Xu Wei

Timeline

1. 1521–1557Shanyin County, Shaoxing Prefecture · ShanyinBorn in Shanyin, Shaoxing Prefecture, renowned for literary talent in youth, studying under Ji Ben of his home region. As a student repeatedly failed the provincial examinations, yet became famous in the Yue region for his extraordinary poetry and prose, beginning to engage with military strategy and dramatic prosody.
2. 1558–1562Zhejiang Governor-General's advisory staff · ZhejiangServed as secretary alongside Yu Yin and Shen Mingchen. His ghostwritten Memorial Presenting White Deer won high praise from the Jiajing emperor, and Hu Zongxian valued him all the more. The History of Ming states he understood military strategy and favored unusual plans, with the capture of Xu Hai and luring of Wang Zhi both involving his schemes. He completed the Record of Southern Lyrics around the 38th year of Jiajing.
3. 1565–1573Shanyin County prison · ShaoxingAfter Hu Zongxian was imprisoned, Xu Wei feared disaster and went mad, repeatedly self-mutilating without dying, then killing his second wife, sentenced to death and imprisoned. Zhang Yuanbian of Shanyin secured his reprieve, and he was released after about seven years. The psychological trauma of this period deeply influenced the cathartic style of his later calligraphy and freehand painting.
4. 1573–1593Shanyin, Shaoxing · ShaoxingAfter release he made a living selling paintings and writing, composing the zaju play Four Screams of the Ape (Mad Drum Historian, Jade Chan Master, Female Mulan, Female Top Scholar). He traveled north to the frontier and stayed at Zhang Yuanbian's home, ultimately leaving because he could not submit to ritual constraints. Died in poverty in Shanyin in the 21st year of Wanli, aged seventy-three.