Wang Jichang

Wang Jichang (died 945) was a general and chancellor of the Chinese Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period state Min. He was a nephew of its last emperor Wang Yanzheng, and briefly served as chancellor and general during Wang Yanzheng's reign.

Background It is not known when or where Wang Jichang was born. It is known, however, that he was a nephew of Wang Yanzheng — and, therefore, likely a grandson of Min's founding prince Wang Shenzhi (Prince Zhongyi) (although conceivably the grandson of one of Wang Shenzhi's brothers, Wang Chao or Wang Shengui . His parents' identity were not otherwise given in traditional histories.

During Wang Yanzheng's Reign In 943, Wang Yanzheng, then in civil war against his brother, then-reigning Min emperor Wang Xi (Emperor Jingzong), declared himself the emperor of a new branch state Yin at his stronghold of Jian Prefecture (建州, in modern Nanping, Fujian). He made Wang Jichang Menxia Shilang and chancellor with the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi .

However, it was said that Wang Jichang was weak in personality and often taking to drinking, not caring about his soldiers. The soldiers and the officers thus came to resent him. Two former officers, Li Renda and Chen Jixun , in particular, were worried for themselves because they had both defected from Wang Yanzheng's army previously. They met with Huang and persuaded him that Wang Yanzheng himself was in such a precarious position to defend against the Southern Tang attack such that they should rebel against him and seize control of Fu for themselves. Huang agreed. That day, they led an assault on the headquarters and killed Wang Jichang and Wu, seizing control of Fu.

Notes and references

Spring and Autumn Annals of the Ten Kingdoms, vol. 94. Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 284.