Biography
Early life
Dian Wei was born in Jiwu County, Chenliu Commandery (present-day Ningling County, Henan).
He was described as having a heroic appearance and extraordinary strength.
He had great ambition and integrity and was chivalrous by nature.
Avenging Liu Shi
At that time, Liu Shi of Xiangyi and Li Yong of Suiyang had a feud.
Dian Wei wanted to avenge Liu Shi.
However, Li Yong was Magistrate of Fuchun, and his defences were very strict.
Dian Wei therefore loaded a cart with chickens and wine and disguised himself as a merchant waiting for someone.
When the gate opened, Dian Wei took out a dagger from his bosom and rushed in to kill Li Yong and his wife.
He then slowly walked out, took the knives and halberds from the cart, and fled on foot.
The escape
Because Li Yong’s residence was near the market, the entire market was shocked.
Although several hundred people pursued Dian Wei, none dared to approach.
Dian Wei travelled four or five li and encountered Li Yong’s companions.
They fought.
Soon after, Dian Wei escaped.
From then on, many heroes knew his name.
Service under Zhang Miao
During the Chuping era (190-193), Zhang Miao, Administrator of Chenliu, raised troops.
Dian Wei joined the army as a soldier.
He was under Zhao Chong, Army Adviser.
Lifting the gate flag
The army’s gate flag was long and large.
No one could lift it.
Dian Wei lifted it with one hand.
Zhao Chong was amazed at his ability and strength.
Service under Cao Cao
In 190 CE, the first year of Chuping, Zhang Miao campaigned against Dong Zhuo but was defeated.
Dian Wei gained the appreciation of Xiahou Dun, a great general under Cao Cao.
He transferred to Xiahou Dun’s command.
He followed Xiahou Dun in various campaigns.
He cut off many enemy heads and achieved merit.
He was appointed Army Adviser.
The Battle of Puyang
In 194 CE, the first year of Xingping, Cao Cao and Lü Bu fought at Puyang.
Lü Bu’s separate troops stationed at a place four or five tens of li west of Puyang.
Cao Cao went to attack their camp at night.
The next morning, he broke through.
The Cao army had not yet returned in time when Lü Bu’s reinforcements arrived.
The two sides fought on three sides.
The charge
At that time, Lü Bu personally engaged in hand-to-hand combat.
From morning until sunset, the two sides fought several tens of rounds.
The situation was very urgent.
Cao Cao temporarily recruited men to break through the enemy formation.
Dian Wei was the first to respond.
He also led several tens of other volunteers.
They all wore two layers of armour and abandoned large shields.
They all only held long spears and halberds.
The battle
At the same time, the western battle situation was urgent.
Dian Wei charged forward to block the enemy.
Lü Bu’s army shot arrows randomly.
Arrows fell like rain.
Dian Wei ignored them and said to his followers: “When the enemy comes within ten paces, tell me.”
Soon after, his followers said: “Ten paces.”
Dian Wei said again: “Tell me again when they are within five paces.”
His followers were afraid and immediately said: “The enemy has arrived.”
Dian Wei held more than ten small halberds.
He roared and stood up.
He threw halberds at the enemy and stabbed them.
Those he hit all fell immediately.
The victory
After fighting for a long time, Lü Bu’s army withdrew.
It was dusk.
Cao Cao was able to lead his army away.
Appointment as bodyguard
Cao Cao appointed Dian Wei as Commandant and placed him at his side.
He had him lead several hundred personal troops.
They often patrolled around the great tent.
Dian Wei was later promoted to Commandant.
Characteristics
Dian Wei was strong and brave.
The men he led were all selected elite troops.
In every battle, they were often the first to break through enemy formations.
Dian Wei’s personality was loyal, cautious, and steady.
He often stood guard at Cao Cao’s side all day.
At night, he slept near Cao Cao’s tent and rarely returned to his own residence.
Love of food and drink
Dian Wei loved food and drink.
He ate and drank twice as much as others.
Every time Cao Cao gave him food and drink, he always indulged.
The attendants had to serve him one after another.
Several people were needed to supply him.
Cao Cao considered him very heroic.
Weapons
Dian Wei liked to use large double halberds and long knives.
The hand halberds he held were nearly one xun long.
The army made up a saying about him: “Under the tent, there is a strong man named Dian. He carries a pair of halberds weighing eighty jin.”
The Battle of Wancheng
In 197 CE, the second year of Jian’an, Cao Cao campaigned south against Zhang Xiu at Wancheng.
Zhang Xiu welcomed him and surrendered.
Cao Cao was very happy and invited Zhang Xiu and his generals to a great banquet together.
Guarding the banquet
When Cao Cao served wine, Dian Wei held a large axe and stood behind him.
The axe blade was more than one chi in diameter.
Wherever Cao Cao went, Dian Wei raised the axe and glared.
The banquet lasted until the end.
Zhang Xiu and his generals all did not dare to look up.
Zhang Xiu’s rebellion
More than ten days later, Zhang Xiu learned that Cao Cao intended to kill him.
He led troops and rebelled.
He launched a surprise attack on Cao Cao’s camp.
Cao Cao was caught unprepared.
He fought but was unfavourable.
He therefore led light cavalry and fled.
The last stand
Dian Wei fought at the gate.
Zhang Xiu’s army could not enter.
Zhang Xiu’s army therefore divided and entered through other gates.
At that time, Dian Wei’s subordinate officers and soldiers, more than ten men, all fought to the death.
Each fought one against ten.
The final battle
However, Zhang Xiu’s army came in waves, gathering more and more.
Dian Wei used long halberds to attack left and right.
With one halberd strike, he broke more than ten spears of Zhang Xiu’s army.
Later, Dian Wei’s left and right were almost all dead or wounded.
Dian Wei himself also received several tens of wounds.
The two sides engaged in close combat.
Zhang Xiu’s army wanted to capture him alive.
Dian Wei used both arms to hold two of Zhang Xiu’s soldiers and killed them.
The rest of Zhang Xiu’s army did not dare to approach.
Death
Dian Wei charged forward again and attacked Zhang Xiu’s army.
He killed several people.
His wounds worsened.
Dian Wei glared and cursed and died.
Zhang Xiu’s army then dared to come forward.
They cut off Dian Wei’s head and passed it around to look at.
The entire army came to look at his body.
Cao Cao’s grief
Cao Cao retreated to Wuyin.
When he learned that Dian Wei had died, he wept bitterly.
He said to the various generals: “I have lost my eldest son (Cao Ang) and my beloved nephew (Cao Anmin), and I did not feel grief. But I only weep bitterly for Dian Wei’s death.”
Burial and honours
Later, Cao Cao retrieved Dian Wei’s body.
He wept bitterly facing Dian Wei’s body.
He buried him at Xiangyi.
Every time Cao Cao passed by his burial place, he used sacrificial animals to pay respects to Dian Wei.
Posthumous honours
Cao Cao promoted Dian Man, Dian Wei’s son, to Gentleman of the Palace.
Later, Cao Cao remembered Dian Wei and promoted Dian Man to Army Adviser.
He brought him into the palace guard.
After Cao Pi succeeded to the throne as King of Wei, he made Dian Man Commandant and granted him the rank of Marquis Within the Passes.
In the seventh month of 243 CE, the fourth year of Zhengshi, Dian Wei was honoured to be enshrined in Cao Cao’s temple together with Xiahou Yuan, Cao Hong, Cao Xiu, Cao Zhen, Zhang Liao, Yue Jin, Zhang He, Xu Huang, Zhu Ling, Zhong Yao, Hua Xin, Wang Lang, Huan Jie, Chen Qun, Li Dian, Zang Ba, Wen Pin, Xu Chu, and Pang De.
Personality
Dian Wei was described as having “a heroic appearance and extraordinary strength.”
He was known for his great strength and loyalty.
He was loyal, cautious, and steady.
He loved food and drink and was very heroic.
Military achievements
Avenging Liu Shi
Dian Wei successfully avenged Liu Shi by killing Li Yong and his wife.
The Battle of Puyang
Dian Wei successfully charged the enemy formation and threw halberds, helping Cao Cao escape.
Defence at Wancheng
Dian Wei successfully defended the gate at Wancheng, allowing Cao Cao to escape.
Relationships
With Cao Cao
Dian Wei served as Cao Cao’s bodyguard and died protecting him.
Cao Cao wept bitterly for his death and compared him to Fan Kuai.
With Xiahou Dun
Dian Wei served under Xiahou Dun and gained his appreciation.
With Zhang Xiu
Dian Wei guarded Cao Cao at the banquet, intimidating Zhang Xiu and his generals.
Anecdotes
Avenging Liu Shi
Dian Wei disguised himself as a merchant and killed Li Yong and his wife, then escaped.
Lifting the gate flag
Dian Wei lifted the army’s gate flag with one hand, amazing Zhao Chong.
The charge at Puyang
Dian Wei charged the enemy formation, threw halberds, and helped Cao Cao escape.
Guarding the banquet
Dian Wei held a large axe and glared at Zhang Xiu and his generals, intimidating them.
The last stand
Dian Wei fought at the gate, holding two enemy soldiers and killing them, allowing Cao Cao to escape.
Achievements
- Successfully avenged Liu Shi
- Successfully helped Cao Cao escape at Puyang
- Successfully defended Cao Cao at Wancheng
- Known for great strength and loyalty
Behind the scenes
Historical sources
Dian Wei’s biography appears in the Records of the Three Kingdoms by Chen Shou, grouped with Li Dian, Li Tong, Zang Ba, Wen Pin, Lü Qian, Xu Chu, Pang De, Pang Yu, and Yan Wen.
The name Ancient E Lai
In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Dian Wei is called “Ancient E Lai,” comparing him to E Lai, a strong man who served King Zhou of Shang.
Comparison to Fan Kuai
Cao Cao compared Dian Wei to Fan Kuai, showing his importance as a bodyguard.
Enshrinement
Dian Wei was honoured to be enshrined in Cao Cao’s temple in 243 CE, showing his importance to the Wei dynasty.
Historical evaluations
Contemporary
Cao Cao said: “I have lost my eldest son and my beloved nephew, and I did not feel grief. But I only weep bitterly for Dian Wei’s death.”
The Cao army soldiers said: “Under the tent, there is a strong man named Dian. He carries a pair of halberds weighing eighty jin.”
Later historians
Chen Shou wrote: “Xu Chu and Dian Wei protected the left and right. They were also the Fan Kuai of the Han.”
Pan Mei wrote: “Dian Wei was heroic, brave, and loyal. He was not inferior to Zhang Liao and Xu Chu.”
Mao Zonggang wrote: “Dead Dian Wei was enough to resist the living enemy army.”
Legacy
Dian Wei is remembered as Cao Cao’s loyal bodyguard who died protecting him.
His great strength and loyalty are praised.
His last stand at Wancheng is famous.
Timeline
- 2nd century CE: Born in Jiwu County, Chenliu Commandery
- ?: Avenged Liu Shi; killed Li Yong and his wife; escaped
- 190 CE: Joined Zhang Miao’s army; served under Zhao Chong; lifted gate flag with one hand; transferred to Xiahou Dun after Zhang Miao’s defeat; followed Xiahou Dun in campaigns; cut off many enemy heads; appointed Army Adviser
- 194 CE: Participated in Battle of Puyang; charged enemy formation; threw halberds; helped Cao Cao escape; appointed Commandant; placed at Cao Cao’s side; led several hundred personal troops; promoted to Commandant
- 197 CE: Followed Cao Cao in campaigning against Zhang Xiu at Wancheng; guarded banquet; held large axe; intimidated Zhang Xiu and his generals; Zhang Xiu rebelled; fought at gate; defended Cao Cao; killed many enemies; held two enemy soldiers; died protecting Cao Cao; buried at Xiangyi
- 243 CE: Honoured to be enshrined in Cao Cao’s temple
See also
References
- Chen Shou. Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 18, Biography of Li, Li, Zang, Wen, Lü, Xu, Dian, Er Pang, Yan.
- Luo Guanzhong. Romance of the Three Kingdoms, various chapters.