Song History Yunchuan Prefecture Chronicles: Biography of the Powerful Wei Family

Wei Cheng'an was born in a poor family in Yunchuan Prefecture on Jianning Road. He failed in the imperial examination when he was young and turned to Rao Jiangbian Army. In seven years, he learned military law, human relations and the operation of power. After retiring from the army, he relied on his father's fortune to find a job as a government clerk, and first joined the network of subordinate officials, engineering and business gangs. Later, he met his old friend Lei Zhiyuan by chance in Rongjing, and was introduced to the wealthy businessman Zheng Jingyuan. His keen judgment on the current situation attracted his attention. After Lei's death, Wei Cheng'an married his widow Wang Qingyi, took over part of the writing affairs of "Jianning Di Bao", and gradually became famous. During the Xuanhe period, Zheng Jingyuan made profits by borrowing salt banknotes, famine relief and relations between the DPRK and China, but refused to share the profits with Wei Chengan. Wei Sui used the evidence of the murder to overthrow Qian Shiheng, Zheng's old subordinate, and became a grudge against Zheng. Zheng Jingyuan sent people to eliminate him but failed, so his daughter Zheng Yi protected him and became pregnant, which eventually led to the marriage between Wei and Zheng. After marriage, Wei Chengan relied on Zheng's capital, Xun Wensu's imperial aid and local protection to establish Jiusheng Company in Yunchuan, which operated salt tea, construction, farms and trade routes, built Bibo Village, and became a local power.