Li Wei (mandarin)
Encyclopedia
Li Wei was a famous mandarin
during the reign of the Yongzheng Emperor
(1722–1735) of the Qing Dynasty
, who was instrumental in carrying out Yongzheng's nationwide reforms in his role in various regional governing positions.
Li was a native of Tongshan
, Jiangnan
(present-day Xuzhou
, Jiangsu
), and was orphaned at the age of 10. He was not literate, but learned martial arts
. He entered the Board of Finance as a regular accountant in 1719. After Yongzheng ascended the throne, he became the Governor of Zhejiang in 1727, where he carried out the policy of "returning soldiers to farms". In 1729, in a swift act, Li Wei led the efforts to stamp out Ming Dynasty
-loyalists present in the Nanjing
area. He was appointed the Viceroy of Zhili
in 1732. Along with Tian Wenjing and Manchu Ortai, Li was one of the Emperor's most trusted officials. In September 1738, while visiting Qinling tombs with the Qianlong Emperor
, Li Wei fell ill with a lung infection, and died at the age of 52. The Emperor commemorated Li.
are based, albeit very loosely, on the life of Li Wei. These include Yongzheng Dynasty and Li Wei the Official.
Mandarin (bureaucrat)
A mandarin was a bureaucrat in imperial China, and also in the monarchist days of Vietnam where the system of Imperial examinations and scholar-bureaucrats was adopted under Chinese influence.-History and use of the term:...
during the reign of the Yongzheng Emperor
Yongzheng Emperor
The Yongzheng Emperor , born Yinzhen , was the fifth emperor of the Manchu Qing Dynasty and the third Qing emperor from 1722 to 1735. A hard-working ruler, Yongzheng's main goal was to create an effective government at minimal expense. Like his father, the Kangxi Emperor, Yongzheng used military...
(1722–1735) of the Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
, who was instrumental in carrying out Yongzheng's nationwide reforms in his role in various regional governing positions.
Li was a native of Tongshan
Tongshan
Tongshan may refer to:* Tongshan County, Hubei , of Xianning, Hubei, China* Tongshan District , formerly Tongshan County, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China**Tongshan Town, Xuzhou , town in Tongshan District...
, Jiangnan
Jiangnan
Jiangnan or Jiang Nan is a geographic area in China referring to lands immediately to the south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, including the southern part of the Yangtze Delta...
(present-day Xuzhou
Xuzhou
Xuzhou , otherwise known as Pengcheng in ancient times, is a major city in and the fourth largest prefecture-level city of Jiangsu province, People's Republic of China...
, Jiangsu
Jiangsu
' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country. The name comes from jiang, short for the city of Jiangning , and su, for the city of Suzhou. The abbreviation for this province is "苏" , the second character of its name...
), and was orphaned at the age of 10. He was not literate, but learned martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
. He entered the Board of Finance as a regular accountant in 1719. After Yongzheng ascended the throne, he became the Governor of Zhejiang in 1727, where he carried out the policy of "returning soldiers to farms". In 1729, in a swift act, Li Wei led the efforts to stamp out Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
-loyalists present in the Nanjing
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
area. He was appointed the Viceroy of Zhili
Viceroy of Zhili
The Viceroy of Zhili , fully referred to as the Governor General of Zhili and surrounding areas; Overseeing Military Affairs, Food Production; Manager of Waterways; Director of Civil Affairs , was one of eight regional viceroys in China proper during the Qing Dynasty of China...
in 1732. Along with Tian Wenjing and Manchu Ortai, Li was one of the Emperor's most trusted officials. In September 1738, while visiting Qinling tombs with the Qianlong Emperor
Qianlong Emperor
The Qianlong Emperor was the sixth emperor of the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty, and the fourth Qing emperor to rule over China proper. The fourth son of the Yongzheng Emperor, he reigned officially from 11 October 1735 to 8 February 1796...
, Li Wei fell ill with a lung infection, and died at the age of 52. The Emperor commemorated Li.
Popular culture
Several TV seriesTV series (China)
Chinese television drama are similar to television drama in North America, but are often longer in length, and portray a story too lengthy to be made into a movie....
are based, albeit very loosely, on the life of Li Wei. These include Yongzheng Dynasty and Li Wei the Official.