Wang Lang (Xin Dynasty)

Wang Lang (Chinese: 王郎; d. 24), originally named Wang Chang (王昌), was one of the famous heroes who rose during the end of the Xin dynasty. Originally a native of the Zhao State, he has managed to set up an independent regime in the area of Hebei.

Life

Wang began as a fortune teller, with expertise in astronomy and calendrics, who determined that Hebei has the qi of a Son of Heaven.

Before Wang Mang established the Xin dynasty in the year 9, there was a man in Chang'an named Liu Ziyu (刘子輿) who claimed to be the son of Emperor Cheng of Han. When Liu Ziyu was murdered by Wang Mang, Wang Lang took the opportunity to pretend to be the real Liu Ziyu. Together with Liu Lin (劉林), son of king Miao of Zhao (赵缪王), he claimed that in order to avoid Empress Zhao Feiyan's persecutions they had fled to Sichuan, and knowing that Hebei had the qi of the Son of Heaven, they reached Hebei after a long journey. Liu Lin further planned, with the support of the strong families of Li Yu (李育) and Zhang Can (張参), to declare Wang Lang emperor.

At that time there was a rumor that the Red Eyebrows army was crossing the Yellow River heading north. In the tenth month of year 23, Emperor Gengshi has ordered General Liu Xiu and acting minister of war to pacify Hebei. Upon visiting the city of Handan, Liu Xiu met with Liu Lin, who suggested opening the dams in order to drown the Hebei Red Eyebrows troops. Liu Xiu declined this option, and moved on north, towards Zhending State (真定).

In the twelfth month of the same year, Liu Lin led several hundreds of horsemen into the city of Handan, and in the early morning arrived at the palace of King of Zhao. Thus Wang Lang was made emperor. Wang Lang nominated Liu Lin as prime minister, Li Yu Minister of War, and Zhang Can Great General. Wang Lang's faction army has occupied the Ji (冀) and You (幽) counties, and took advantage of the public's old feelings towards the Han dynasty by claiming that the general Di Yi who opposed Wang Mang before the Xin dynasty was established, had not yet died and was in support of them. This gained them much popularity. Wang Lang controlled the state of Zhao from its north, and Liaodong peninsula from its eastern end, and offered a price of ten marquise-level bronze vessels for anyone who would bring the severed head of Liu Xiu.

At the beginning of the year 24, Liu Xiu has gathered troops and consolidated power with Liu Zhi and Geng Chun leading over two thousand people to back him. Geng Kuang (耿況), the governor of Shanggu and Peng Chong, the governor of Yuyang Commandery (漁陽), sent charging cavalary to their assistance, and so Wang Lang lost his superiority.

Following this, Wang Lang suffered a series of defeats in Hebei. On the fourth month Liu Xiu has marched into Handan, and on the fifth month the city of Handan was conquered. Wang Lang escaped Handan during dark hours, but was killed while riding. According to the Later Han History he was killed by Wang Ba, a general of Liu Xiu.^[1]

Notes

1. Later Han History, "Biography of Wang Ba" (王霸传).