Wang Zai
Encyclopedia
Wang Zai né Wang Yanzai (王晏宰), was a general of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, most well-known for his participation in Emperor Wuzong
's campaign against the warlord Liu Zhen
, who ruled Zhaoyi Circuit (昭義, headquartered in modern Changzhi
, Shanxi
).
, who was a long-time military governor (Jiedushi
) of Wuning Circuit (武寧, headquartered in modern Xuzhou
, Jiangsu
). He was considered the most talented among his brothers. At an unknown point in his life, the character "Yan" was removed from his name, and he became known just as Wang Zai. One of his sons, Wang Yanshi (王晏實), was so loved by his father Wang Zhixing that Wang Zhixing adopted Wang Yanshi as his own son, so legally, Wang Yanshi became a brother to him.
, then under the control of the powerful eunuchs. He was said to have participated in suppressing the plot by Emperor Wenzong
and his associates Li Xun
and Zheng Zhu
to slaughter the eunuchs in 835
— known as the Ganlu Incident
— while serving in the Shence Armies. Thereafter, he served as the prefect of Guang Prefecture (光州, in modern Xinyang
, Henan
). Subsequently, at the suggestion of his superior, the former chancellor Duan Wenchang
the military governor of Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou
, Jiangsu
), Wang was moved to be the prefect of Yan Prefecture (鹽州, in modern Yulin, Shaanxi
). It was said that he was strict at Yan Prefecture and the people did not appreciate him. He was later promoted to be the military governor of Binning Circuit (邠寧, headquartered in modern Xianyang
, Shaanxi
). After the campaigns against the remnants of the Huigu Khanate early in the reign of Emperor Wenzong's brother and successor Emperor Wuzong
, in 843
, Wang was moved to be the military governor of Zhongwu Circuit (忠武, headquartered in modern Xuchang
, Henan
).
, who had seized control of Zhaoyi Circuit after the death of his adoptive father (and biological uncle) Liu Congjian
, who was previously military governor, without imperial sanction. Initially, Zhongwu was not one of the circuits mobilized against Zhaoyi. However, He Hongjing
the military governor of Weibo Circuit (魏博, headquartered in modern Handan
, Hebei
) — one of the circuits that Emperor Wuzong did mobilize — who had been governing Weibo in de facto independence from the imperial government, had been trying to intercede on Liu Zhen's behalf, and had not launched his own troops against Zhaoyi. In order to pressure He Hongjing, Emperor Wuzong ordered Wang Zai to mobilize his troops and cut through Weibo to attack Zhaoyi's Ci Prefecture (磁州, in modern Handan). When He Hongjing heard of Wang's orders, he became apprehensive that if Zhongwu forces entered Weibo that his soldiers could rebel against him; he thus launched his troops in a hurry to attack Ci Prefecture.
After He Hongjing launched his troops, with the objective of pressuring He Hongjing having been accomplished, Emperor Wuzong, at the advice of the lead chancellor Li Deyu
, diverted Wang Zai to Heyang Circuit (河陽, headquartered in modern Luoyang
, Henan
) instead, as Heyang troops had recently been dealt a serious defeat by Zhaoyi forces under the command of the officer Xue Maoqing (薛茂卿), and its defense had been further hampered by the illness that its military governor Wang Maoyuan (王茂元) was suffering. When Wang Maoyuan subsequently died, Emperor Wuzong had Wang Zai take over the command of the Heyang troops, then at Wanshan (萬善, in modern Jiaozuo
, Henan
), as well, although he gave the command of the circuit itself to Jing Xin (敬昕), rather than giving Wang Zai the command of Heyang as well.
Once Wang Zai arrived at the front, it was said that because Wang's troops had strict discipline, the Zhaoyi soldiers became apprehensive of him. Meanwhile, Xue had become resentful toward Liu Zhen, as Liu had not rewarded Xue for his great victory over Heyang troops — believing that it was Xue's victory that aggravated the imperial government into refusing peace. Xue therefore initiated secret contacts with Wang. When Wang subsequently attacked Tianjing Pass (天井關, in modern Jincheng
, Shanxi
), which Xue had previously captured, Xue made only minimal efforts to resist him before withdrawing and allowing Wang to recover Tianjing Pass. Xue withdrew to Ze Prefecture (澤州, in modern Jincheng) and secretly urged Wang to attack Ze Prefecture quickly, promising to surrender Ze Prefecture to him when he arrived. Wang, however, doubted Xue's sincerity and did not do so. Xue's plans were subsequently leaked, and Liu summoned him back to Zhaoyi's capital Lu Prefecture (潞州) and killed him and his family. The Zhaoyi forces on the Ze Prefecture front were taken over by another Zhaoyi officer, Liu Gongzhi (劉公直), who subsequently recaptured Tianjing Pass from Wang. Wang was subsequently able to in turn deal Liu Gongzhi a loss and capture Lingchuan (陵川, in modern Jincheng), but his and Liu Gongzhi's forces subsequently stalemated.
On Chinese New Year
's Day 844
, soldiers at Taiyuan
Municipality, the capital of the imperially-controlled Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern Taiyuan, Shanxi
), mutinied against the military governor Li Shi
, under the leadership of the officer Yang Bian (楊弁). Li Shi was forced to flee. Yang subsequently entered into an alliance with Liu Zhen. In light of this, Wang advocated accepting Liu Zhen's offer to submit, and sent messengers to Lu Prefecture to see what Liu Zhen's intentions were. Li Deyu, however, advocated against peace, and argued that neither Yang nor Liu Zhen should be allowed to remain. When other Hedong soldiers, who were previously attacking Zhaoyi, subsequently recaptured Taiyuan and put down Yang's mutiny, Li Deyu pointed out to Emperor Wuzong two reasons why he believed that Wang wanted peace — because Shi Xiong
, who commanded an army against Zhaoyi that was then closer to Lu Prefecture than Wang, had been previously falsely accused by Wang Zhixing, and therefore an enmity existed between Shi and Wang; and because Wang Yanshi, who had been the prefect of Ci Prefecture, was then detained by Liu Zhen. Emperor Wuzong thereafter issued an edict urging Wang Zai to continue his offensive, pointing out that he knew Wang Yanshi's importance to him, but the welfare of the state had to come first.
In order to pressure Wang Zai, Emperor Wuzong subsequently, at Li Deyu's suggestion, transferred Liu Mian (劉沔) the military governor of Yicheng Circuit (義成, headquartered in modern Anyang
, Henan
) to Heyang, and had him take his troops to Wanshan, close to Wang's camp. Wang, thereafter, attacked Ze Prefecture in summer 844, but did not capture it immediately. Subsequently, in fall 844, the three Zhaoyi prefectures east of the Taihang Mountains
, angry at the taxes that officers Liu Zhen sent were imposing on them, surrendered to He Hongjing and Wang Yuankui
the military governor of Chengde Circuit (成德, headquartered in modern Shijiazhuang
, Hebei
). When this news reached Lu Prefecture, Liu Zhen's officer Guo Yi (郭誼) killed Liu Zhen and surrendered to the imperial forces. Liu Zhen's head was subsequently delivered through Ze Prefecture to the imperial camp, and when it arrived at Liu Gongzhi's camp, Liu Gongzhi, after the entire army wept in grief, surrendered to Wang Zai.
, when Zhaoyi soldiers mutinied against the new military governor, Lu Jun (盧均), Emperor Wuzong ordered Wang, Shi Xiong (then the military governor of Heyang), and Wei Gongfu (韋恭甫) the military governor of Hezhong to launch their troops to cut off potential escape routes of the mutineers, but after Lu was subsequently able to persuade the mutineers to surrender, Wang, Shi, and Wei stood down.
After Emperor Wuzong died in 846
and was succeeded by his uncle Emperor Xuānzong
, the Tufan general Lun Kongre (論恐熱) took the opportunity to raid to attack the area west of the Yellow River
(i.e., modern northern Shaanxi
). Emperor Xuānzong ordered Wang to engage Lun. Wang, with the Shatuo
chieftain Zhuye Chixin
as his forward commander, did so, and he defeated Lun at Yan Prefecture.
In 849
, Wang went to the capital Chang'an
to pay homage to Emperor Xuānzong. While at Chang'an, he bribed many high-level officials, hoping to be able to be transferred to Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered in modern Kaifeng
, Henan
), and be made an honorary chancellor. Both of these aspirations, however, were opposed by the chancellor Zhou Chi
, and Wang was forced to return to Hedong. Later, after he suffered an illness, he was transferred to Heyang. Yet later, he was made an advisor to the Crown Prince
, to have his office at the eastern capital Luoyang
. He died while there, although the time of his death is not recorded.
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
dynasty Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
, most well-known for his participation in Emperor Wuzong
Emperor Wuzong of Tang
Emperor Wuzong of Tang , né Li Chan , later changed to Li Yan just before his death, was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China, reigning from 840 to 846. Emperor Wuzong is mainly known in modern times for the religious persecution that occurred during his reign...
's campaign against the warlord Liu Zhen
Liu Zhen
Liu Zhen was the son of Liu Sheng, and the grandson of Emperor Jing of Han. According to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Zhen was granted the title of Ting Marquis of Lucheng by the Emperor Wu of Han...
, who ruled Zhaoyi Circuit (昭義, headquartered in modern Changzhi
Changzhi
Changzhi is a prefecture-level city in Shanxi Province, People's Republic of China. It lies between the city of Huozhou in Shanxi and the city of Hebi in Henan....
, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
).
Background
It is not known when Wang Yanzai was born, but it is known that he was probably the second of nine sons of his father Wang ZhixingWang Zhixing
Wang Zhixing , courtesy name Kuangjian , formally the Prince of Yanmen , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty...
, who was a long-time military governor (Jiedushi
Jiedushi
The Jiedushi were regional military governors in China during the Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. Originally set up to counter external threats, the jiedushi were given enormous power, including the ability to maintain their own armies, collect taxes, and pass their...
) of Wuning Circuit (武寧, headquartered in modern Xuzhou
Xuzhou
Xuzhou , otherwise known as Pengcheng in ancient times, is a major city in and the fourth largest prefecture-level city of Jiangsu province, People's Republic of China...
, Jiangsu
Jiangsu
' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country. The name comes from jiang, short for the city of Jiangning , and su, for the city of Suzhou. The abbreviation for this province is "苏" , the second character of its name...
). He was considered the most talented among his brothers. At an unknown point in his life, the character "Yan" was removed from his name, and he became known just as Wang Zai. One of his sons, Wang Yanshi (王晏實), was so loved by his father Wang Zhixing that Wang Zhixing adopted Wang Yanshi as his own son, so legally, Wang Yanshi became a brother to him.
Early career
Wang Zai was said to be resolute in his youth, and he became an officer in the Shence ArmiesShence Army
The Shence Army was a Tang Dynasty Chinese army unit based in Chang’an City which formed the primary imperial guard responsible for protecting the emperor. It was set up in 754 CE by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and placed under the command of Longyou Military Governor Geshu Han...
, then under the control of the powerful eunuchs. He was said to have participated in suppressing the plot by Emperor Wenzong
Emperor Wenzong of Tang
Emperor Wenzong of Tang , personal name Li Ang , né Li Han , was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China. He reigned from 827 to 840. Emperor Wenzong was the second son of Emperor Muzong and younger brother of Emperor Jingzong...
and his associates Li Xun
Li Zhongyan
Li Zhongyan , known as Li Xun in 835, courtesy name initially Zixun , later Zichui , pseudonym Hermit Wang during the mourning period for his mother, was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty...
and Zheng Zhu
Zheng Zhu
Zheng Zhu , probably né Yu Zhu , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. He became a trusted advisor to Emperor Wenzong due to treatments he provided Emperor Wenzong for the emperor's illnesses, and thereafter plotted with Emperor Wenzong and Li Xun to slaughter the powerful eunuchs...
to slaughter the eunuchs in 835
835
Year 835 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Ragnar Lodbrok rises to power ....
— known as the Ganlu Incident
Ganlu Incident
The Ganlu Incident referred to an incident on December 14, 835, where then-reigning Emperor Wenzong of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, angry about the power that the powerful eunuchs had, conspired with the chancellor Li Xun and the general Zheng Zhu to slaughter the eunuchs...
— while serving in the Shence Armies. Thereafter, he served as the prefect of Guang Prefecture (光州, in modern Xinyang
Xinyang
Xinyang is a prefecture-level city in southeastern Henan province, People's Republic of China, the southernmost such administrative division in the province.-Recent history:...
, Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
). Subsequently, at the suggestion of his superior, the former chancellor Duan Wenchang
Duan Wenchang
Duan Wenchang , courtesy name Moqing , alternative name Jingchu , formally the Duke of Zouping , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Muzong.- Background :Duan Wenchang was born in 773, during the reign of Emperor Daizong...
the military governor of Huainan Circuit (淮南, headquartered in modern Yangzhou
Yangzhou
Yangzhou is a prefecture-level city in central Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China. Sitting on the northern bank of the Yangtze River, it borders the provincial capital of Nanjing to the southwest, Huai'an to the north, Yancheng to the northeast, Taizhou to the east, and Zhenjiang across...
, Jiangsu
Jiangsu
' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country. The name comes from jiang, short for the city of Jiangning , and su, for the city of Suzhou. The abbreviation for this province is "苏" , the second character of its name...
), Wang was moved to be the prefect of Yan Prefecture (鹽州, in modern Yulin, Shaanxi
Yulin, Shaanxi
Yulin is a prefecture-level city in the Shaanxi province of the People's Republic of China. It has an area of 43,578 km² and a population of 3,380,000.-Geography and climate:...
). It was said that he was strict at Yan Prefecture and the people did not appreciate him. He was later promoted to be the military governor of Binning Circuit (邠寧, headquartered in modern Xianyang
Xianyang
Xianyang is a former capital of China in Shaanxi province, on the Wei River, a few kilometers upstream from Xi'an. It has an area of...
, Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
). After the campaigns against the remnants of the Huigu Khanate early in the reign of Emperor Wenzong's brother and successor Emperor Wuzong
Emperor Wuzong of Tang
Emperor Wuzong of Tang , né Li Chan , later changed to Li Yan just before his death, was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China, reigning from 840 to 846. Emperor Wuzong is mainly known in modern times for the religious persecution that occurred during his reign...
, in 843
843
Year 843 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The Treaty of Verdun divides the Carolingian Empire between the 3 sons of Louis the Pious .* Kenneth I , King of the Scots, also becomes King of the Picts, thus becoming the first...
, Wang was moved to be the military governor of Zhongwu Circuit (忠武, headquartered in modern Xuchang
Xuchang
Xuchang is a prefecture-level city in central Henan province in Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the northwest, Kaifeng to the northeast, Zhoukou to the east, Luohe to the southeast, and Pingdingshan to the southwest....
, Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
).
Campaign against Zhaoyi
Soon after Wang Zai's commission as military governor of Zhongwu, Emperor Wuzong declared a general campaign against Liu ZhenLiu Zhen
Liu Zhen was the son of Liu Sheng, and the grandson of Emperor Jing of Han. According to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Zhen was granted the title of Ting Marquis of Lucheng by the Emperor Wu of Han...
, who had seized control of Zhaoyi Circuit after the death of his adoptive father (and biological uncle) Liu Congjian
Liu Congjian
Liu Congjian , formally the Duke of Pei , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who is most known for his term as the military governor of Zhaoyi Circuit , during which he was viewed as a warlord who maintained a tight hold on the circuit but also as someone who served as a...
, who was previously military governor, without imperial sanction. Initially, Zhongwu was not one of the circuits mobilized against Zhaoyi. However, He Hongjing
He Hongjing
He Hongjing , né He Chongshun , formally the Duke of Chu , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who ruled Weibo Circuit as its military governor in de facto independence from the imperial government.- Background :It is not completely clear when He Chongshun was...
the military governor of Weibo Circuit (魏博, headquartered in modern Handan
Handan
Handan is a prefecture-level city located in the southwestern part of Hebei Province of China.- History :Handan was the capital of the State of Zhao during the Warring States period , after the capital moved from Zhongmu. The city was conquered by the State of Qin after the virtual annexation of...
, Hebei
Hebei
' is a province of the People's Republic of China in the North China region. Its one-character abbreviation is "" , named after Ji Province, a Han Dynasty province that included what is now southern Hebei...
) — one of the circuits that Emperor Wuzong did mobilize — who had been governing Weibo in de facto independence from the imperial government, had been trying to intercede on Liu Zhen's behalf, and had not launched his own troops against Zhaoyi. In order to pressure He Hongjing, Emperor Wuzong ordered Wang Zai to mobilize his troops and cut through Weibo to attack Zhaoyi's Ci Prefecture (磁州, in modern Handan). When He Hongjing heard of Wang's orders, he became apprehensive that if Zhongwu forces entered Weibo that his soldiers could rebel against him; he thus launched his troops in a hurry to attack Ci Prefecture.
After He Hongjing launched his troops, with the objective of pressuring He Hongjing having been accomplished, Emperor Wuzong, at the advice of the lead chancellor Li Deyu
Li Deyu
Li Deyu , courtesy name Wenrao , formally the Duke of Wei , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of brothers Emperor Wenzong and Emperor Wuzong and their uncle Emperor Xuānzong...
, diverted Wang Zai to Heyang Circuit (河陽, headquartered in modern Luoyang
Luoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
, Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
) instead, as Heyang troops had recently been dealt a serious defeat by Zhaoyi forces under the command of the officer Xue Maoqing (薛茂卿), and its defense had been further hampered by the illness that its military governor Wang Maoyuan (王茂元) was suffering. When Wang Maoyuan subsequently died, Emperor Wuzong had Wang Zai take over the command of the Heyang troops, then at Wanshan (萬善, in modern Jiaozuo
Jiaozuo
Jiaozuo is a prefecture-level city in northern Henan province, People's Republic of China. Sitting on the northern bank of the Yellow River, it borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the south, Xinxiang to the east, Jiyuan to the west, Luoyang to the southwest, and the province of Shanxi...
, Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
), as well, although he gave the command of the circuit itself to Jing Xin (敬昕), rather than giving Wang Zai the command of Heyang as well.
Once Wang Zai arrived at the front, it was said that because Wang's troops had strict discipline, the Zhaoyi soldiers became apprehensive of him. Meanwhile, Xue had become resentful toward Liu Zhen, as Liu had not rewarded Xue for his great victory over Heyang troops — believing that it was Xue's victory that aggravated the imperial government into refusing peace. Xue therefore initiated secret contacts with Wang. When Wang subsequently attacked Tianjing Pass (天井關, in modern Jincheng
Jincheng
Jincheng is a prefecture-level city in the southeast of Shanxi province of north China. It is an industrial city in an area where coal mining is an important industry. It has a population of 2.2 million....
, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
), which Xue had previously captured, Xue made only minimal efforts to resist him before withdrawing and allowing Wang to recover Tianjing Pass. Xue withdrew to Ze Prefecture (澤州, in modern Jincheng) and secretly urged Wang to attack Ze Prefecture quickly, promising to surrender Ze Prefecture to him when he arrived. Wang, however, doubted Xue's sincerity and did not do so. Xue's plans were subsequently leaked, and Liu summoned him back to Zhaoyi's capital Lu Prefecture (潞州) and killed him and his family. The Zhaoyi forces on the Ze Prefecture front were taken over by another Zhaoyi officer, Liu Gongzhi (劉公直), who subsequently recaptured Tianjing Pass from Wang. Wang was subsequently able to in turn deal Liu Gongzhi a loss and capture Lingchuan (陵川, in modern Jincheng), but his and Liu Gongzhi's forces subsequently stalemated.
On Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year – often called Chinese Lunar New Year although it actually is lunisolar – is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It is an all East and South-East-Asia celebration...
's Day 844
844
Year 844 was a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Rhodri Mawr becomes king of Gwynedd....
, soldiers at Taiyuan
Taiyuan
Taiyuan is the capital and largest city of Shanxi province in North China. At the 2010 census, it had a total population of 4,201,591 inhabitants on 6959 km² whom 3,212,500 are urban on 1,460 km². The name of the city literally means "Great Plains", referring to the location where the Fen River...
Municipality, the capital of the imperially-controlled Hedong Circuit (河東, headquartered in modern Taiyuan, Shanxi
Shanxi
' is a province in Northern China. Its one-character abbreviation is "晋" , after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period....
), mutinied against the military governor Li Shi
Li Shi (Tang Dynasty)
Li Shi , courtesy name Zhongyu , formally the Count of Longxi , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wenzong...
, under the leadership of the officer Yang Bian (楊弁). Li Shi was forced to flee. Yang subsequently entered into an alliance with Liu Zhen. In light of this, Wang advocated accepting Liu Zhen's offer to submit, and sent messengers to Lu Prefecture to see what Liu Zhen's intentions were. Li Deyu, however, advocated against peace, and argued that neither Yang nor Liu Zhen should be allowed to remain. When other Hedong soldiers, who were previously attacking Zhaoyi, subsequently recaptured Taiyuan and put down Yang's mutiny, Li Deyu pointed out to Emperor Wuzong two reasons why he believed that Wang wanted peace — because Shi Xiong
Shi Xiong
Shi Xiong was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, most known for his participation in two campaigns during the reign of Emperor Wuzong — against the remnants of the Huigu Khanate, and against the warlord Liu Zhen, who controlled Zhaoyi Circuit .- Career at Wuning Circuit :It is not...
, who commanded an army against Zhaoyi that was then closer to Lu Prefecture than Wang, had been previously falsely accused by Wang Zhixing, and therefore an enmity existed between Shi and Wang; and because Wang Yanshi, who had been the prefect of Ci Prefecture, was then detained by Liu Zhen. Emperor Wuzong thereafter issued an edict urging Wang Zai to continue his offensive, pointing out that he knew Wang Yanshi's importance to him, but the welfare of the state had to come first.
In order to pressure Wang Zai, Emperor Wuzong subsequently, at Li Deyu's suggestion, transferred Liu Mian (劉沔) the military governor of Yicheng Circuit (義成, headquartered in modern Anyang
Anyang
Anyang is a prefecture-level city in Henan province, People's Republic of China. The northernmost city in Henan, Anyang borders Puyang to the east, Hebi and Xinxiang to the south, and the provinces of Shanxi and Hebei to its west and north respectively....
, Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
) to Heyang, and had him take his troops to Wanshan, close to Wang's camp. Wang, thereafter, attacked Ze Prefecture in summer 844, but did not capture it immediately. Subsequently, in fall 844, the three Zhaoyi prefectures east of the Taihang Mountains
Taihang Mountains
The Taihang Mountains are a Chinese mountain range running down the eastern edge of the Loess Plateau in Henan, Shanxi and Hebei provinces. The range extends over 400 km from north to south and has an average elevation of 1,500 to 2,000 meters. The principal peak is Xiao Wutaishan...
, angry at the taxes that officers Liu Zhen sent were imposing on them, surrendered to He Hongjing and Wang Yuankui
Wang Yuankui
Wang Yuankui , formally Duke Zhong of Taiyuan , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. Like his father Wang Tingcou, Wang Yuankui ruled Chengde Circuit in de facto independence from the imperial government, but unlike Wang Tingcou, he was respectful to the imperial government and...
the military governor of Chengde Circuit (成德, headquartered in modern Shijiazhuang
Shijiazhuang
Shijiazhuang is the capital and largest city of North China's Hebei province. Administratively a prefecture-level city, it is about south of Beijing...
, Hebei
Hebei
' is a province of the People's Republic of China in the North China region. Its one-character abbreviation is "" , named after Ji Province, a Han Dynasty province that included what is now southern Hebei...
). When this news reached Lu Prefecture, Liu Zhen's officer Guo Yi (郭誼) killed Liu Zhen and surrendered to the imperial forces. Liu Zhen's head was subsequently delivered through Ze Prefecture to the imperial camp, and when it arrived at Liu Gongzhi's camp, Liu Gongzhi, after the entire army wept in grief, surrendered to Wang Zai.
After campaign against Zhaoyi
Late in 844, Emperor Wuzong made Wang Zai the military governor of Hedong Circuit. In 845845
Year 845 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* March 28 – Paris is sacked by Viking raiders, probably under Ragnar Lodbrok, who collect a huge ransom in exchange for leaving.* The Vikings also sack Hamburg and Melun.* November 22 – Count of Vannes,...
, when Zhaoyi soldiers mutinied against the new military governor, Lu Jun (盧均), Emperor Wuzong ordered Wang, Shi Xiong (then the military governor of Heyang), and Wei Gongfu (韋恭甫) the military governor of Hezhong to launch their troops to cut off potential escape routes of the mutineers, but after Lu was subsequently able to persuade the mutineers to surrender, Wang, Shi, and Wei stood down.
After Emperor Wuzong died in 846
846
Year 846 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Nominoe occupies Nantes and Rennes, he makes raids in Anjou and threatens Bayeux...
and was succeeded by his uncle Emperor Xuānzong
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang
Emperor Xuanzong of Tang , also commonly known as Emperor Ming of Tang , personal name Li Longji , known as Wu Longji from 690 to 705, was the seventh emperor of the Tang dynasty in China, reigning from 712 to 756. His reign of 43 years was the longest during the Tang Dynasty...
, the Tufan general Lun Kongre (論恐熱) took the opportunity to raid to attack the area west of the Yellow River
Yellow River
The Yellow River or Huang He, formerly known as the Hwang Ho, is the second-longest river in China and the sixth-longest in the world at the estimated length of . Originating in the Bayan Har Mountains in Qinghai Province in western China, it flows through nine provinces of China and empties into...
(i.e., modern northern Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
). Emperor Xuānzong ordered Wang to engage Lun. Wang, with the Shatuo
Shatuo
The Shatuo were a Turkic tribe that heavily influenced northern Chinese politics from the late ninth century through the tenth century. They are noted for founding 3 of the 5 dynasties and 1 of the kingdoms during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period....
chieftain Zhuye Chixin
Li Guochang
Li Guochang , né Zhuye Chixin , courtesy name Dexing , posthumously honored by Later Tang Dynasty as Emperor Wenjing with the temple name of Xianzu , was a leader of the Shatuo Turks during the waning years of the Tang Dynasty.- Background :Zhuye Chixin's ancestors had been hereditary chiefs of...
as his forward commander, did so, and he defeated Lun at Yan Prefecture.
In 849
849
Year 849 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* In the Tang Dynasty Chinese capital city of Chang'an, an imperial prince was impeached from his position by officials at court for erecting a building that obstructed a street in the northwesternmost ward in South...
, Wang went to the capital Chang'an
Chang'an
Chang'an is an ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi'an. Chang'an literally means "Perpetual Peace" in Classical Chinese. During the short-lived Xin Dynasty, the city was renamed "Constant Peace" ; yet after its fall in AD 23, the old name was restored...
to pay homage to Emperor Xuānzong. While at Chang'an, he bribed many high-level officials, hoping to be able to be transferred to Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered in modern Kaifeng
Kaifeng
Kaifeng , known previously by several names , is a prefecture-level city in east-central Henan province, Central China. Nearly 5 million people live in the metropolitan area...
, Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
), and be made an honorary chancellor. Both of these aspirations, however, were opposed by the chancellor Zhou Chi
Zhou Chi
Zhou Chi , courtesy name Desheng , formally the Baron of Ru'nan , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xuānzong.- Background :...
, and Wang was forced to return to Hedong. Later, after he suffered an illness, he was transferred to Heyang. Yet later, he was made an advisor to the Crown Prince
Crown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
, to have his office at the eastern capital Luoyang
Luoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
. He died while there, although the time of his death is not recorded.