Dian Wei

Dian Wei
A Qing dynasty portrait of Dian Wei.
Military officer of Cao Cao
Born	(Unknown)
Died	197
Names
Traditional Chinese	典韋
Simplified Chinese	典韦
Pinyin	Diǎn Wěi
Wade–Giles	Tien Wei

Dian Wei (died 197) was a military officer serving under the warlord Cao Cao in the late Eastern Han dynasty. Famed for his enormous strength, Dian Wei excelled at wielding a pair of jis (a halberd-like weapon), each of which was said to weigh 40 jin. He was killed in action at the Battle of Wancheng while covering Cao Cao's escape from Zhang Xiu's forces.

Dian Wei was from Jiwu County (己吾縣), Chenliu Commandery (陳留郡), which is in present-day Ningling County, Henan. He was described as a stalwart man with great strength, and he had the ambition of becoming a youxia.

When he was young, Dian Wei once agreed to help a certain Liu family in Xiangyi (襄邑) take revenge by killing Li Yong (李永), a man from Suiyang (睢陽). Li Yong was formerly the Chief (長) of Fuchun County (富春縣), and he was very cautious about his personal protection. Dian Wei disguised himself as a marquis and travelled to Li Yong's house in a carriage filled with food and wine. He entered the house without challenge, stabbed Li with a concealed dagger, and killed Li's wife as well. He then left the house and retrieved his weapons (a sword and a ji) from the carriage and walked away. As Li Yong lived near the marketplace, news of his death spread quickly and the whole town was shocked. Hundreds of men went to pursue the murderer but none of them dared to approach Dian Wei. After travelling four or five li on foot, Dian Wei met his companions and they escaped after a brief fight with the pursuers. Dian Wei became recognised as a hero after that incident.

In 189, when the regional official Zhang Miao was rallying an army to join the campaign against Dong Zhuo, Dian Wei answered the call and became a subordinate of Zhao Chong (趙寵), a Major (司馬) in Zhang Miao's force. Once, a large banner was swaying in the strong wind and many men could not stop it from swaying despite their combined efforts. Dian Wei used only one hand to grab the banner pole and succeeded in keeping it upright. Zhao Chong was very impressed with Dian Wei's strength.