Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Xiahou Wei (courtesy name Jiquan) was an officer and administrator of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. He was the fourth son of the legendary Wei general Xiahou Yuan and the younger brother of Xiahou Ba and Xiahou Wei’s other brothers Xiahou Heng, Xiahou Ba, Xiahou Wei, Xiahou Rong, Xiahou Hui, and Xiahou He. From his youth, Xiahou Wei was known for his heroic demeanor, generous spirit, and broad social connections, associating freely with both military figures and civil scholars regardless of their social standing.
In his early career, Xiahou Wei served as an Attendant at the Imperial Court and later held key military commands, including the positions of Inspector of Yanzhou and Inspector of Jingzhou. Historically, a famous fortune-teller named Zhu Jianping predicted that Xiahou Wei would face a mortal peril at the age of 49, but if he survived past that critical threshold, he would live to reach 70 and hold the grand office of Minister of Works. When Xiahou Wei turned 49, he fell gravely ill on the exact day predicted. Believing his time had come, he arranged his final affairs and held a farewell feast with his family and officers. However, as night fell, his fever subsided, and he recovered fully. Rejoicing that he had cheated death, Xiahou Wei celebrated with his guests, but later that very night, his illness suddenly relapsed and he passed away unexpectedly.
Xiahou Wei’s marriage played a critical role in alliance-building within Wei; he recognized the noble character of the young Yang Hu when others looked down on him, marrying his daughter to Yang Hu. He also had two prominent sons, Xiahou Jun and Xiahou Guan, who served as high officials during the Western Jin dynasty.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Luo Guanzhong’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Xiahou Wei appears alongside his brother Xiahou He as capable military commanders under the leadership of Sima Yi during the defense against Zhuge Liang’s Northern Expeditions. Highly valued for their martial prowess, Xiahou Wei and Xiahou He frequently act as vanguard commanders, executing tactical ambushes, holding strategic passes, and disrupting Shu Han’s supply lines during the fierce clashes at Mount Qi and the Wuzhang Plains.
Xiahou Wei (夏侯威) — Literary Timeline
231 AD
Ambush at Mount Qi
Serves under Sima Yi during the Fourth Northern Expedition; alongside Xiahou He, leads an elite detachment to ambush Shu forces near Mount Qi, engaging Zhuge Liang’s vanguard in fierce battle.
234 AD
Defense at the Wei River
Appointed as vanguard commander by Sima Yi during the Fifth Northern Expedition; guards the bridge and pontoon lines across the Wei River against Shu assaults.
234 AD
Battle of Shangfang Valley
Deployed as part of Sima Yi’s core tactical array to counter Shu’s wooden oxen logistics and hold defensive strongpoints during the standoff at Wuzhang Plains.
Key Relationships
Family
- Xiahou Yuan (夏侯渊, Hạ Hầu Uyên): Father and a foundational general of the Cao Wei state.
- Xiahou Ba (夏侯霸, Hạ Hầu Bá): Older brother who served Cao Wei before his eventual defection to Shu Han.
- Xiahou Hui (夏侯惠, Hạ Hầu Huệ): Younger brother who served as a high-ranking official in Cao Wei.
- Xiahou He (夏侯和, Hạ Hầu Hòa): Younger brother and military colleague who frequently served alongside him in western campaigns.
- Xiahou Jun (夏侯骏, Hạ Hầu Tuấn): Son who rose to prominence as an official during the Western Jin dynasty.
- Xiahou Guan (夏侯纂, Hạ Hầu Toản): Son who served as a high-ranking official during the Western Jin dynasty.
- Yang Hu (羊祜, Dương Hỗ): Son-in-law; Xiahou Wei recognized his potential early and married his daughter to him.
Friends
- Sima Yi (司马懿, Tư Mã Ý): Commander-in-chief under whom Xiahou Wei served during the defense against the Northern Expeditions.
- Guo Huai (郭淮, Quách Hoài): Senior commander in the western regions who collaborated with Xiahou Wei during the defense against Shu Han.
Enemies
- Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng): Prime Minister of Shu Han and the primary antagonist during the Northern Expeditions where Xiahou Wei served as a vanguard.
- Jiang Wei (姜维, Khương Duy): Shu Han strategist and commander who frequently engaged Wei forces during the campaigns at Mount Qi and Wuzhang Plains.
Other
- Zhu Jianping (朱建平, Chu Kiến Bình): A famous fortune-teller who accurately predicted the timing of Xiahou Wei’s mortal illness and death.
In Novel
Chapter 107
- Xiahou Wei (夏侯威, Hạ Hầu Uy): Xiahou Wei is a member of the Xiahou clan appearing in the later Wei political and military establishment. His role is minor in the novel and he does not receive an independent major battle sequence.
In History
Summary
- Xiahou Wei (夏侯威, Hạ Hầu Uy), courtesy name Jingquan (季权), was a Wei general and member of the Xiahou family.
- He was a younger brother of Xiahou Yuan’s son Xiahou Ba and belonged to the extended military family surrounding the Cao clan.
Military Career
- Xiahou Wei served as a military commander in Wei and held provincial commands during the later Three Kingdoms period.
- He was active during the period of conflict between Wei and Shu and was involved in the defense of Wei’s western territories.
Historical Record
- Xiahou Wei was a historical figure. His career is recorded in the Wei biographies of the Xiahou family.
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