| Duke Yi of Wey 衛懿公 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
_por_Ku_K%2527ai-chih_-_Duque_Yi_de_Wey.jpg) Painting of Duke Yi.Song dynasty copy of an original 4th century painting byGu Kaizhi. | |||||
| Ruler ofWey | |||||
| Reign | 668 - 660 BC | ||||
| Predecessor | Qianmou | ||||
| Successor | Duke Dai | ||||
| Born | Chi (赤) | ||||
| Died | 660 BC | ||||
| |||||
| Father | Duke Hui of Wey | ||||
Duke Yi of Wey (Chinese:衛懿公;pinyin:Wèi Yì Gōng, died 660 BC), given nameChi (赤), was aZhou dynasty feudal lord and the 18th ruler ofWey. He was best known for his absurd lifestyle which led to a temporary fall of his state and to his death.
Chi was the son ofDuke Hui of Wey. He succeeded his father in the year of 668 BCE. TheRecords of the Grand Historian andZuo Zhuan recorded that Duke Yi was an enthusiast ofcrane breeding. He was so fond of this type of bird that whenDi people invaded his country, he sent off cranes to fight on the battlefield in the hope of a victory over the invaders.[1] He led the army himself and fought the Di people in the battle of Yingze. In the end, the duke was defeated.[2]
In the winter of 660 BCE, Di people destroyed the defense of Wey army and ruined the city ofChaoge; today'sQi county ofHenan Province. Duke Yi was killed.[1][2]
After Duke Yi's death,Duke Huan of Qi built a city in Chuqiu for Duke Yi's successorDuke Dai. The state's lifespan was prolonged thanks to Duke Huan.
His death marked the end of Wey's existence in Chaoge, the city whichShu Feng of Kang received from his brotherDuke Zhou.