| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 魏安釐王, 魏安釐王, Wèi Ānxī Wáng |
| Other name | Ngụy An Ly Vương |
| INFORMATION | |
| Born | c. 310 BC |
| Birth Place | Daliang, State of Wei (魏国大梁; Đại Lương, nước Ngụy) |
| Died | 243 BC |
| Death Reason | Illness |
| FAMILY | |
| Relatives | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | State of Wei |
King Anxi of Wei (魏安釐王, Ngụy An Ly vương; personal name Wei Yu 魏圉; reigned 276–243 BC), was the monarch of the State of Wei during the turbulent late Warring States period, son of King Zhao of Wei (King Zhao of Wei) and elder brother of the legendary Lord Xinling (Lord Xinling / Wei Wuji).
Reigning for thirty-four years under the shadow of Qin’s relentless eastward aggression, King Anxi’s court was immortalized by the dramatic rescue of Handan in 257 BC. When Qin encircled the Zhao capital following the Changping massacre, King Anxi hesitated to send aid out of terror of Qin. Lord Xinling, assisted by King Anxi’s beloved Consort Ru, stole the royal tiger tally from the King’s bedchamber, slew general Jin Bi, and led Wei’s army to liberate Handan. Though initially furious at his brother’s insubordination, King Anxi later reconciled with Lord Xinling, appointing him Supreme Commander to lead the Five-State Coalition that routed Qin at the Yellow River in 247 BC.
Role in History (Shiji)
Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji, vol. 77, Biography of Lord Xinling): “Lord Xinling stole the tally and saved Zhao; King Anxi was enraged yet in awe. When Qin struck again, the King wept and summoned Lord Xinling home, entrusting him with the supreme seal of the army.”
King Anxi of Wei — Historical & Literary Timeline
276 BC
Accession in Daliang
Succeeds King Zhao of Wei.
257 BC
The Stolen Tiger Tally
Lord Xinling steals the tiger tally and rescues Handan from Qin.
247 BC
The Victory of the Five States
Reconciles with Lord Xinling; allied armies route Qin at the Yellow River.
243 BC
Passing in Daliang
Dies in Daliang alongside Lord Xinling; succeeded by King Jingmin.
Key Relationships
Family
- Brother Lord Xinling (魏无忌, Ngụy Vô Kỵ): Paramount hero of the Four Lords who repeatedly saved Wei.
- Father King Zhao of Wei: Preceding monarch.
- Son King Jingmin of Wei (魏景湣王): Successor king.
Friends
- Beloved Consort Consort Ru (如姬): Consort who stole the tiger tally for Lord Xinling.
Enemies
- Qin Aggressors King Zhaoxiang of Qin, Meng Ao: Invading western armies.
- Sycophant Official Guan Jing (管敬): Slandered Lord Xinling.
Other
- Allied Ruler King Xiaocheng of Zhao: Ruler of Zhao saved by Wei’s intervention.
In Shiji
"A king torn between fear of Qin and love for his heroic brother; his reign preserved Daliang through antiquity's fiercest sieges."
Historical Context
King Anxi's reign demonstrated how coalition warfare led by charismatic lords like Lord Xinling could temporarily stall Qin's march toward total conquest.
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