Sima Qian praised Marquess Wen of Wei for his eagerness to learn. The Marquess is said to have often consulted the Confucian scholar Zixia as well as Tian Zifang () and Duangan Mu () among others. Marquess Wen of Wei also appointed Legalist philosopher Li Kui, whose principles for the implementation of political reforms were "to eat one must labor, to receive a salary one must provide meritorious service; those who do not will be punished." As the State of Wei underwent these reforms it became rich and powerful.