Wen Hui 溫恢 Manji 曼基

Contents

Biography

Early life

Wen Hui was from Qi County, Taiyuan (in present-day Shanxi). His courtesy name was Manji.

His father Wen Shu served as Administrator of Zhuojun under the Eastern Han. When Wen Shu died, Wen Hui was fifteen. He escorted his father’s coffin home. The family had some savings, but Wen Hui believed that in a disordered age one should not simply remain a local rich household; he distributed the family wealth to aid his kinsmen and neighbours. The province praised him, comparing his conduct to that of Xun Yue of the Western Han.

He was recommended as Filial and Incorrupt and served as Magistrate of Lincheng, then Magistrate of Yanling, Magistrate of Guangchuan, Chancellor of Pengcheng, and Chancellor of Lu State. In each post he performed well and was admired.

Under Cao Cao

Wen Hui later became Chief Clerk to the Chancellor and was deeply trusted by Cao Cao. Because he was versed in military affairs, he was sent out as Inspector of Yang Province. Before he left, Cao Cao said that he would have liked to keep Wen Hui at his side, but the needs of Yang Province came first; he cited the Documents on good ministers and good governance and therefore had Jiang Ji serve as Wen Hui’s Biejia (Jiang Ji was then Administrator of Danyang). Cao Cao also instructed the veteran generals Zhang Liao, Yue Jin, and others that the Inspector of Yang Province was well versed in military matters and that they must discuss all affairs with him.

Sun Li and the Fancheng prediction

While Wen Hui was Chief Clerk, he admired Sun Li’s conduct. Before Sun Li took office, he had been separated from his mother during local unrest; a fellow-countryman Ma Tai had saved her and reunited them. Sun Li gave Ma Tai all his family property in gratitude. Later Ma Tai was implicated in a case and faced execution. Sun Li, then an Army Adviser in the Minister over the Masses’ office, used his position to help Ma Tai escape but would not flee himself; he went to Wen Hui and surrendered. Wen Hui understood that Sun Li had acted from righteousness, reported the matter to Cao Cao, and both Sun Li and Ma Tai had their death sentences reduced.

In 219, when Sun Quan led troops to attack Hefei, Wen Hui both garrisoned and prepared defences and said to Pei Qian, Inspector of Yan Province: “There are bandits in this region, but they are nothing to fear. I am more worried that the General Who Conquers the South [Cao Ren] may meet with something unexpected. The river is rising and Zixiao [Cao Ren] is defending the city without having made deep preparations. Guan Yu has always been known for his ferocity; if he takes advantage of the high water to advance, he will be a serious threat.” Guan Yu did indeed attack Fancheng and put Cao Ren’s army in dire straits.

Cao Cao had ordered Pei Qian and the Inspector of Yu Province Lü Gong to lead their troops to the front. Pei Qian assumed it was a routine summons and was slow to prepare. Wen Hui spoke to him in private: “From the present situation, the court must already know that Xiangyang is in emergency and wants you to set out at once. The reason they have not sent an urgent order is so as not to alarm the other garrisons. Within a few days you will certainly receive a secret letter urging you to advance quickly, and Zhang Liao and the other generals will also be summoned. They have long followed the Lord and will understand his intent. If their armies reach the battlefield before yours when you had the order first, you will be held responsible.” Pei Qian believed him, put the baggage in order, and had the troops set out in light order. Soon the secret urgent order arrived and Zhang Liao and the others were indeed summoned—exactly as Wen Hui had said.

Death

When Cao Pi became emperor, Wen Hui was made Palace Attendant and then transferred to Administrator of Wei Commandery. In 223, when the former Inspector of Liang Province Zhang Ji died, Cao Pi appointed Wen Hui to succeed him and to serve as Protector of the Qiang. Wen Hui fell ill on the journey and died at the age of forty-five.

The court issued an edict: “Wen Hui had the quality of a pillar of the state. He served the late Emperor with clear merit and diligence. When he served Us, he was loyal to the royal house, and We therefore gave him a post in the provinces and the responsibility for one region. That his work was not completed We deeply mourn.” Wen Hui’s son Wen Sheng was granted the title Marquis Within the Passes. Wen Sheng died young and the marquisate was not continued.

Historical evaluations

Cao Pi praised him as having “the quality of a pillar of the state” and “clear merit and diligence” in serving Cao Cao.
Chen Shou grouped the early Wei provincial governors (including Wen Hui) as those who “understood the moment and combined authority with kindness” and “could bring order to the realm.”
Liu Xianxin listed Wen Hui with Liu Fu (Yang), Liang Xi (Bing), Zhang Ji (Yong/Liang), and Jia Kui (Yu) as governors whose achievements were especially notable.

References

Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 15, Biographies of Liu Fu, Sima Lang, Liang Xi, Zhang Ji, Wen Hui, and Jia Kui
Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 24, Biography of Sun Li