Wang Lang (Xin dynasty)
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Wang Lang (Chinese: 王郎; died AD 24), originally named Wang Chang (王昌), became a leader of one of the revolts that rose up towards the end of the Xin dynasty by pretending to be a son of Emperor Cheng of Han. Originally a native of the Zhao State, he was acclaimed as emperor and managed to briefly establish an independent regime in the area of Hebei.
Life
Wang Lang began his working life as a fortune teller, with expertise in
Before Wang Mang established the Xin dynasty in AD 9, there was a man living in Chang'an named Liu Ziyu (刘子輿) who claimed to be the son of Emperor Cheng of Han. When Liu Ziyu was murdered on the orders of the Xin dynasty emperor Wang Mang, Wang Lang took the opportunity to pretend to be the real Liu Ziyu. Together with Liu Lin (劉林), son of king Miao of Zhao (赵缪王), he claimed that in order to avoid Empress Zhao Feiyan's persecutions they had fled to Sichuan, and knowing that Hebei had the qi of the Son of Heaven. Liu Lin planned, with the support of the powerful families of Li Yu (李育) and Zhang Can (張参), to declare Wang Lang emperor.
At that time there was a rumour that the
In the twelfth month of the same year, Liu Lin led several hundred horsemen into the city of Handan, and in the early morning arrived at the palace of King Miao of Zhao. Wang Lang was then named emperor. Wang Lang nominated Liu Lin as prime minister, Li Yu Minister of War, and Zhang Can Great General. Wang Lang's army occupied the Ji (冀) and You (幽) counties, and took advantage of the public's positive attitude towards the Han dynasty by claiming that the general
However, by the beginning of 24 AD, Liu Xiu had gathered troops and consolidated power with
With all the forces now available to Liu Xiu , Wang Lang suffered a series of defeats in Hebei. During the fourth month of AD 24 Liu Xiu marched into Handan, and during the fifth month the city of Handan was conquered. Wang Lang escaped from Handan but was soon caught and killed. According to the
Notes
- ^ Later Han History, "Biography of Wang Ba" (王霸传).