Ministers › Exemplary Magistrates
Wei Ding
Official of Liang, Chen and Sui from Duling in Jingzhao, courtesy name Chaosheng, learned in yin-yang and physiognomy, who foretold the rise of Chen Baxian and Yang Jian.
In spring fields beside a canal, a wooden water wheel turns as water pours down, many small farmers work in the flooded paddies, and a plain sedan chair stands on the path along the bank, with village houses and green hills in the distance.
Also known as Chaosheng
Wei Ding, courtesy name Chaosheng, was from Duling in Jingzhao and served the Liang, Chen, Northern Zhou and Sui. Widely read in classics and histories, versed in yin-yang and especially physiognomy, he served Xiao Yi, Prince of Xiangdong, and then Xiao Lun. After Hou Jing's rebellion he went over to the Chen, told Chen Baxian he would rule, and held several posts. Sent as envoy to the Northern Zhou in 581, he arrived at Chang'an after the Sui had taken over, and told Yang Jian his looks were extraordinary. Emperor Wen of Sui honoured him, and in 592 he was prefect of Guang Prefecture, noted for fair judgments; recalled to Chang'an, he died there at seventy-nine. He compiled a seven-fascicle genealogy of the Jingzhao Wei clan; one poem, Hearing the Mockingbird at Chang'an, survives.
Life and times
Dates Dates unknown; served Liang, Chen, Zhou and Sui; died at Chang'an aged seventy-nine