rui and Wang Yun drafted the secret decrees that brought down Dong Zhuo, establishing the heroic legacy that safeguarded their descendants.
Shisun Wei — Historical & Literary Timeline
c. 180 AD
Upbringing in Fufeng
Born to Shisun Rui, educated in classical scholarship and Confucian law in Guanzhong.
195 AD
Sacrifice of Shisun Rui
His father died protecting Emperor Xian during the imperial flight eastward from Chang’an.
c. 210 AD
Enfeoffment as Marquis of Jinxiang
Granted hereditary marquisate and noble stipend by Cao Cao in honor of his father’s supreme loyalty.
Key Relationships
Family
- Shisun Rui (士孙瑞, Sĩ Tôn Thụy) — Father; Han Minister of Justice and hero of the anti-Dong Zhuo coalition.
- Shisun Fen (士孙奋) — Ancestor; Eminent scholar and statesman of the Western Han dynasty.
Friends / Allies
- Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo) — Chancellor of Han who petitioned Emperor Xian to reward the righteous heirs of Shisun Rui.
- Emperor Xian of Han (Liu Xie) — Sovereign who granted the Jinxiang Marquisate in remembrance of Shisun Rui’s martyrdom.
Enemies / Rivals
- Li Jue & Guo Si — Warlords whose brutal mutiny resulted in the death of his father.
- Dong Zhuo Faction — Corrupt military clique opposed by the Shisun family.
Other
- Guanzhong Scholars — The scholarly circle of Fufeng who preserved legal tradition.
In Novel
Chapter 9 (The plot against the tyrant)
- Shisun Wei (士孙威, Sĩ Tôn Uy): Honoring his father’s unyielding righteousness, Shisun Wei carried the name of the Jinxiang Marquisate with quiet nobility.
In History
Summary
- Shisun Wei (士孙威) was the son of Shisun Rui. Enfeoffed as the Marquis of Jinxiang by Cao Cao to honor his father’s valor in protecting the Han emperor.
Year: c. 180–240 AD
- Inherited the noble titles and honored standing of the Shisun clan in Guanzhong and the Cao Wei court.
Historical Record
- Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi), Vol. 6 (Biography of Dong Zhuo, quoting Xian Di Zhuan): Cao Cao memorialized Shisun Rui’s loyalty, leading to Shisun Wei being enfeoffed as Marquis of Jinxiang.