Wei Kang

Wei Kang (衛伉, 衛亢, ? – 91 BCE) was a marquis of the mid-Western Han period from Pingyang County (平陽縣) in Hedong Commandery. He was the son of the Grand General Wei Qing.

Career

In 124 BCE (5th year of the Yuanshuo era), the Chariot and Cavalry General Wei Qing defeated the Right Worthy King of the Xiongnu. Emperor Wu rewarded Wei Qing's merit by promoting him to Grand General, and Wei Kang, together with his brothers Wei Buyi and Wei Deng, was enfeoffed as a marquis on account of his father's achievements.

In 116 BCE (1st year of the Yuanding era), he lost his title for the crime of falsely claiming the emperor's orders.

In 104 BCE (1st year of the Taichu era), he succeeded Wei Qing and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Changping (長平侯). Five years later, however, for the crime of entering the palace without authorization, he was sentenced to Wancheng Danyong and his title was stripped.

In 91 BCE (2nd year of the Zhenghe era), Emperor Wu fell ill. The Shuixing Duwei Jiang Chong claimed that the illness was caused by someone practicing witchcraft (巫蠱), and the emperor, accepting this view, conducted a large-scale interrogation that led to the execution of many of his ministers and close attendants. Wei Kang was also implicated in this affair and was executed.

Sources

• Sima Qian, Shiji, Vol. 20 (Table of Marquises Enfeoffed Since the Jianyuan Era) and Vol. 111 (Biographies of General Wei and General Huo)
• Ban Gu, Hanshu, Vol. 18 (Table of Marquises of Imperial Relatives and Favorites), Vol. 55 (Biographies of Wei Qing and Huo Qubing), and Vol. 63 (Biographies of the Five Sons of Emperor Wu)