Wang Shaoyi (; died 866), formally the Count of Taiyuan (), was a general of the

Chinese Chinese can refer to: * Something related to China * Chinese people, people of Chinese nationality, citizenship, and/or ethnicity **''Zhonghua minzu'', the supra-ethnic concept of the Chinese nation ** List of ethnic groups in China, people of va ...

dynasty Tang Dynasty who ruled Chengde Circuit (成德, headquartered in modern

Shijiazhuang Shijiazhuang (; ; Mandarin: ), formerly known as Shimen and romanized as Shihkiachwang, is the capital and most populous city of China’s North China's Hebei Province. Administratively a prefecture-level city, it is about southwest of Beijin ...

, Hebei) in ''de facto'' independence from the imperial government as its military governor ('' Jiedushi'').

Background

It is not known when Wang Shaoyi was born. His family had been, prior to his generation, in control of Chengde Circuit for two generations, after his grandfather Wang Tingcou seized control of the circuit in 821 without imperial approval and eventually forced the imperial government to acquiesce; his father

Wang Yuankui Wang Yuankui (; 812–854'' New Book of Tang'', vol. 211.These dates are per Wang Yuankui's biography in the ''New Book of Tang''. The ''Zizhi Tongjian'' indicated that Wang's death was reported to the imperial government in spring 855 and did not ...

later succeeded Wang Tingcou and took a more conciliatory stance with the imperial government. Wang Shaoyi had at least one older brother, Wang Shaoding.''

Old Book of Tang The ''Old Book of Tang'', or simply the ''Book of Tang'', is the first classic historical work about the Tang dynasty, comprising 200 chapters, and is one of the Twenty-Four Histories. Originally compiled during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdo ...

'', vol. 142. When Wang Yuankui died in 855, the soldiers supported Wang Shaoding to succeed him. Then-reigning

Emperor Xuānzong Emperor Xuanzong of Tang (July 27, 810 – September 7, 859) (reigned April 25, 846 – September 7, 859) was an emperor in the latter part of the Tang dynasty of China. Personally named Li Yi, later renamed Li Chen (), and known before his rei ...

initially made Wang Shaoding acting military governor, and, later in the year, full military governor. However, Wang Shaoding was inappropriate in his behavior, favoring drinking, and particularly liking to sling bullets at people from towers for fun. The soldiers became so displeased with him that they considered overthrowing him, but before they could do so, he fell ill and died in 857. The soldiers supported Wang Shaoyi, who was then deputy military governor, to succeed him. Emperor Xuānzong approved and made Wang Shaoyi acting military governor, and then military governor.'' Zizhi Tongjian'', vol. 249.

As military governor

Wang Shaoyi's rule was said to be simple and lenient, and both the soldiers and the people were happy about his rule.''Zizhi Tongjian'', vol. 250. He was created the Count of Taiyuan, although it is not clear which emperor did so. In 866, Wang Shaoyi grew ill. He summoned Wang Shaoding's son Wang Jingchong — who was not Wang Shaoding's oldest son but was considered Wang Shaoding's proper heir, having been born of Wang Shaoding's wife — 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 military governor.

Notes and references

* ''

'', vol. 142. * ''

New Book of Tang The ''New Book of Tang'', generally translated as the "New History of the Tang" or "New Tang History", is a work of official history covering the Tang dynasty in ten volumes and 225 chapters. The work was compiled by a team of scholars of the So ...

'', vol. 211. * '' Zizhi Tongjian'', vols.

249 __NOTOC__ Year 249 ( CCXLIX) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Gavius and Aquilinus (or, less frequently, year 1002 ''Ab ...

250 __NOTOC__ Year 250 ( CCL) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Traianus and Gratus (or, less frequently, year 1003 ''Ab u ...

. {{DEFAULTSORT:Wang, Shaoyi 9th-century births 866 deaths Tang dynasty jiedushi of Chengde Circuit Politicians from Shijiazhuang Tang dynasty generals from Hebei