Wei Long (韦隆, simplified: 韦隆, traditional: 韋隆, pinyin: Wéi Lóng) was the son of Wei Yao (韦曜, 204–273 CE), a prominent historian and scholar-official of Eastern Wu. Wei Long is noted in the Records of the Three Kingdoms for possessing literary talent (有文才). His life was upended in 273 CE when his father was executed by the tyrannical emperor Sun Hao, and Wei Long was among the family members exiled to Lingling.
Biography
Background
Wei Long was born to Wei Yao, originally named Wei Zhao (韦昭), one of the most distinguished scholars of the Eastern Wu state. Wei Yao served as a historian and court academician under Sun Quan, Sun Liang, Sun Xiu, and Sun Hao. He was responsible for compiling the official history of Wu and was renowned for his learning and integrity.
Wei Long inherited his father’s literary talents. The Sanguozhi notes that he ‘had literary ability’ (有文才), suggesting that he was educated and skilled in composition. The scholarly tradition of the Wei family would have provided him with access to some of the finest intellectual resources of the era.
Wei Yao’s career and downfall
Wei Yao’s career spanned the reigns of four Wu emperors. Under Sun Quan, he served as a court academician and participated in the compilation of the state history. Under Sun Liang and Sun Xiu, he continued his scholarly work. When Sun Hao came to the throne in 264 CE, Wei Yao was initially retained and given important positions, including Minister of the Secretariat (中书仆射) and Director of the Left Section of the Palace Library (左国史).
However, Wei Yao’s commitment to historical accuracy eventually brought him into conflict with Sun Hao. The emperor ordered Wei Yao to compose the reign record of his predecessor Sun He (孙和) in the format of ‘Basic Annals’ (本纪) — the section of a dynastic history reserved for emperors. Wei Yao refused, arguing that Sun He had never actually reigned as emperor and that his record should not be accorded the status of imperial annals.
This defiance infuriated Sun Hao, who already resented Wei Yao’s frank criticism of his own behaviour. In 273 CE, Wei Yao was imprisoned and subsequently executed. He was 70 years old at the time of his death.
Exile
Following Wei Yao’s execution, his family was exiled to Lingling Commandery (零陵郡, in modern Hunan). Wei Long, along with his family members, was sent into exile. The sources do not record what happened to Wei Long during or after the exile. He may have remained in Lingling for the rest of his life, or he may have been pardoned and allowed to return after Sun Hao’s reign ended with the fall of Wu to Jin in 280 CE.
The fall of Wu in 280 CE — just seven years after Wei Yao’s execution — would have freed Wei Long and other exiled families from their banishment. The Jin conquest brought an end to the Sun family’s rule and, with it, the persecutions that had characterised Sun Hao’s reign.
Literary significance
Wei Yao was one of the most important historians and literary figures of the Eastern Wu state. His works included the official history of Wu (which was later incorporated into the Sanguozhi) and numerous scholarly compositions. The fact that Wei Long was noted for his literary talent suggests that he may have continued his father’s intellectual legacy, though none of his works are known to have survived.
Wei Yao’s refusal to falsify the historical record at Sun Hao’s command has made him a symbol of scholarly integrity in Chinese historiography. His story is often cited as an example of the moral courage required of historians.
Historical sources
Wei Long is mentioned in the Sanguozhi (Records of the Three Kingdoms), in the biography of his father Wei Yao (Book 65, ‘Wu Shu 20’). The reference is brief, noting only his literary talent and his status as Wei Yao’s son.
The detailed account of Wei Yao’s career and execution provides the context for understanding Wei Long’s life and the circumstances of his exile.
See also
External links
References
- Chen Shou. Sanguozhi (三国志). 3rd century.
- Pei Songzhi. Sanguozhi annotations. 5th century.