Wang Fu
Encyclopedia
Wang Fu was an official of Shu Han
during the Three Kingdoms
era of Chinese history
.
, but when Liu Bei
took over the lands of Shu, he became the guard of Mianzhu Pass (綿竹關) under Liu Bei's command. Later, he followed Liu Bei in his campaign against Eastern Wu
, after Liu Bei's disastrous defeat in the Battle of Xiaoting
, he was killed in Zigui, attempting to protect Liu Bei as the latter fled from the city when Eastern Wu troops took the city.
's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms
is different from his one in actual history.
During the time when Guan Yu
was placed in charge of Jing Province (present day Hubei
and Hunan
), Wang served under the renowned general as an army commandant. In 219, after Guan Yu defeated Cao Ren
and conquered the city of Fancheng
, Wang warned his superior about a possible backdoor attack from Lü Meng
. However, Guan Yu believed the defense preparations were apt and did not heed Wang's advice.
True to Wang's warning, Lü Meng's troops crossed the Xunyang River
into Jing Province disguised as merchants. Shi Ren and Mi Fang
, two of Guan Yu's subjects, promptly surrendered two key positions, Gong'an
and Nan Commandery (present day Jiangling, Hubei), to the enemy. Guan, sandwiched on both sides by two enemies, had to seek temporary refuge in Maicheng (southeast of present day Dangyang
, Hubei).
As the food store dwindled and relief troops were not seen, the regretful Guan then asked Wang for solutions to the crisis but the latter replied, "Even if Jiang Ziya
were to come alive, he would not be able to save this situation." In a desperate attempt, Guan Yu and his son Guan Ping
led a diminutive force and headed west in a bid to reunite with Liu Bei
in Yi Province (present day Sichuan
and Guizhou
). Wang and Zhou Cang
swore to remain behind to defend Maicheng to their deaths.
However, Guan Yu and Guan Ping were intercepted by Sun Quan's forces and captured. Both were promptly executed. In Maicheng, Wang was telling Zhou Cang about a vision of blood-stained Guan Yu in a nightmare he had when enemy soldiers came to the city with the severed heads of Guan Yu and Guan Ping. With a cry, Wang then threw himself from the city walls and died.
Shu Han
Shu Han was one of the three states competing for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period, after the fall of the Han Dynasty. The state was based on areas around Sichuan, which was then known as Shu...
during the Three Kingdoms
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms period was a period in Chinese history, part of an era of disunity called the "Six Dynasties" following immediately the loss of de facto power of the Han Dynasty rulers. In a strict academic sense it refers to the period between the foundation of the state of Wei in 220 and the...
era of Chinese history
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...
.
Life
Wang Fu was said to have a dignified appearance, and was excellent in evaluating people and in the political scene. He first served Liu ZhangLiu Zhang (warlord)
Liu Zhang was a warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He became governor of Yi Province , succeeding his father Liu Yan and ruled the region until 214, when he surrendered to Liu Bei...
, but when Liu Bei
Liu Bei
Liu Bei , also known as Liu Xuande, was a warlord, military general and later the founding emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history...
took over the lands of Shu, he became the guard of Mianzhu Pass (綿竹關) under Liu Bei's command. Later, he followed Liu Bei in his campaign against Eastern Wu
Eastern Wu
Eastern Wu, also known as Sun Wu, was one the three states competing for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period after the fall of the Han Dynasty. It was based in the Jiangnan region of China...
, after Liu Bei's disastrous defeat in the Battle of Xiaoting
Battle of Xiaoting
The Battle of Xiaoting, also known as the Battle of Yiling and the Battle of Yiling and Xiaoting, was fought between the states of Eastern Wu and Shu Han in 222 during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
, he was killed in Zigui, attempting to protect Liu Bei as the latter fled from the city when Eastern Wu troops took the city.
In fiction
Wang's fate in Luo GuanzhongLuo Guanzhong
Luo Ben , better known by his style name Luo Guanzhong , was a Chinese writer of the early Ming Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was also known as Huhai Sanren...
's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel based on the events in the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history, starting in 169 and ending with the reunification of the land in...
is different from his one in actual history.
During the time when Guan Yu
Guan Yu
Guan Yu was a general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han Dynasty of China. He played a significant role in the civil war that led to the collapse of the Han Dynasty and the establishment of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period, of which Liu Bei was the...
was placed in charge of Jing Province (present day Hubei
Hubei
' Hupeh) is a province in Central China. The name of the province means "north of the lake", referring to its position north of Lake Dongting...
and Hunan
Hunan
' is a province of South-Central China, located to the south of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and south of Lake Dongting...
), Wang served under the renowned general as an army commandant. In 219, after Guan Yu defeated Cao Ren
Cao Ren
Cao Ren was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He played a significant part in assisting Cao Cao in the civil wars leading to the end of the Han Dynasty...
and conquered the city of Fancheng
Fancheng
Fancheng District is a district of Xiangfan, Hubei, China.-History:Fancheng was an ancient Chinese city in Hubei, situated on the northern side of the Han River, opposite Xiangyang on the southern side of the river...
, Wang warned his superior about a possible backdoor attack from Lü Meng
Lü Meng
Lü Meng was a military general serving under the warlord Sun Quan during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He served as the commanding general in the invasion of Jing Province that led to the death of Guan Yu.-Early life:Lü Meng was born in Fupo, Runan Commandery in 178...
. However, Guan Yu believed the defense preparations were apt and did not heed Wang's advice.
True to Wang's warning, Lü Meng's troops crossed the Xunyang River
Xunyang River
Xunyang River is a section of Yangtze River north of Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, China.Jiujiang had ancient names like Chaisang and Xunyang , thus the section of Yangtze River passing Jiujiang was thus named. Today, there is one Xunyang District in Jiujiang....
into Jing Province disguised as merchants. Shi Ren and Mi Fang
Mi Fang
Mi Fang was an official serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He was also the younger brother of Mi Zhu, who also served Liu Bei. In 219, Mi Fang surrendered to Sun Quan, directly resulting in the loss of Jing Province and the...
, two of Guan Yu's subjects, promptly surrendered two key positions, Gong'an
Gong'an County
Gong'an County is a county in the municipal region of Jingzhou , Hubei Province.-Administration:The county oversees 14 towns and two townships as of 2005...
and Nan Commandery (present day Jiangling, Hubei), to the enemy. Guan, sandwiched on both sides by two enemies, had to seek temporary refuge in Maicheng (southeast of present day Dangyang
Dangyang
Dangyang City , in Hubei Province, China, lies 70 km east of the Gezhouba Dam on the Yangtze River. During the Western Han Dynasty . Emperor Jing of Han established an administration in Dangyang on an area of 2000 km²...
, Hubei).
As the food store dwindled and relief troops were not seen, the regretful Guan then asked Wang for solutions to the crisis but the latter replied, "Even if Jiang Ziya
Jiang Ziya
Jiang Ziya was a Chinese historical and legendary figure who resided next to the Weishui River about 3,000 years ago. A sage and military strategist, Jiang Ziya was called upon by King Wen of Zhou to serve as prime minister...
were to come alive, he would not be able to save this situation." In a desperate attempt, Guan Yu and his son Guan Ping
Guan Ping
Guan Ping was the oldest son of the military general Guan Yu and older brother of Guan Xing. He served under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history...
led a diminutive force and headed west in a bid to reunite with Liu Bei
Liu Bei
Liu Bei , also known as Liu Xuande, was a warlord, military general and later the founding emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history...
in Yi Province (present day Sichuan
Sichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
and Guizhou
Guizhou
' is a province of the People's Republic of China located in the southwestern part of the country. Its provincial capital city is Guiyang.- History :...
). Wang and Zhou Cang
Zhou Cang
Zhou Cang is a fictional character in Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms.-Biography:A strong warrior with a dark face and a wiry beard, Zhou became caught up in the Yellow Turban Rebellion and joined the rebels. It was during this time that he first met Guan Yu, who...
swore to remain behind to defend Maicheng to their deaths.
However, Guan Yu and Guan Ping were intercepted by Sun Quan's forces and captured. Both were promptly executed. In Maicheng, Wang was telling Zhou Cang about a vision of blood-stained Guan Yu in a nightmare he had when enemy soldiers came to the city with the severed heads of Guan Yu and Guan Ping. With a cry, Wang then threw himself from the city walls and died.