Wang Pi

Wang Pi (; died 805? ) was a Chinese calligrapher and politician of the Tang dynasty, who was a close associate of Emperor Shunzong (Li Song). He, along with his ally Wang Shuwen, was powerful during Emperor Shunzong's brief reign in 805, but soon lost power and died in exile.

Background and service under Li Song as crown prince It is not known when Wang Pi was born, but it is known that his family was from Hang Prefecture (杭州, in modern Hangzhou, Zhejiang). He was at some point made a reserve official at Hanlin Institute (翰林院), where imperial scholars gathered, and later made a member of the staff of Li Song—then crown prince under his father Emperor Dezong. It was said that he became favored by Li Song because of his abilities in calligraphy, and he became a close associate of Li Song's, having easy access to Li Song's palace and often spending time with Li Song in leisure activities. He and another close associate of Li Song's, Wang Shuwen, became friends and allies.

During Emperor Shunzong's reign In late 804, Li Song suffered a debilitating stroke that left him partially paralyzed and unable to speak. When Emperor Dezong died on February 25, 805, there were initially some eunuchs who suggested that someone else should succeed Emperor Dezong, but at the strong advocacy of the imperial scholar Wei Cigong (衛次公), Li Song's succession was not further questioned despite his illness. To show that he was still not completely incapacitated, Li Song was forced to personally show himself to the imperial guards, and he took the throne (as Emperor Shunzong). —in Wang Pi's case, to be the military advisor to the prefect of Kai Prefecture (開州, in modern Chongqing). It was said that Wang Pi soon died in exile, and it was implied that that was later in 805.

Notes and references

Old Book of Tang, vol. 135 . New Book of Tang, vol. 168. Zizhi Tongjian, vol. 236.