Wei Kang (onyomi: I Kō) is the popular Inspector of Liang Province. During Ma Chao's rampage in Liang, he defended Ji Castle.
Roles in Games
Wei Kang appears in Dynasty Warriors 5: Xtreme Legends only as the enemy commander at Ji Castle. He returns in Dynasty Warriors 8 as a recruit-able officer in the game's Ambition Mode, but does not appear regularly elsewhere.
In Dynasty Warriors 9, Wei Kang is mentioned by several of Cao Cao's subordinates as the administrator of Liang province during the latter's southern campaign against Liu Biao and Sun Quan with his responsibility being to keep the northern forces of Ma Teng at bay. His death by the hands of Ma Chao off-screen serves as the catalyst for the Battle of Tong Gate.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIV serves as Wei Kang's re-introduction to the series with his last appearance being the third instalment of the series. His stats in the game favor administration with his politics and charisma being in the 70s range, his leadership and intellegence being in the 60s range while his war stat is below average within the 30s. In reference to his role as inspector of Liang province, his character traits expedite the development of military when he is assigned as an area overseer (Enlightened) and increase his success in finding and recruiting officers (Insightful). The administrative policy he offers substantially increases the durability of cities and gates (Expand Castle Orders Lv 03).
Historical Information
Wei Kang was a man from Jingzhao in Yong Province and the son of Wei Duan, who served the Han as the Governor of Liang Province. Some time during the late 190's, Wei Kang was recommended by Xun Yu to join Cao Cao. His father had served Cao Cao as an agent at that time and was active in Liang Province, brokering peace between Ma Teng and Han Sui. Wei Kang was sent to serve at the western borders of Cao Cao's territory and was even praised by Kong Rong.
Some time after the death of Wei Duan, Wei Kang was named Inspector of Liang Province. In 213, Wei Kang was besieged in Jicheng by Ma Chao. Although facing numerical disadvantages, Wei Kang was encouraged by his officer Yang Fu to keep up the defense. Yang Fu and his cousin Yang Yue managed to hold the invaders off with only around 1,000 men. After eight months, there were no signs of reinforcements, so Wei Kang sent his official Yan Wen east in one night to request urgent reinforcements from Xiahou Yuan.
However, the elderly Yan Wen was caught by Ma Chao's men and Ma Chao tried to use him to his advantage. Yan Wen remained loyal, however, and refused to switch sides. Ma Chao had Yan Wen executed, which terrified Wei Kang and the Administrator of Jicheng. They hesitated to resist Ma Chao further, and although Yang Fu, Zhao Ang and others strongly opposed surrender, Wei Kang, seeing that the people of Jicheng began to starve as well, decided to surrender. Ma Chao had Yang Yue arrested and Wei Kang and the Administrator of Jicheng were murdered by Zhang Lu's general Yang Ang.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Wei Kang appears in chapter 64 of the novel as the Governor of Jicheng. After sending numerous requests for reinforcements to Xiahou Yuan, Wei Kang summoned his men to discuss the situation and most of them advised him to surrender. Only Yang Fu urged him to hold out, but Wei Kang did not see any hope in doing so and ignored his advice. He then opened the gate and surrendered to Ma Chao. Ma Chao, angry at the delay he had suffered in Jicheng, did not feel that Wei Kang's surrender was a true submission and had him and his family executed.
Gallery
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Romance of the Three Kingdoms: The Legend of Cao Cao portrait
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