Wang Rong (Jin dynasty)

Wang Rong
Wang Rong
王戎
	Wang Rong (right) with Shan Tao, in a relief dating from the 4th century.
Minister over the Masses (司徒)
	In office; 302 – 305
	In office; 297 – 300
Prefect of the Masters of Writing (尚書令)
	In office; 301 – 302
Secretary of Personnel (吏部尚書)
	In office; 291 – 297
Left Supervisor of the Affairs of the Masters of Writing (尚書左僕射)
	In office; 291 – 297
Household Counsellor (光祿大夫)
	In office; 291 – 291
Prefect of the Palace Writers (中書令)
	In office; 291 – 291
Crown Prince's Grand Tutor (太子太傅)
	In office; 290 – 291
Monarch	Emperor Hui of Jin
Minister of the Household (光祿勲)
	In office; 284 – 290
Palace Attendant
	In office; 282 – 284
General who Establishes Might (建威將軍)
	In office; 278 – 280
Inspector of Yu Province (豫州刺史)
	In office; 278 – 280
Inspector of Jing Province (荊州刺史)
	In office; 276 – 278
Monarch	Emperor Wu of Jin
Personal details
Born	234; Linyi, Shandong
Died	11 July 305; Jia County, Henan
Children	Wang Wan; Wang Xing; Pei Wei's wife (daughter);
Parent	Wang Hun (father);
Occupation	Military general, poet, politician
Courtesy name	Junchong (濬沖)
Posthumous name	Yuan (元)
Peerage	Marquis of Anfeng; (安豐侯)

Wang Rong (234 – 11 July 305), courtesy name Junchong (濬冲), nickname A Rong (阿戎), posthumously known as Marquis Yuan of Anfeng (安豐元侯),^[3] was a Chinese military general, poet, and politician of the Western Jin dynasty. He was also one of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove.

Life

Under Cao Wei

Wang Rong was born in 234, during Cao Rui's reign. In c.late 230s, when Wang Rong was six or seven years old (by East Asian reckoning), he was watching a show where beasts roared ferociously in their enclosures. While those around him scattered, Wang Rong remained at ease at where he was standing. From where he was, Cao Rui saw what had happened, and was impressed.^[4]

In c.248, when Wang Rong was fifteen years old (by East Asian reckoning), he stayed with his father Wang Changyuan at the latter's official residence. Ruan Ji was Wang Changyuan's friend and about 20 years older than Rong. Yet, every time Ruan visited Changyuan, he would remain with Changyuan for a short while before turning his attention to Wang Rong. Ruan would then have a very long chat with Wang Rong before leaving. Ruan once said to Changyuan, "Junchong is elegant and worthy of appreciation, which is something you cannot compare with. Instead of talking to you, I would rather speak with A Rong."^[5]

In late 263, just before Zhong Hui set out on Wei's expedition to conquer Shu, he went to bide Wang Rong farewell, and asked Wang for advice. Wang Rong replied, "Taoism has a saying: 'Do not claim credit after doing good deeds'. It is not difficult to succeed; what is difficult is to maintain and protect." Later, as Zhong Hui failed in his rebellion, people felt that Wang Rong had foresight.^[6]

Under Jin dynasty

During Emperor Wu's reign

Wang Rong was about 32 years old when Sima Yan usurped the throne from Cao Huan and founded the Jin dynasty in February 266.

Wang Rong served under the Jin dynasty as a military general and participated in the conquest of the Jin dynasty's rival state, Eastern Wu in 280. During the campaign, he led his troops as far as to that of Wuchang (武昌; present day Ezhou, Hubei). Following this, Wang Rong's army merged with Wang Jun's and they advanced towards the Wu capital, Jianye.

During Emperor Hui's reign

In c.October 297,^[7] with Empress Jia Nanfeng as the de facto regent, Wang Rong was made Minister Over the Masses, replacing Wang Hun, who had died in September. He was replaced as Minister Over the Masses by He Shao (何劭; son of He Zeng [何曾])^[8] on 11 May 300,^[9] after Sima Lun's coup earlier that month. It is unknown when exactly Wang Rong was reappointed Minister Over the Masses, only that it was after the death of Sima Lun's half-brother Sima Rong in June 302; Rong was both Grand Chancellor (taizai) and Minister Over the Masses when he died.

Family

Wang Rong was a member of the Wang clan of Langya.

Grandfather: Wang Xiong (王雄;^[a] fl.220-235), regional inspector (cishi) of You Prefecture (幽州刺史) under Cao Wei.^[10] At You Prefecture, Wang Xiong's most significant achievement was to send Han Long (韩龙) to assassinate Kebineng.^[11]
Father: Wang Hun (王浑),^[b] courtesy name Changyuan (长源),^[12] cishi of Liang Prefecture (凉州刺史)
Cousin: Wang Yan

Notes

^ The exact relationship between Wang Xiong and Wang Xiang is unknown.
^ not the same person as the general who took part in the conquest of Wu, whose courtesy name is "Xuanchong".

References

Citations

^ Wang Rong's biography in Jin Shu recorded that he was 72 (by East Asian reckoning) when he died.
^ jiazi day of the 6th month of the 2nd year of the Yong'xing era, per Emperor Hui's biography in Book of Jin. ([永兴二年]六月甲子，侍中、司徒、安丰侯王戎薨。) Jin Shu, vol.04. Vol.86 of Zizhi Tongjian also recorded the same date of death.
^ Zizhi Tongjian, vol.86
^ (年六七岁，于宣武场观戏，猛兽在槛中虓吼震地，众皆奔走，戎独立不动，神色自若。魏明帝于阁上见而奇之。) Jin Shu, vol.43. Since Cao Rui died in Jan 239, if the anecdote did happen, Wang Rong's age was likely five (by East Asian reckoning).
^ (阮籍与浑为友。戎年十五，随浑在郎舍。戎少籍二十岁，而籍与之交。籍每适浑，俄顷辄去，过视戎，良久然后出。谓浑曰:“濬冲清赏，非卿伦也。共卿言，不如共阿戎谈。”) Jin Shu, vol.43. Ruan Ji (210-263) was actually about 24 years older than Wang Rong.
^ (钟会伐蜀，过与戎别，问计将安出。戎曰：“道家有言，'为而不恃'，非成功难，保之难也。”及会败，议者以为知言。) Jin Shu, vol.43. Vol.78 of Zizhi Tongjian also recorded this anecdote (会过幽州刺史王雄之孙戎，问“计将安出？”戎曰：“道家有言，‘为而不恃。’非成功难，保之难也。”).
^ 9th month of the 7th year of the Yuankang era, per Emperor Hui's biography in Jin Shu and vol.82 of Zizhi Tongjian; the month corresponds to 3 Oct to 1 Nov 297 in the Julian calendar.
^ Jin Shu, vol.33
^ dingyou day of the 4th month of the 1st year of the Yongkang era, per Emperor Hui's biography in Jin Shu and vol.83 of Zizhi Tongjian.
^ Jin Shu, vol.43
^ (至[青龙]三年中，雄遣勇士韩龙刺杀比能，更立其弟。) Sanguozhi, vol.30
^ Wei Jin Shiyu annotation in Shishuo Xinyu, vol.01

Bibliography

Fang Xuanling, ed. (648). Book of Jin (Jin Shu).