Wang Jun (Pengzu)

Wang Jun (252–314), courtesy name Pengzu, was a military general and warlord who lived during the Western Jin dynasty of China. By the time of Sima Lun's usurpation of the Jin throne he was established as a military commander in You Province. Although he became a target of Sima Ying as the War of the Eight Princes unfolded, he survived the chaos, ultimately supporting Sima Yue's faction. At the time of the Disaster of Yongjia which saw the collapse of Jin control in northern China, he was one of Jin's few remaining provincial powers in the north. However among claims of imperial ambitions and corruption, he clashed not only with northern tribal powers but also his Jin Dynasty rival Liu Kun the Inspector of Bingzhou, before his final defeat and death at the hands of Shi Le, who had previously won Wang Jun's trust.

Early life and career

Wang Jun was born to a concubine of Wang Chen of the prominent Wang clan of Jinyang County (晉陽; southwest of present-day Taiyuan, Shanxi) in Taiyuan commandery. His mother was from a poor commoner family, so Wang Chen refused to acknowledge Wang Jun as his son. Only Wang Jun's uncle, Wang Hun, saw potential in him and believed he would one day be a part of the Three Excellencies. In 266, Wang Chen died without a legitimate son, so his relatives established Wang Jun as his heir. Wang Jun inherited Wang Chen's title of Duke of Boling and was appointed Chief Commandant of Escorting Cavalry by the court.

Wang Jun became a Regular Mounted Attendant in 282. In 291, the court transferred him to serve as a Regular Attendant and later moved him to Commandant of the Surpassing Riders and General of the Right. Soon, Wang Jun became the Imperial Corps Commander and guarded Xuchang.

War of the Eight Princes

Consolidating Youzhou

In 299, during Empress Jia's rule behind the curtains, she had the Crown Prince, Sima Yu, under house arrest in Xuchang. The following year, Wang Jun and the eunuch Sun Lü (孫慮) assisted her in poisoning Sima Yu. Wang Jun received the title General Who Pacifies The North and Imperial Inspector of Qingzhou. After a while, the court moved him to General Who Calms The Northern Frontiers and Chief Controller of Youzhou. While in Youzhou, Wang Jun sensed that civil war would soon ensue in northern China. Thus, he began initiating alliances with the neighbouring barbarian tribes to secure his position. He married his two daughters; one to the chieftain of the Xianbei Duan tribe, Duan Wuwuchen and another to the chieftain of the Xianbei Yuwen tribe, Sunuyan (素怒延).

In 301, Emperor Hui of Jin's regent, Sima Lun, deposed Hui and declared himself emperor. The three princes, Sima Ying, Sima Yong and Sima Jiong, promptly began an alliance to restore Emperor Hui. Wang Jun remained neutral throughout the war and refused the send out his troops. He even confiscated letters from the coalition calling to arms in Youzhou to prevent anyone from joining them. Sima Ying was particularly frustrated at Wang Jun's actions and considered attacking him but decided not to due to more pressing issues. After overthrowing Sima Lun, Wang Jun received the office of General Who Secures the North.

War with Sima Ying

In 304, Sima Ying and Sima Yong became Jin's paramount leaders after killing the Prince of Changsha, Sima Ai. While in power, Sima Ying sought to eliminate Wang Jun, still begrudging him for his conduct in 301. Wang Jun himself was also not pleased with the outcome of Sima Ying and Sima Ai's war. Sima Ying appointed his trusted subordinate, He Yan (和演), as Inspector of Youzhou with orders to assassinate Wang Jun. He Yan colluded with the Wuhuan

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