Wang Gong

Wang Gong (350s – 13 October 398), courtesy name Xiaobo, was a consort kin and military general of the Jin dynasty (266–420). He was the brother-in-law of Emperor Xiaowu of Jin through his younger sister, Empress Wang Fahui. Wang was given command over the northern border provinces of Yan and Qing, and after Xiaowu's son, Emperor An ascended the throne in 396, he used his armies to lead two insurrections against the regent, Sima Daozi, who he accused of elevating corrupt officials to positions of power. The first insurrection in 397 concluded with Wang forcing Sima Daozi to execute his trusted advisor, Wang Guobao. However, his second insurrection the following year saw him betrayed by his general, Liu Laozhi, leading to his capture and execution.

Early life A member of the prestigious Wang clan of Taiyuan, Wang Gong was the grandson of the famous minister, Wang Meng and the second son of the Household Counsellor Wang Yun (王蘊; 330-384); his elder brother Wang Hua (王华) died young. His aunt Wang Muzhi was the empress of Emperor Ai of Jin, while his sister Wang Fahui married Emperor Xiaowu of Jin in 375, thus making Wang Gong the emperor's brother-in-law. He was renowned for his talent and character when he was young, and he was said to be confident enough in his abilities that he aspired to become a Prime Minister in the future.

Wang Gong was as famous as his distant cousin, Wang Chen (王忱; died 18 November 392) and initially served as an Assistant Editorial Director, but he was disappointed with his low-rank and resigned due to illness. He later became Vice Director of the Palace Library and was transferred to Palace Attendant, but before he could take up his position, his father died, so he once again resigned to oversee his mourning period. At the end of the period, he returned to the government and successively served as Gentleman of the Personnel Bureau, General Who Establishes Might, Intendant of Danyang, Prefect of the Palace Writers and Chief of Affairs to the Crown Prince.

At the time, the Jin court was entrenched in factionalism between Emperor Xiaowu and his brother, the Prince of Kuaiji, Sima Daozi. Wang Gong sided with Emperor Xiaowu, who held his brother-in-law in high esteem. One of Sima Daozi's supporters, Yuan Yuezhi (袁悅之), often advised the prince to monopolize his power in the court, but Wang Gong reported his behaviour to the emperor, who subsequently had him executed. To strengthen his position, the emperor sent out a few of his associates to take up military command in neighbouring provinces outside the capital. In 390, Wang Gong was garrisoned at Jingkou after he was appointed Chief Controller of military affairs in the provinces of Qing, Yan, You, Bing and Ji, General of the Front and Inspector of Qing and Yan provinces.

Wang Gong's Insurrections

Death of Emperor Xiaowu In November 396, Emperor Xiaowu was assassinated by his concubine, Lady Zhang, and was succeeded by his developmentally disabled son, Emperor An with Sima Daozi acting as his regent. Daozi had a close confidant, Wang Guobao, who was a distant cousin of Wang Gong. After his prince assumed the regency, Wang Guobao was allowed to share joint control with him over the imperial court and promoted another cousin Wang Xu (王緒) as the Interior Minister of Langya. However, Wang Guobao and Wang Xu were both infamously corrupt and widely loathed by the people at the time, including Wang Gong himself.

Wang Gong soon paid a visit to the imperial tombs at the capital, Jiankang, during which he spoke sternly and openly expressed his contempt for the current state of affairs. Sima Daozi was wary of him, and to win over his late brother's associates, he humbled himself when speaking to Wang. However, as Wang refused to change his demeanor, he abandoned the idea and began plotting against Wang instead. Wang Xu advised Wang Guobao that they should ambush and kill Wang Gong when he enters the court, but the plan was rejected.

First insurrection (397) In 397, Wang Guobao strongly urged Sima Daozi to reduce Wang Gong's military power. Meanwhile, Wang Gong prepared his troops and submitted a memorial to launch a northern expedition. Sima Daozi was suspicious of his intent, and ordered him to disband on the reason that an expedition would interfere with the harvest season. At the same time, Wang Gong approached the Inspector of Jing province, Yin Zhongkan on his plan to campaign against Wang Guobao at Jiankang. After receiving Yin's approval, Wang sent out a petition outlining Wang Guobao's crimes and his intention to march onto the capital.

Death and posthumous honours Wang Gong was sent to Jiankang and executed at Ni Dyke (倪塘; in present-day Jurong, Jiangsu). Prior to his execution, Wang Gong was said to have shown no fear, reciting Buddhist scriptures and straightening his beard and sideburns. He said to his executioner, "I was blinded by trust, which led me to this predicament. My true intention had always been to uphold my loyalty to the state. My only wish now is for future generations to remember Wang Gong." Wang Gong's sons, brothers and followers were also executed, and after his death, his family was left impoverished, only possessing his books.

During his arrest, Wang Gong was able to meet a former colleague, the Magistrate of Hushu County, Dai Qizhi (戴耆之). He privately told Dai that he had a son, Wang Tanheng (王曇亨), who was not known to the public yet and was hiding at his wet nurse's home. He urged Dai to place his son under Huan Xuan's care, so Dai had him sent to Xiakou (夏口; in present-day Xinzhou, Wuhan). Huan Xuan raised Wang Tanheng and even built a funeral hall for him to mourn his father. After Huan Xuan defeated Sima Daozi and became Emperor An's regent in 402, he petitioned to the court to rehabilitate Wang Gong's image. Wang Gong was posthumously appointed Palace Attendant and Grand Protector, and was given the posthumous name of "Zhongjian" (忠簡).