Wang Chengyuan
Encyclopedia
Wang Chengyuan (801
– February 3, 834), formally the Duke of Qi (岐公), was a general of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
. His family had, for generations, controlled Chengde Circuit (成德, headquartered in modern Shijiazhuang
, Hebei
), but he declined the command of Chengde after the death of his older brother Wang Chengzong
. He subsequently served as a general under imperial command until his death.
, during the reign of Emperor Dezong
. He was a son of Wang Shizhen
, who, around the time, took over as military governor (Jiedushi
) of Chengde after the death of Wang Chengyuan's grandfather Wang Wujun
. He was Wang Shizhen's second son, with an older brother Wang Chengzong
and at least three younger brothers — Wang Chengtong (王承通), Wang Chengdi (王承迪), and Wang Chengrong (王承榮).
After Wang Shizhen died in 809
, Wang Chengzong took over control of the circuit but was initially denied imperial sanction to succeed Wang Shizhen. Wang Chengzong received such imperial sanction in 810
, however, after a failed imperial campaign against him. In 816
, at Wang Chengzong's request, Wang Chengyuan was made deputy governor. When the imperial government declared a general campaign against Wang Chengzong's former ally Li Shidao
the military governor of Pinglu Circuit (平盧, headquartered in modern Tai'an
, Shandong
), he advised Wang Chengzong to send 2,000 to aid the imperial campaign against Li. Wang Chengzong did not accept the advice on account of Wang Chengyuan's youth, but it was said that the army thereafter often looked to him for his opinions.
, Wang Chengzong died, and initially, his subordinates kept his death a secret. At that time, Wang Chengzong's two sons Wang Zhigan (王知感) and Wang Zhixin (王知信) were serving as hostage
s at the capital Chang'an
. The Chengde officers wanted one of their own to succeed Wang Chengzong, and Wang Chengzong's staff member Cui Sui (崔燧) declared an order in the name of Wang Wujun's wife Lady Li, the Lady of Liang, declaring Wang Chengyuan successor to Wang Chengzong. When the officers bowed to Wang Chengyuan, Wang Chengyuan initially tearfully declined and requested a consultation with the imperial eunuch monitor of the army. The monitor arrived and also urged him to accept the officers' submission. Wang, after receiving a promise from the officers that they would be loyal to the imperial cause, accepted — but took office using his title of commander of the army rather than acting military governor. He also secretly submitted a petition to Emperor Muzong
that the imperial government send a permanent replacement for him. In response, Emperor Muzong issued a number of military governor commissions involving Chengde and nearby circuits — transferring Tian Hongzheng
the military governor of nearby Weibo Circuit (魏博, headquartered in modern Handan
, Hebei
) to Chengde, making Wang Chengyuan the military governor of Yicheng Circuit (義成, headquartered in modern Anyang
, Henan
), transferring Liu Wu
the military governor of Yicheng to Zhaoyi Circuit (昭義, headquartered in modern Changzhi
, Shanxi
), transferring Li Su
the military governor of Wuning Circuit (武寧, headquartered in modern Xuzhou
, Jiangsu
) to Weibo, and making Tian Hongzheng's son Tian Bu
the military governor of Heyang Circuit (河陽, headquartered in modern Luoyang
, Henan
). Wang Chengzong was also made the prefect of Yicheng's capital prefecture Hua Prefecture (滑州).
When the imperial official Bo Qi (柏耆) arrived to declare the orders, the soldiers were initially clamoring and not willing to accept the orders. Wang Chengyuan urged them to accept, citing the example of how Li Shidao's officers had initially not allowed him to accept imperial orders, but later killed him and surrendered to imperial forces when they attacked. When some officers, led by Li Ji (李寂), nevertheless tried to keep him from leaving, he executed them. He soon departed Chengde and headed for Yicheng. Some of his staff members tried to carry valuable possession from Chengde, and he ordered them to leave such possessions at Chengde. Four brothers or cousins of Wang Chengyuans were commissioned as prefectural prefects, and four were commissioned as imperial officials. When Lady Li went to pay homage to Emperor Muzong, Emperor Muzong ordered a feast be held for her inside the palace and gave her much rewards.
After mutineers at Chengde, led by Wang Tingcou
, assassinated Tian Hongzheng in 821
, as part of the subsequent movement of military governors in a campaign against Wang Tingcou (which subsequently ended in failure), Wang Chengyuan was transferred to Fufang Circuit (鄜坊, headquartered in modern Yan'an
, Shaanxi
). On the way to Fufang, he went to Chang'an to pay homage to Emperor Muzong, who approved of his behavior and met him on several occasions. Soon thereafter, he was transferred to Fengxiang Circuit (鳳翔, headquartered in modern Baoji
, Shaanxi
). At that time, because Fengxiang Circuit's land was flat, Tufan forces often were able to invade without obstacles. Wang Chengyuan built a fort, Fort Linqian (臨汧城), at a key strategic point to try to control such incursions. He was subsequently created the Duke of Qi. He also built a city east of the circuit capital Fengxiang to house the merchants who often travelled through the circuit. When his grandmother Lady Li died early in the Taihe (太和) era (827
-835
) of Emperor Muzong's son Emperor Wenzong
, she was buried with much honor.
In 831
, Wang was transferred to Pinglu Circuit (which had been divided into three circuits and whose headquarters had by that point been moved to modern Weifang
, Shandong
). At that point, the salt monopoly that the imperial government imposed on most of the realm was not imposed in the region, and Wang offered that the salt sales be transferred to the imperial authorities for the salt monopoly. His offer was accepted, and was soon also applied to the other two circuits carved out of Pinglu (Tianping (天平, headquartered in modern Tai'an) and Yanhai (兗海, headquartered in modern Jining
, Shandong
)). It was said that Wang was lenient and gracious, and wherever he went, he governed well. He died in 834
while still serving as the military governor of Pinglu. He was given posthumous honors.
801
Year 801 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Births :* September 8 or September 9 – Ansgar, German monk and archbishop, known as The Apostle of the North Year 801 (DCCCI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian...
– February 3, 834), formally the Duke of Qi (岐公), was a general of the Chinese
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...
. His family had, for generations, controlled 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...
), but he declined the command of Chengde after the death of his older brother Wang Chengzong
Wang Chengzong
Wang Chengzong was a general of the Chinese Tang Dynasty who served a military governor of Chengde Circuit...
. He subsequently served as a general under imperial command until his death.
Before Wang Chengzong's death
Wang Chengyuan was born in 801801
Year 801 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Births :* September 8 or September 9 – Ansgar, German monk and archbishop, known as The Apostle of the North Year 801 (DCCCI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian...
, during the reign of Emperor Dezong
Emperor Dezong of Tang
Emperor Dezong of Tang , personally name Li Kuo , was an emperor of the Chinese Tang Dynasty and the oldest son of his father Emperor Daizong. His reign of 26 years was the third longest in the Tang dynasty...
. He was a son of Wang Shizhen
Wang Shizhen (Tang Dynasty)
Wang Shizhen , formally Prince Jingxiang of Qinghe , was a general of the Chinese Tang Dynasty who served as a military governor of Chengde Circuit and ruled it in a de facto independent manner from the imperial regime.- Background :It is not known when Wang Shizhen was born...
, who, around the time, took over as 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 Chengde after the death of Wang Chengyuan's grandfather Wang Wujun
Wang Wujun
Wang Wujun , courtesy name Yuanying , né Monuogan , formally Prince Zhonglie of Langye , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a long-time Jiedushi of Chengde Circuit during the reign of Emperor Dezong and ruling Chengde in a de facto independent manner...
. He was Wang Shizhen's second son, with an older brother Wang Chengzong
Wang Chengzong
Wang Chengzong was a general of the Chinese Tang Dynasty who served a military governor of Chengde Circuit...
and at least three younger brothers — Wang Chengtong (王承通), Wang Chengdi (王承迪), and Wang Chengrong (王承榮).
After Wang Shizhen died in 809
809
Year 809 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* Emperor Saga succeeds Emperor Heizei as emperor of Japan.* Nagabhatta is defeated in India.- Births :* date unknown...
, Wang Chengzong took over control of the circuit but was initially denied imperial sanction to succeed Wang Shizhen. Wang Chengzong received such imperial sanction in 810
810
Year 810 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Byzantine Empire :* October 1 – A man with a sword makes an attempt on emperor Nicephorus I's life...
, however, after a failed imperial campaign against him. In 816
816
Year 816 was a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Frankish king Louis the Pious is crowned emperor by Pope Stephen IV.- Religion :...
, at Wang Chengzong's request, Wang Chengyuan was made deputy governor. When the imperial government declared a general campaign against Wang Chengzong's former ally Li Shidao
Li Shidao
Li Shidao was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who, as the successor to his brother Li Shigu, ruled Pinglu Circuit in a de facto independent manner from the imperial government...
the military governor of Pinglu Circuit (平盧, headquartered in modern Tai'an
Tai'an
Tai'an is a prefecture-level city in western Shandong province, People's Republic of China.Centered around Mount Tai, the city borders the provincial capital of Jinan to the north, Laiwu to the northeast, Zibo to the east, Linyi to the southeast, Liaocheng to the extreme west and Jining to the south...
, Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
), he advised Wang Chengzong to send 2,000 to aid the imperial campaign against Li. Wang Chengzong did not accept the advice on account of Wang Chengyuan's youth, but it was said that the army thereafter often looked to him for his opinions.
After Wang Chengzong's death
In winter 820820
Year 820 was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* Tahir, the son of a slave, is rewarded with the governorship of Khurasan for supporting the caliphate...
, Wang Chengzong died, and initially, his subordinates kept his death a secret. At that time, Wang Chengzong's two sons Wang Zhigan (王知感) and Wang Zhixin (王知信) were serving as hostage
Hostage
A hostage is a person or entity which is held by a captor. The original definition meant that this was handed over by one of two belligerent parties to the other or seized as security for the carrying out of an agreement, or as a preventive measure against certain acts of war...
s at 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...
. The Chengde officers wanted one of their own to succeed Wang Chengzong, and Wang Chengzong's staff member Cui Sui (崔燧) declared an order in the name of Wang Wujun's wife Lady Li, the Lady of Liang, declaring Wang Chengyuan successor to Wang Chengzong. When the officers bowed to Wang Chengyuan, Wang Chengyuan initially tearfully declined and requested a consultation with the imperial eunuch monitor of the army. The monitor arrived and also urged him to accept the officers' submission. Wang, after receiving a promise from the officers that they would be loyal to the imperial cause, accepted — but took office using his title of commander of the army rather than acting military governor. He also secretly submitted a petition to Emperor Muzong
Emperor Muzong of Tang
Emperor Muzong of Tang , personal name Li Heng , né Li You , was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China. He reigned from 821 to 824. Emperor Muzong was the son of Emperor Xianzong...
that the imperial government send a permanent replacement for him. In response, Emperor Muzong issued a number of military governor commissions involving Chengde and nearby circuits — transferring Tian Hongzheng
Tian Hongzheng
Tian Hongzheng , né Tian Xing , courtesy name Andao , formally Duke Zhongmin of Yi , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty...
the military governor of nearby 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...
) to Chengde, making Wang Chengyuan 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...
), transferring Liu Wu
Liu Wu
Liu Wu , formally the Prince of Pengcheng , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, whose killing of his superior, the warlord Li Shidao, and subsequent submission to the imperial government, were the high point of Emperor Xianzong's campaign to end warlordism...
the military governor of Yicheng to 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....
), transferring Li Su
Li Su
Li Su was a military general serving under the warlord Dong Zhuo during the late Han Dynasty era of Chinese history.Li Su originally served as a Commandant of Cavalry under Dong Zhuo. He later assisted Lü Bu, who was from the same village as him, in the assassination of Dong Zhuo...
the military governor 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...
) to Weibo, and making Tian Hongzheng's son Tian Bu
Tian Bu
Tian Bu , courtesy name Dunli , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. He was the son of the general Tian Hongzheng, and after Tian Hongzheng's death at the hands of Chengde Circuit mutineers was put in command of Tian Hongzheng's old command Weibo Circuit Tian Bu (田布) (785 –...
the military governor of 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...
). Wang Chengzong was also made the prefect of Yicheng's capital prefecture Hua Prefecture (滑州).
When the imperial official Bo Qi (柏耆) arrived to declare the orders, the soldiers were initially clamoring and not willing to accept the orders. Wang Chengyuan urged them to accept, citing the example of how Li Shidao's officers had initially not allowed him to accept imperial orders, but later killed him and surrendered to imperial forces when they attacked. When some officers, led by Li Ji (李寂), nevertheless tried to keep him from leaving, he executed them. He soon departed Chengde and headed for Yicheng. Some of his staff members tried to carry valuable possession from Chengde, and he ordered them to leave such possessions at Chengde. Four brothers or cousins of Wang Chengyuans were commissioned as prefectural prefects, and four were commissioned as imperial officials. When Lady Li went to pay homage to Emperor Muzong, Emperor Muzong ordered a feast be held for her inside the palace and gave her much rewards.
After mutineers at Chengde, led by Wang Tingcou
Wang Tingcou
Wang Tingcou , formally the Duke of Taiyuan , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who, in 821, during the reign of Emperor Muzong, took over control of Chengde Circuit and thereafter ruled it in a de facto independent manner from the imperial government...
, assassinated Tian Hongzheng in 821
821
Year 821 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* Tang Mu Zong becomes emperor of China.* First recorded session of the Parliament of Croatia- Byzantine Empire :...
, as part of the subsequent movement of military governors in a campaign against Wang Tingcou (which subsequently ended in failure), Wang Chengyuan was transferred to Fufang Circuit (鄜坊, headquartered in modern Yan'an
Yan'an
Yan'an , is a prefecture-level city in the Shanbei region of Shaanxi province in China, administering several counties, including Zhidan County , which served as the Chinese communist capital before the city of Yan'an proper took that role....
, 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...
). On the way to Fufang, he went to Chang'an to pay homage to Emperor Muzong, who approved of his behavior and met him on several occasions. Soon thereafter, he was transferred to Fengxiang Circuit (鳳翔, headquartered in modern Baoji
Baoji
Baoji is a prefecture-level city in Shaanxi province, China.-Geography:The prefecture-level city of Baoji has a population of 3,716,731 according to the 2010 Chinese census, inhabiting an area of . The city itself has a population of approximately 800,000. Surrounded on three sides by hills,...
, 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...
). At that time, because Fengxiang Circuit's land was flat, Tufan forces often were able to invade without obstacles. Wang Chengyuan built a fort, Fort Linqian (臨汧城), at a key strategic point to try to control such incursions. He was subsequently created the Duke of Qi. He also built a city east of the circuit capital Fengxiang to house the merchants who often travelled through the circuit. When his grandmother Lady Li died early in the Taihe (太和) era (827
827
Year 827 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Beginning of the invasion of Sicily by the Aghlabid dynasty of Ifriqiya . The campaign in the island against Byzantium will take 51 years...
-835
835
Year 835 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Ragnar Lodbrok rises to power ....
) of Emperor Muzong's son 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...
, she was buried with much honor.
In 831
831
Year 831 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* In this year, an Uyghur Turk sues the son of a Chinese Tang Dynasty grand general who had failed to repay a debt of 11 million government-issued copper coins...
, Wang was transferred to Pinglu Circuit (which had been divided into three circuits and whose headquarters had by that point been moved to modern Weifang
Weifang
Weifang is a prefecture-level city in central Shandong province, People's Republic of China. It borders Dongying to the northwest, Zibo to the west, Linyi to the southwest, Rizhao to the south, Qingdao to the east, and looks out to the Laizhou Bay to the north.-History:Weifang is a historical city...
, Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
). At that point, the salt monopoly that the imperial government imposed on most of the realm was not imposed in the region, and Wang offered that the salt sales be transferred to the imperial authorities for the salt monopoly. His offer was accepted, and was soon also applied to the other two circuits carved out of Pinglu (Tianping (天平, headquartered in modern Tai'an) and Yanhai (兗海, headquartered in modern Jining
Jining, Shandong
Jining is a prefecture-level city in southwestern Shandong province, People's Republic of China. It borders Heze to the southwest, Zaozhuang to the southeast, Tai'an to the northeast, and the provinces of Henan and Jiangsu to the northwest and south respectively...
, Shandong
Shandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
)). It was said that Wang was lenient and gracious, and wherever he went, he governed well. He died in 834
834
Year 834 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The Vikings first raid Dorestad ....
while still serving as the military governor of Pinglu. He was given posthumous honors.