Wen Li (died 279), courtesy name Guangxiu, was an official and scholar of the state of Shu Han in the Three Kingdoms period of China. After the fall of Shu in 263, he continued serving under the Cao Wei state, then the succeeding Jin dynasty in 266.
Life Wen Li was born in Linjiang, Ba Commandery (), which is present-day Zhong County, Chongqing.() Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 02. Mao Chu () and Yang Chong (), both from the same Ba Commandery () as Wen Li, were also known for their virtues and talents. Yang Chong served as the Administrator of Wuling ().() Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 02. In his youth, he studied at the Taixue (; Imperial Academy) of Shu Han where he specialized himself into Classic of Poetry and The Three Rites as well as a wide range of other texts.() Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 02. He was a student of Qiao Zhou. Among his fellow disciples, he was compared to Yan Hui due to his eagerness to learn and modesty. While other of his classmates such as Chen Shou and Li Mi were compared to Yan Yan and Bu Shang. Along with them, Luo Xian was compared to Duanmu Ci.() Jin Shu vol. 91.
When Fei Yi was the Inspector of Yi Province (; from 244 to 253), Wen Li served as his secretary. Thereafter, he was appointed Gentleman of the Masters of Writing (). While Fei Yi was General-in-Chief (), Wen Li was also employed to serve as an assistant official in the east bureau of his office. Later, he was relocated as Master of Writing (; wrote up and distributed imperial edicts).() Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 02.
After the conquest of Shu by Wei, he started his career under Wei in Liang Province as Bieja (; important assistant to the governor of the province) where he selected people recommended as xiucai (; person who passed the county level imperial exam) and langzhong (; "Gentleman of the Palace").() Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 02. When Emperor Wu wanted to bring more talent from Liang and Yi provinces, Wen Li was selected among other outstanding scholars. In 266, he was appointed as Administrator of Jiyin ().() Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 02.
When Sima Yan established his son Sima Zhong as the Crown Prince in 267, he appointed the Minister of Works, Li Yin () as the Prince's tutor, and selected Sima You () and Wen Li to be his junior tutors. Wen Li served as zhongshuzi () whose role was to manage part of the imperial palace and provide guidance to the crown prince.() Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 02.
Afterwards, Wen Li submitted a memorial stating that the Crown Prince was a gifted and virtuous young man with a bright future, and that the attendants who served him should be selected from among talented and virtuous men. Wen Li further advised that the attendants should be observant and attentive to the Crown Prince's manners and conduct, listen carefully to his words, and be ready to respond with wisdom and insight. He emphasized the great responsibility of serving as attendants to the Crown Prince, which could only be entrusted to the most capable and virtuous individuals.() Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 02.
Sima Yan responded favorably to him by quoting an old saying.() Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 02. Thereafter, Wen Li wrote another memorial in which he appealed for clemency and recommended that the descendants of officials who had served the former state of Shu, including Zhuge Liang, Jiang Wan and Fei Yi should be employed and rewarded regardless of the past, in order to comfort the people of Ba–Shu regions and to furthermore encourage people of Wu to submit to Jin. His propositions were adopted.() Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 02.
Later, Sima Yan issued an edict where he praised Zhuge Liang for his fidelity toward his state and his son Zhuge Zhan for facing death with righteousness. Stating that Zhuge Liang's grandson Zhuge Jing () should be granted official position according to his ability. He also praised Fu Rong and Fu Qian for their loyalty and said that Fu Qian's sons. Fu Zhu () and Fu Mu () should be exempted from being commoners and employed them as officials.() Zizhi Tongjian vol. 79.
In 274, an imperial edict stated: "The Crown Prince's attendant, Wen Li is loyal, steadfast and thoroughly sincere. Think with reason and act with talent. Previously, when he administered Jiyin, his governmence was clear and bright. Later, he assisted with the Imperial Palace and fulfilled his duties as a mentor. In the past, Emperor Guangwu pacified the regions of Shu by utilizing the talents of the local people, so they could provide him new directions thus achieving success in remote areas and promoting the development of those who were neglected. Therefore, it seems just to have Wen Li as Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary ()."() Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 02.
Wen Li repeatedly declined the offer, but Sima Yan did not accept his refusal. Therefore, Wen Li submitted a memorial saying: "The heart of a minister should desire thrift in order to cultivate gain. When it comes to human's emotion, greed should be quieted in order to make place to brightness. Yet, It is a natural tendency for people to covet the opportunity to go from obscurity to prominence. This is true for both the wise and the foolish. How could I be an exception? But when I think about it, I am neither talented nor capable of handling important affairs. I am merely a humble and foolish person; how could I face such an assignment?"() Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 02. An Imperial edict answered: ""The position Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary () is bestowed upon those with talent. Why are you so modest?"() Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 02.
Wen Li continued to serve Sima Yan, offering suggestions on various matters and making significant contributions. He recruited talented people from Liang and Yi provinces, ensuring that they were fairly asserrted and given appropriate positions. As a result, he was highly regarded by his peers.() Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 02. A former Shu official, who worked as Master of Writing (), Cheng Qiong () was known as a virtuous man of high moral character. He had a close relationship with Wen Li. When Sima Yan heard of Cheng Qiong's reputation, he asked Wen Li about him. Wen Li replied: "I am very familiar with this person. However, he is almost eighty years old and, by nature modest and unassuming. He no longer holds the same aspirations as before and that is why I have not mentioned him to Your Majesty." Upon hearing this, Cheng Qiong said: "Guangxiu (Wen Li's courtesy name) can truly be considered impartial! That is why I have always admired him."() Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 02.
When horses were presented from the western border, Sima Yan asked Wen Li: "What do you think of the horses?" Wen Li replied: "I would like to ask the master of the stable." Sima Yan appreciated his humility and prudence.() Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 02. Wen Li was later promoted to the position of Minister of the Guards () but still maintained his previous responsibilities. His virtuous and elegant demeanor was admired by the imperial court, and he became a renowned minister of the time.() Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 02.
He often submitted memorials requesting to be relieved of his duties due to his old age and to return to his hometown, but Sima Yan refused.() Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 02. Eventually, Wen Li died in 279. Sima Yan, knowing Wen Li's affection for his homeland ordered his burial in the Shu region and arranged for an envoy to accompany the funeral procession. The local government and people honored him greatly.() Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 02.
Appraisal and anecdote Chang Qu, who wrote Wen Li's biography in the Chronicles of Huayang (Huayang Guo Zhi), appraised Wen Li as follows: "Solemn aura, sense of sincerity and sage gentleman."() Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 01.
As Liu Shan's eldest son, Crown Prince Liu Xuan died in Zhong Hui's Rebellion, his second son Liu Yao () was expected to succeed him. However, Liu Shan's favorite son (his sixth son, Liu Xun ()) was chosen instead. Wen Li strongly advised against this decision, but his advice was not heeded. Liu Xun, who succeeded his father as the Duke of Anle () in 271, grew up to be arrogant and cruel. People from Liang and Yi provinces wanted to submit a petition to have him removed from his position but Wen Li stopped them, arguing that the Duke's actions only harmed his own family and not the common people.() Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 02. Later, Liu Xun continued his licentious and immoral ways. He Pan, Wang Chong Administrator of Shangyong () and Zhang Yin () Administrator of Fuling () wrote letters admonishing him and reminding him to reflect on Wen Li's advice.() Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 02. Wen Li wrote dozens of memorials, essays, poems, and praises who were collected into several volumes. But since then, most of them have been lost.() Huayang Guo Zhi vol. 11. 02.
See also Lists of people of the Three Kingdoms
Notes
References
Chang Qu (4th century). Chronicles of Huayang (Huayang Guo Zhi). Fang, Xuanling (ed.) (648). Book of Jin (Jin Shu). Sima, Guang (1084). Zizhi Tongjian.