Wang Jingchong
Encyclopedia
Wang Jingchong (847
–883
), courtesy name Meng'an (孟安), formally Prince Zhongmu of Changshan (常山忠穆王), was a general of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
who followed a line of his ancestors in ruling Chengde Circuit (成德, headquartered in modern Shijiazhuang
, Hebei
) as its military governor (Jiedushi
) in de facto independence from the imperial government.
, during the reign of Emperor Xuānzong
. At that time, his grandfather Wang Yuankui
ruled Chengde Circuit in de facto independence from the imperial government, but maintained a good relationship with the imperial government and largely followed imperial orders; he also married a Tang imperial princess (Princess Shou'an, a granddaughter of Emperor Xuānzong's father Emperor Xianzong
. Wang Jingchong's father Wang Shaoding
was the oldest son of Wang Yuankui's, by Princess Shou'an, and served as Wang Yuankui's deputy. Wang Jingchong himself, while not the oldest among his brothers (he had at least one older brother, Wang Jingyin (王景胤), and at least one younger brother, Wang Jingyu (王景敔)), was the oldest (or only) son of Wang Shaoding's wife, and therefore viewed as the eventual heir of Wang Shaoding.
Wang Yuankui died in 855
, and Wang Shaoding succeeded him, with imperial sanction. Wang Shaoding, however, was said to mistreat his people and waste his time on feasts, leading to the soldiers plotting rebellion. Before any plot came to fruition, however, Wang Shaoding died of illness, and the soldiers supported his younger brother (and Wang Jingchong's uncle) Wang Shaoyi
as his successor. Emperor Xuānzong approved the succession.
During Wang Shaoyi's military governorship, Wang Jingchong served as the acting commandant of Chengde's capital Zhen Prefecture (鎮州), as well as the commander of the army. In 866
, Wang Shaoyi grew ill. He summoned Wang Jingchong and stated to Wang Jingchong:
Wang Shaoyi died after speaking. Emperor Xuānzong's son and successor Emperor Yizong
subsequently approved the succession and made Wang Jingchong first acting military governor, and then military governor later in 866.
at Xu Prefecture (徐州, in modern Xuzhou
, Jiangsu
), Wang contributed troops to the imperial cause, and after Pang's rebellion was put down, Wang was created the Baron of Taiyuan. It was said that when Princess Shou'an died, Wang observed a mourning period appropriately, and was praised by the imperial officials. After he was subsequently formally recalled to active service, he was given the honorific title of acting Sikong (司空, one of the Three Excellencies
).
In 870
, when He Quanhao
the military governor of neighboring Weibo Circuit (魏博, headquartered in modern Handan
, Hebei
) was killed in a mutiny, the Weibo soldiers supported the officer Han Junxiong
to succeed He Quanhao. It was said that because Wang also submitted a petition on Han's behalf that Emperor Yizong approved of Han's takeover. Later in the year, Emperor Yizong bestowed the honorific chancellor designation of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事) on him.
, Emperor Yizong died and was succeeded by his son Emperor Xizong
. Emperor Xizong bestowed a number of honorific titles on military governors, and Wang received the greater honorific chancellor title of Zhongshu Ling (中書令). In 875
, Wang's honorific chancellor title was changed to Shizhong (侍中). During this period, he was also successively created the Duke of Zhao and then the Prince of Changshan. Also during this time, his mother Lady of Qin died, but he was then formally recalled to active service.
In 880
, the agrarian rebel Huang Chao
captured the imperial capital Chang'an
, forced Emperor Yizong to flee, and established his own state of Qi as its emperor. Wang's neighbor, Wang Chucun
the military governor of Yiwu Circuit (義武, headquartered in modern Baoding
, Hebei
), upon hearing the news of Chang'an's fall, mobilized all of Yiwu's troops and headed for Chang'an, subsequently participating in a major campaign against Huang's Qi state on Tang's behalf. Wang Jingchong sent troops to accompany Wang Chucun on his campaign, although, unlike Wang Chucun, he did not personally attend to the campaign. However, he often sent messengers to Emperor Xizong, who had fled to Xichuan Circuit (西川, headquartered in modern Chengdu
, Sichuan
) by this point, to greet the emperor and to submit tributes. After Huang's Qi state was destroyed, Wang Jingchong was thus given the honorific title of Taiwei (太尉, also one of the Three Excellencies
, but now no longer acting).
Wang Jingchong died in 883
. The soldiers supported his nine-year-old son Wang Rong
as his successor, and the imperial government, then in disarray, subsequently approved.
847
Year 847 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Bari is captured by the Saracens....
–883
883
Year 883 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Oldest known mention of the city of Duisburg.* Monte Cassino is sacked and burned down by the Saracens....
), courtesy name Meng'an (孟安), formally Prince Zhongmu of Changshan (常山忠穆王), 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...
who followed a line of his ancestors in ruling 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...
) as its 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...
) in de facto independence from the imperial government.
Background
Wang Jingchong was born in 847847
Year 847 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Bari is captured by the Saracens....
, during the reign of 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...
. At that time, his grandfather 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...
ruled Chengde Circuit in de facto independence from the imperial government, but maintained a good relationship with the imperial government and largely followed imperial orders; he also married a Tang imperial princess (Princess Shou'an, a granddaughter of Emperor Xuānzong's father Emperor Xianzong
Emperor Xianzong of Tang
Emperor Xianzong of Tang , personal name Li Chun , né Li Chun , was an emperor of the Chinese Tang Dynasty...
. Wang Jingchong's father Wang Shaoding
Wang Shaoding
Wang Shaoding , courtesy name Sixian , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, briefly ruling Chengde Circuit in de facto independence from the imperial government as military governor .- Background :It is not known when Wang Shaoding was born...
was the oldest son of Wang Yuankui's, by Princess Shou'an, and served as Wang Yuankui's deputy. Wang Jingchong himself, while not the oldest among his brothers (he had at least one older brother, Wang Jingyin (王景胤), and at least one younger brother, Wang Jingyu (王景敔)), was the oldest (or only) son of Wang Shaoding's wife, and therefore viewed as the eventual heir of Wang Shaoding.
Wang Yuankui died in 855
855
Year 855 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Louis II succeeds Lothar as Western Emperor...
, and Wang Shaoding succeeded him, with imperial sanction. Wang Shaoding, however, was said to mistreat his people and waste his time on feasts, leading to the soldiers plotting rebellion. Before any plot came to fruition, however, Wang Shaoding died of illness, and the soldiers supported his younger brother (and Wang Jingchong's uncle) Wang Shaoyi
Wang Shaoyi
Wang Shaoyi , formally the Count of Taiyuan , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who ruled Chengde Circuit in de facto independence from the imperial government as its military governor .- Background :It is not known when Wang Shaoyi was born...
as his successor. Emperor Xuānzong approved the succession.
During Wang Shaoyi's military governorship, Wang Jingchong served as the acting commandant of Chengde's capital Zhen Prefecture (鎮州), as well as the commander of the army. In 866
866
Year 866 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Asia :* Fujiwara no Yoshifusa becomes regent of Japan, starting the Fujiwara regentship.- Europe :...
, Wang Shaoyi grew ill. He summoned Wang Jingchong and stated to Wang Jingchong:
Wang Shaoyi died after speaking. Emperor Xuānzong's son and successor Emperor Yizong
Emperor Yizong of Tang
Emperor Yizong of Tang , né Li Wen , later changed to Li Cui , was an emperor of the Tang dynasty of China. He reigned from 859 to 873. Yizong was the eldest son of Emperor Xuānzong...
subsequently approved the succession and made Wang Jingchong first acting military governor, and then military governor later in 866.
During Emperor Yizong's reign
It was said that the imperial government had a good relationship with Wang Jingchong since he was the grandson of a princess. During the rebellion of Pang XunPang Xun
Pang Xun was the leader of a major rebellion, by soldiers from Xu Prefecture , against the rule of Emperor Yizong of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, from 868 to 869...
at Xu Prefecture (徐州, 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...
), Wang contributed troops to the imperial cause, and after Pang's rebellion was put down, Wang was created the Baron of Taiyuan. It was said that when Princess Shou'an died, Wang observed a mourning period appropriately, and was praised by the imperial officials. After he was subsequently formally recalled to active service, he was given the honorific title of acting Sikong (司空, one of the Three Excellencies
Three Excellencies
The Three Ducal Ministers , also translated as the Three Dukes, Three Excellencies, or the Three Lords, was the collective name for the three highest officials in ancient China...
).
In 870
870
Year 870 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Prague Castle is founded....
, when He Quanhao
He Quanhao
He Quanhao 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 from 866 to 870 as its military governor , although he assisted the imperial government in suppressing Pang Xun's rebellion.-...
the military governor of neighboring 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...
) was killed in a mutiny, the Weibo soldiers supported the officer Han Junxiong
Han Yunzhong
Han Yunzhong , né Han Junxiong , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty who seized control of Weibo Circuit in a mutiny and subsequently ruled it as its military governor in de facto independence from the imperial government.- Background :Han Junxiong was born in 814, during the reign...
to succeed He Quanhao. It was said that because Wang also submitted a petition on Han's behalf that Emperor Yizong approved of Han's takeover. Later in the year, Emperor Yizong bestowed the honorific chancellor designation of Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事) on him.
During Emperor Xizong's reign
In 873873
Year 873 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* The Vikings raid Dorestad.* Al-Andalus: Second uprising of Toledo due to ethnic tensions in two years.- Asia :...
, Emperor Yizong died and was succeeded by his son Emperor Xizong
Emperor Xizong of Tang
Emperor Xizong of Tang , né Li Yan , later name changed to Li Xuan , was an emperor of the Tang dynasty of China. He reigned from 873 to 888. He was the fifth son of his predecessor Emperor Yizong and was the elder brother of his successor Emperor Zhaozong...
. Emperor Xizong bestowed a number of honorific titles on military governors, and Wang received the greater honorific chancellor title of Zhongshu Ling (中書令). In 875
875
Year 875 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* December 29 – Charles the Bald, king of West Francia, is crowned emperor....
, Wang's honorific chancellor title was changed to Shizhong (侍中). During this period, he was also successively created the Duke of Zhao and then the Prince of Changshan. Also during this time, his mother Lady of Qin died, but he was then formally recalled to active service.
In 880
880
Year 880 was a leap year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Religion :* Pope John VIII issues the bull Industriae Tuae, creating an independent ecclesiastical province in Great Moravia with Archbishop Saint Methodius as its head...
, the agrarian rebel Huang Chao
Huang Chao
Huang Chao was the leader of the Huang Chao Rebellion , known in mainland China as the Huang Chao Revolution in China that seriously weakened the once mighty Tang Dynasty of China...
captured the imperial 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...
, forced Emperor Yizong to flee, and established his own state of Qi as its emperor. Wang's neighbor, Wang Chucun
Wang Chucun
Wang Chucun was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, who controlled Yiwu Circuit in late Tang. He was one of the main contributors in Tang's eventual defeat of the agrarian rebel Huang Chao....
the military governor of Yiwu Circuit (義武, headquartered in modern Baoding
Baoding
-Administrative divisions:Baoding prefecture-level city consists of 3 municipal districts, 4 county-level cities, 18 counties:-Demographics:The Baoding urban area has a population of around 1,006,000 . The population of the Baoding administrative area is 10,890,000. The considerable majority are...
, 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...
), upon hearing the news of Chang'an's fall, mobilized all of Yiwu's troops and headed for Chang'an, subsequently participating in a major campaign against Huang's Qi state on Tang's behalf. Wang Jingchong sent troops to accompany Wang Chucun on his campaign, although, unlike Wang Chucun, he did not personally attend to the campaign. However, he often sent messengers to Emperor Xizong, who had fled to Xichuan Circuit (西川, headquartered in modern Chengdu
Chengdu
Chengdu , formerly transliterated Chengtu, is the capital of Sichuan province in Southwest China. It holds sub-provincial administrative status...
, 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...
) by this point, to greet the emperor and to submit tributes. After Huang's Qi state was destroyed, Wang Jingchong was thus given the honorific title of Taiwei (太尉, also one of the Three Excellencies
Three Excellencies
The Three Ducal Ministers , also translated as the Three Dukes, Three Excellencies, or the Three Lords, was the collective name for the three highest officials in ancient China...
, but now no longer acting).
Wang Jingchong died in 883
883
Year 883 was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Oldest known mention of the city of Duisburg.* Monte Cassino is sacked and burned down by the Saracens....
. The soldiers supported his nine-year-old son Wang Rong
Wang Rong
Wang Rong , style name Junchong , was a politician of the Jin Dynasty period of Chinese history.Wang Rong served under Jin as the 3rd East General. Wang Rong participated during the final conquest of Eastern Wu, where he led his army as far as to that of Wuchang...
as his successor, and the imperial government, then in disarray, subsequently approved.