Ministers › Diplomat / Envoy
Wei Lu
Han envoy of Hu descent who defected to the Xiongnu, became King of Dingling and pressed Su Wu to surrender.
On a road beside a desert gateway, a camel train carries a lidded chest and rolled bundles while travellers walk along the path; a large sailing ship lies in the harbour at the right, a stone waymark stands by the road, and dunes and mountains fill the distance.
Also known as King of Dingling
- Roles
- Diplomat / Envoy
Wei Lu was born in Han territory to a father of the Changshui Hu people. Recommended by his friend Li Yannian, he was sent as an envoy to the Xiongnu; on his return Li's family had been executed, and fearing implication he fled back to the Xiongnu, where the Chanyu made him King of Dingling and kept him as a close adviser. When Su Wu's embassy was seized in 100 BCE, Wei Lu interrogated him, threatening him with a sword and tempting him with wealth, but Su Wu never yielded. According to the History of the Han he served several Chanyus and died in the reign of Emperor Zhao; he is the chief antagonist of the Biography of Su Wu.
Life and times
Dates Dates unknown; active c. 100–85 BCE