Wang Heng

Wang Gen, family name Zi , was a ruler of Predynastic Shang, succeeding his brother Wang Hai. His existence is reflected in oracle bone inscriptions. He was succeeded by Shang Jia, Wang Hai's son.

Names Wang Gen's name is written as ⿰弓亙 or 亙 in oracle bone inscriptions.

Transmitted texts such as the Bamboo Annals list Wang Gen's name as Wang Heng , which is not attested in oracle bone inscriptions at all. Similar scribal errors can be seen with Wang Hai. Heng 恆 has been used in some transcriptions of Oracle Bones, possibly to align with later accounts, but this does not reflect Wang Gen's identity.

Posthumous accounts In Oracle bone inscriptions Wang Gen is mentioned in scant few oracle bones, much unlike his brother, Wang Hai. Some examples include a you sacrifice and debates as to Wang Gen's trustworthiness. Another text involves whether the sun will come out, but the last character is indecipherable.

Examples include:

貞侑于王亙 He is said to have reigned from the 12th year of Xie of Xia's reign until the 16th year.