In 1826, Wei published his first major work, An Anthology of Statecraft Writings from the Present Dynasty.

Recruited by a wealthy official to compile a collection of writings on government and policy, Wei made an unexpected choice. While Wei focused on works by Confucian scholars, he chose works that proposed practical, pragmatic solutions to China’s troubles. From these Confucian parts, a very different whole emerged, exuding Legalist philosophies of strengthening the army and enriching the state. “Wealth and power,” fuqiang (富强) had reappeared.