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Wang Qinruo

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wang Qinruo (王欽若)
Grand Councilor of the Song dynasty
In office
August 28, 1017 – July 13, 1019
MonarchEmperor Zhenzong
In office
September 22, 1023 – April 27, 1024[1]
MonarchEmperor Renzong
Personal details
Born962 or January 963[2]
Xinyu, Southern Tang
DiedDecember 22, 1025(1025-12-22) (aged 62–63)[3]
Kaifeng, Song dynasty
SpouseLady Li (李)
Children
  • Wang Congyi (王從益), son
  • Wang Qingzhi (王慶之), son
  • 2 daughters
Parent
  • Wang Zhonghua (王仲華) (father)
Posthumous nameWenmu (文穆)
Wang Qinruo
Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinWáng Qīnruò
Wade–GilesWang2 Ch'in1-jo4
Wang Dingguo
Traditional Chinese
Simplified Chinese
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinWáng Dìngguó

Wang Qinruo (c. 962 – 22 December 1025), courtesy name Dingguo, was an official in China's Northern Song dynasty. He was the chancellor from 1017 to 1019 during Emperor Zhenzong's reign and from 1023 to 1025 during Emperor Renzong's reign.

Wang Qinruo led the compilation of Prime Tortoise of the Record Bureau, an important encyclopedia.

Wang Qinruo had a few very unpopular proposals, including moving the capital to southern China. Moreover, he appeared to have a personal vendetta against the upright official Kou Zhun and tried hard to have the latter demoted. History of Song recorded that Emperor Renzong believed Wang Qinruo treacherous, and that during his time Wang Qinruo was nicknamed by the population as one of the "Five Devils", along with Ding Wei, Lin Te (林特), Chen Pengnian (陳彭年) and Liu Chenggui (劉承珪).

In fiction

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In the popular legends of Generals of the Yang Family, the antagonist Wang Qin (王欽) is based on Wang Qinruo. In some versions Wang Qin is even a spy from the Liao dynasty.

References

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  • Toqto'a; et al., eds. (1345). Song Shi [History of Song] (in Chinese).
  • Li Tao (1183). Xu Zizhi Tongjian Changbian [Extended Continuation to Zizhi Tongjian] (in Chinese).