Wen Pin
Encyclopedia
Wen Ping, style name
Zhongye (仲業), was a military general during the late Han Dynasty
and Three Kingdoms
era of Chinese history
. During his tenure as a general under the warlord Cao Cao
, he was credited with defeating Guan Yu
and defending Cao's interest in Jiangxia
from the eastern warlord, Sun Quan
.
, he originally served under the warlord and Han bureaucrat, Liu Biao
, and was tasked with defending the Northern frontier. When Liu Biao's successor, Liu Cong, submitted to Cao's authority, Wen was hesitant to surrender, and was asked by Cao why he was so late to yield. Wen promptly replied Cao that he was indeed considering resistance because he was tasked by Liao Biao to do so, and it was not his plan to yield. Cao was impressed by Wen's respond and gave him back the power to command a portion of his own Jing Province troops.
against Liu Bei
, and routed the latter, but Liu was able to flee and formed an alliance with the eastern warlord, Sun Quan. During the subsequent Battle of Red Cliffs
against the combined forces of Liu and Sun, the forces of Cao Cao suffered a total disaster, as a result, Wen was granted the command of a portion of the northern troops, made the Governor of Jiangxia, and was asked to stay in the border to wrestle over the area for Cao.
Wen was made the lowest rank of Marquis and supported Cao Ren
during the Battle of Jiangling
when Sun's commander, Zhou Yu
, led Sun forces into the heart of Jing Province. While Liu's trusted general, Guan Yu, attempted to cut Cao Ren's connection, Wen and his colleague, Yue Jin
, defeated Guan at Xiukou, and Wen was granted the title of "Marquis of Yanshou," and promoted to the rank of General Who Strikes Rebels. Motivated by his victory, Wen further overtook Guan's supply depot at Han Ford; then caught Guan on Han River, and burned down most of his warships. At the time, Wen and Yue successfully secured the supply and communication lines of Jiangling; however, the casualties on Cao Cao forces were beyond affordable level after nearly a year of intense fighting, so Cao admitted defeat and ordered his generals to forfeit Jiangling. Thus, Wen entered into a defensive position in the eastern flank to resist Sun's general, Cheng Pu
, who assumed the position of Governor of Jiangxia under Sun.
, who ascended the throne and formally established the Kingdom of Wei. Following the outbreak of the Liu-Sun conflict after Sun captured and executed Guan Yu and seized southern Jing Province, Cao Pi formulated a three-pronged attack on Sun, whose forces were overstretched and diluted. Wen was granted the title of Marquis of Chang'an and ordered to assist Zhang He
and Cao Zhen
on their attack on Jiangling. Like last battle of Jiangling, Cao forces enjoyed numerical advantage, but this time, they were on the offensive; however, the progress again did not go well because the defenders were determined to fight back, and the siege became a long one. Several months later, enemy reinforcements attempted to get into Jiangling, a branch of Sun's navy entered Mian River, but Wen was able to hold Miankou (a choke-point of Mian River) with his warships. Although the attack on Jiangling was canceled when additional enemy relief forces arrived the battlefield, Wen's performance was recognized as he was promoted to Rear General. However, the campaign was not aborted just because they could not seize one city; Wen was ordered to lead his troops to join Cao Pi, who was personally heading toward the city of Stones, which was guarded by Sun's general, Xu Sheng
. Obscured by heavy fog, Wen and Cao fell victim to Xu's plot when the latter erected straw figures and flags along the city walls. Believing Xu had already set up defense and gathered a grand force with geographic advantage, Wei forces retreated, and was pursued by Sun Shao
, who was able to capture the bulk of Cao Wei army's baggage.
in the process, but was repelled by Zhu Ran
, who came to Pan's rescue.
He was succeed by his adopted son, Wen Xiu, because his biological son died before him.
Chinese style name
A Chinese style name, sometimes also known as a courtesy name , is a given name to be used later in life. After 20 years of age, the zì is assigned in place of one's given name as a symbol of adulthood and respect...
Zhongye (仲業), was a military general during the late Han Dynasty
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
and 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...
. During his tenure as a general under the warlord Cao Cao
Cao Cao
Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled...
, he was credited with defeating 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...
and defending Cao's interest in Jiangxia
Jiangxia
Jiangxia District is one of the administrative districts within the City of Wuhan. Jiangxia district has an area of 2,009 km² and a population of 680,000....
from the eastern warlord, Sun Quan
Sun Quan
Sun Quan , son of Sun Jian, formally Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He ruled from 222 to 229 as King of Wu and from 229 to 252 as Emperor of Wu....
.
Early life
Wen was a native of NanyangNanyang
Nanyang may refer to:* Nanyang is a Chinese term denoting the greater Nusantara region including Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, but excluding other Southeast Asian nations, especially the other nations on the Indochinese peninsula-China:* Nanyang, Henan , prefecture-level...
, he originally served under the warlord and Han bureaucrat, Liu Biao
Liu Biao
Liu Biao , style name Jingsheng , was a warlord and the governor of Jing Province during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was a member of the extended family of the Han Dynasty emperors...
, and was tasked with defending the Northern frontier. When Liu Biao's successor, Liu Cong, submitted to Cao's authority, Wen was hesitant to surrender, and was asked by Cao why he was so late to yield. Wen promptly replied Cao that he was indeed considering resistance because he was tasked by Liao Biao to do so, and it was not his plan to yield. Cao was impressed by Wen's respond and gave him back the power to command a portion of his own Jing Province troops.
Service under Cao Cao
He participated at the Battle of ChangbanBattle of Changban
The Battle of Changban was a battle fought between the warlords Cao Cao and Liu Bei in 208 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
against 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...
, and routed the latter, but Liu was able to flee and formed an alliance with the eastern warlord, Sun Quan. During the subsequent Battle of Red Cliffs
Battle of Red Cliffs
The Battle of Red Cliffs, otherwise known as the Battle of Chibi, was a decisive battle at the end of the Han Dynasty, immediately prior to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. It was fought in the winter of 208/9 AD between the allied forces of the southern warlords Liu Bei and Sun Quan...
against the combined forces of Liu and Sun, the forces of Cao Cao suffered a total disaster, as a result, Wen was granted the command of a portion of the northern troops, made the Governor of Jiangxia, and was asked to stay in the border to wrestle over the area for Cao.
Wen was made the lowest rank of Marquis and supported 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...
during the Battle of Jiangling
Battle of Jiangling
The Battle of Jiangling was fought by the allied forces of Sun Quan and Liu Bei against Cao Cao during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
when Sun's commander, Zhou Yu
Zhou Yu
Zhou Yu was a military general and strategist who served his close friend, the warlord Sun Ce, during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history...
, led Sun forces into the heart of Jing Province. While Liu's trusted general, Guan Yu, attempted to cut Cao Ren's connection, Wen and his colleague, Yue Jin
Yue Jin
Yue Jin was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty of China. He was noted as much for his short stature as for his valor and ferocity on the battlefield...
, defeated Guan at Xiukou, and Wen was granted the title of "Marquis of Yanshou," and promoted to the rank of General Who Strikes Rebels. Motivated by his victory, Wen further overtook Guan's supply depot at Han Ford; then caught Guan on Han River, and burned down most of his warships. At the time, Wen and Yue successfully secured the supply and communication lines of Jiangling; however, the casualties on Cao Cao forces were beyond affordable level after nearly a year of intense fighting, so Cao admitted defeat and ordered his generals to forfeit Jiangling. Thus, Wen entered into a defensive position in the eastern flank to resist Sun's general, Cheng Pu
Cheng Pu
Cheng Pu was a military general serving under the warlord Sun family of Eastern Wu for three generations during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history.-Early service under Sun Jian:...
, who assumed the position of Governor of Jiangxia under Sun.
Service under Cao Pi
After the death of Cao Cao, Wen Pin went on to serve Cao PiCao Pi
Cao Pi , formally known as Emperor Wen of Wei, was the first emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Born in Qiao County, Pei Commandery , he was the second son of the late Han Dynasty warlord Cao Cao.Cao Pi, like his father, was a poet...
, who ascended the throne and formally established the Kingdom of Wei. Following the outbreak of the Liu-Sun conflict after Sun captured and executed Guan Yu and seized southern Jing Province, Cao Pi formulated a three-pronged attack on Sun, whose forces were overstretched and diluted. Wen was granted the title of Marquis of Chang'an and ordered to assist Zhang He
Zhang He
Zhang He was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty era of Chinese history. He continued serving the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period until his death....
and Cao Zhen
Cao Zhen
Cao Zhen was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He served the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. He was also a distant nephew of Cao Cao, though the latter treated him like a son. Cao Zhen participated in many...
on their attack on Jiangling. Like last battle of Jiangling, Cao forces enjoyed numerical advantage, but this time, they were on the offensive; however, the progress again did not go well because the defenders were determined to fight back, and the siege became a long one. Several months later, enemy reinforcements attempted to get into Jiangling, a branch of Sun's navy entered Mian River, but Wen was able to hold Miankou (a choke-point of Mian River) with his warships. Although the attack on Jiangling was canceled when additional enemy relief forces arrived the battlefield, Wen's performance was recognized as he was promoted to Rear General. However, the campaign was not aborted just because they could not seize one city; Wen was ordered to lead his troops to join Cao Pi, who was personally heading toward the city of Stones, which was guarded by Sun's general, Xu Sheng
Xu Sheng
Xu Sheng , style name Wenxiang , was a military general of Eastern Wu during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He fought in at least 5 wars for the southern regime during his lifetime...
. Obscured by heavy fog, Wen and Cao fell victim to Xu's plot when the latter erected straw figures and flags along the city walls. Believing Xu had already set up defense and gathered a grand force with geographic advantage, Wei forces retreated, and was pursued by Sun Shao
Sun Shao
Sun Shao, born Yu Shao , style name Gongli , was a military general of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He is presumed by some to be the adopted son of Sun Ce. His uncle, Sun He was granted the surname "Sun" by Sun Jian, and Sun Shao is presumed to have been given his...
, who was able to capture the bulk of Cao Wei army's baggage.
Late life
Wen's last battle occurred at Shiyang, where he was surrounded by Sun's 50,000 strong army. He firmly defended his smaller army for 20 days, and pursued his opponent when the latter retreated. He routed Pan ZhangPan Zhang
Pan Zhang was a military general of Eastern Wu during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. Although an active general with high rank, he was known to desire wealth and treasure, and to dress himself in a gaudy fashion...
in the process, but was repelled by Zhu Ran
Zhu Ran
Zhu Ran was a military general of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. Despite being a childhood friend of the first emperor of Eastern Wu, Sun Quan, he was never tasked with important position nor assignment before Lü Meng's invasion of southern Jing Province in 219,...
, who came to Pan's rescue.
He was succeed by his adopted son, Wen Xiu, because his biological son died before him.