Character Profile: Dian Wei 典韋
| Pinyin Name: | Diǎn Wéi / Dian3 Wei2 |  |
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| Wade-Giles Name: | Tien Wêi | |
| Pronunciation (Yale): | Dyan Wei | |
| Hanzi/Kanji Name: |  |
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| Japanese Name: | Ten'i | |
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| A.K.A: | "Coming Evil" | |
| Lifespan: | ?-197 A.D. | |
| Allegiance: | Wei | |
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| First appeared in: | Dynasty Warriors |
Biography based on the novel
Dian Wei of Chen Liu was a large, bold-looking man with unusual strength, sometimes compared to the legendary E Lai of the Shang dynasty.
Early career
Once, Dian Wei killed a man to avenge a friend, and though hundreds witnessed it none were brave enough to approach and arrest him. He first served Zhang Miao, but had to flee to the mountains after killing dozens of other followers during a quarrel.
Service with Cao Cao
While out hunting, Xiahou Dun saw Dian Wei chasing a tiger. Dun recruited him on the spot. When presented to Cao Cao, Dian Wei impressed all by holding up an immense flag pole against the wind, with just one hand. He became Cao Cao's bodyguard.
Wielding two heavy iron pikes (though he does throw battle axes in Chapter 11), Dian Wei saved Cao Cao's life on many occasions. During an attack on Lu Bu at Pu Yang, Cao Cao was nearly lost in an ambush — Dian Wei went in alone to find him and bring him to safety.
Duel with Xu Zhu
While pursuing Yellow Turban outlaws, Dian Wei met Xu Zhu, who had captured all the outlaws and imprisoned them. Dian Wei demanded that they be turned over to him — Xu Zhu challenged him to a duel. They fought for many hours over several days, evenly matched in skill and strength. Cao Cao, desiring to recruit Xu Zhu, bade Dian Wei to feign retreat on the third day to lure Xu Zhu into a pitfall. He did, and so Xu Zhu came to join Cao Cao's army.
Ambush at Wan Castle
At Wan Castle, Zhang Xiu and Hu Chu-Er plotted Cao Cao's demise but feared Dian Wei's strength; Zhang Xiu plied Dian Wei with drinks until he was quite drunk and sleepy. While Dian Wei slept, his pikes were stolen, and the attack on Cao Cao was launched. Upon awakening, he took up a sword, rushed out the main gate, and began wreaking havoc. When his sword broke, he tossed it aside and used enemy bodies as bludgeons. Sadly, the enemies surrounded him, and he was stabbed in the back by numerous pikes. Even after Dian Wei fell, the enemies feared the main gate.
Meanwhile, Cao Cao was able to escape through a rear gate, and eventually made it to safety. He mourned the loss of Dian Wei, even above the loss of his own son and nephew. He took Dian Wei's son into his own household and offered sacrifices for him at the capital, Xu Chang. A year later, back at Wan Castle, Cao Cao burnt incense in his memory.
Novel Chapters
- First appearance
- Battle with Lu Bu
- Ambush at Pu Yang; Duel with Xu Zhu
- Death at Wan Castle
- Mourned at Xu Chang
- Mourned at Wan Castle
Last updated: 17 April 2008.