Wang Ping

Wang Ping (died 248), courtesy name Zijun, was a military general of the state of Shu Han in the Three Kingdoms period of China. Originally a military officer serving under the warlord Cao Cao. In 219, he defected to Cao Cao's rival Liu Bei during the Hanzhong Campaign. Although he was a talented orator, Wang Ping never learned to read because he joined the army at a young age. However, he did not let this disadvantage stop him and had his clerk help him with his reports. Known for his self discipline, he steadily rose through the ranks to become a senior general. During his career, he defeated Zhang He, quelled Wei Yan's alleged rebellion and was the leading commander of the Shu forces during the Battle of Xingshi. The highest position he reached was Senior General Who Guards the North. Early life Wang Ping was born in Dangqu County, Baxi Commandery (巴西郡), which is present-day Qu County, Sichuan. A native from the same commandery as another Shu Han general, Ju Fu. He was raised by his maternal family, whose family name was He, so he was also known as He Ping. He presumably changed his family name back to Wang in his later years because historical records show no consistency in recording his name. It could also be possible that his name was changed to Wang Ping posthumously. Service under Cao Cao Wang Ping started his career under two local tribe leaders, Du Huo and Pu Hu (朴胡). In 215, after the Battle of Yangping, Zhang Lu fled to them for help and better surrendering terms with Cao Cao. After Zhang Lu's surrender, Cao Cao enfeoffed Du Huo and Pu Hu as Marquis with the mission of defending Badong (巴東) and Baxi (巴西) commanderies. However Du Huo and Pu Hu were defeated by Huang Quan and forced to abandon the Ba region. After this, Wang Ping accompanied them to visit the Han imperial court, Luoyang where he was appointed as an acting Colonel (校尉) under Xiahou Yuan. During the Hanzhong Campaign, Wang Ping fought with Cao Cao's forces to counter Liu Bei's invasion. In 219, Liu Bei killed Xiahou Yuan at the battle of Mount Dingjun, from then on he would occupy the strategic passes, refusing engagement that could jeopardize the campaign and concentrate on a war of attrition against Cao Cao's forces. With each day, more and more of Cao Cao's soldiers would die or desert. Wang Ping was among the latter. Liu Bei welcomed Wang Ping and appointed him as an Officer of the Standard (牙門將) and Major General (裨將軍).