Xu Wei was born into a declining large family in Shaoxing Prefecture in 1521. His father was once a magistrate in Sichuan and had three wives. Xu Wei's biological mother was a servant, and his stepmother raised him as her own. When Xu Wei was ten years old, his biological mother was driven out of the family, causing him great emotional distress. Xu Wei served as a staff member for Hu Zongxian and attempted suicide nine times after Hu was imprisoned. Later, he was imprisoned and sentenced to death for killing his second wife due to illness. However, he was saved by his friends after seven years in prison. Afterward, Xu Wei traveled to the south to Jinling and then to the north to the border of Shanggu, teaching military strategy to General Li Chengliang and his son General Li Rushang. He often sang patriotic and sorrowful songs, full of love for his country and grief.