Wang Ling (Three Kingdoms)

For other people named Wang Ling, see Wang Ling (disambiguation).

Wang Ling
王淩
Grand Commandant (太尉)
In office 28 January 250 (28 January 250) – 15 June 251 (15 June 251)
Monarch	Cao Fang
Preceded by	Jiang Ji
Succeeded by	Sima Fu
Minister of Works (司空)
In office October or November 248 (October or November 248) – 28 January 250 (28 January 250)
Monarch	Cao Fang
Preceded by	Gao Rou
Succeeded by	Sun Li
General of Chariots and Cavalry (車騎將軍)
In office 2 July 241 (2 July 241) – October or November 248 (October or November 248)
Monarch	Cao Fang
Preceded by	Huang Quan
Succeeded by	Guo Huai
General Who Attacks the East (征東將軍)
In office 240 (240) – 2 July 241 (2 July 241)
Monarch	Cao Fang
Personal details
Born	172 Qi County, Shanxi
Died	(251-06-15)15 June 251
Children	Wang Guang Wang Feixiao Wang Jinhu Wang Mingshan
Relatives	Wang Yun (uncle) Guo Huai's wife (sister)
Occupation	Military general, politician
Courtesy name	Yanyun (彥雲)
Peerage	Marquis of Nan District (南鄉侯)

In this Chinese name, the family name is Wang.

Wang Ling (172—15 June 251), courtesy name Yanyun, was a Chinese military general and politician of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China.

Early life and career

Wang Ling's family fled to the countryside after his uncle, Wang Yun, was executed in 192 for fomenting Lü Bu's assassination of warlord Dong Zhuo. Later he was declared xiaolian, a crucial nomination to be considered for civil service appointments, and became the Administrator of Zhongshan Commandery (中山太守). His excellent public service was noticed by chancellor Cao Cao, who moved him into his office.

Service in Cao Wei

In Cao Cao's army, Wang Ling engaged in several battles with Eastern Wu. As the Inspector of Yan Province, he attacked Sun Quan under the command of Zhang Liao. His victory led to his promotion to General Who Builds Martialism (建武將軍). In another battle against Eastern Wu, he rescued the besieged general Cao Xiu. He was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry (車騎將軍) after a major victory against Wu general Quan Cong.

Rebellion

Main article: Wang Ling's Rebellion

In the second year of Cao Fang's reign, Wang Ling was appointed Minister of Works, while his nephew Linghu Yu (令狐愚) became the Inspector of Yan Province (兗州刺史). Wang Ling lost faith in Cao Fang's ability to rule after Sima Yi's coup d'etat in the incident at Gaoping Tombs succeeded in turning the emperor against Sima Yi's rival, Cao Shuang. As a result, Wang Ling conspired to replace emperor Cao Fang with his uncle Cao Biao. The conspiracy suffered a setback, however, when Linghu Yu died of an illness. The plot was discovered and Sima Yi led an army to Wang before he could prepare himself for a defense. After Wang Ling surrendered to Sima Yi with the promise of a pardon, he was forced to commit suicide, and his family members and associates were condemned to family annihilation.

See also

• Lists of people of the Three Kingdoms

References

• Chen, Shou (3rd century). Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi).
• Pei, Songzhi (5th century). Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi zhu).
• Sima, Guang (1084). Zizhi Tongjian.