Historical Record
Regarding this man Wang Ze, no clear record can be found in the extant official histories such as the Records of the Three Kingdoms. This means that in the official historical documents there is no detailed record of his life, deeds, or official posts. We therefore cannot make an objective account or evaluation of him from the standpoint of the histories. Whether or not he existed, and the role he played in historical events, both went uncaptured by the official histories. To a certain extent this reflects the fate of many minor figures of the Three Kingdoms period, who may have taken part in certain historical events but, owing to their low status or limited influence, went unrecorded by the historians.
In the Novel
In Luo Guanzhong's literary portrayal in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Wang Ze appears in the capacity of Commandant Who Serves the Army, his chief duty being to act as Cao Cao's envoy. According to the description in chapter sixteen of the novel, after Cao Cao learned that Zhang Ji had died and that his nephew Zhang Xiu had joined with Jia Xu and Liu Biao intending to encroach upon Xu, he wished to campaign against them. He feared, however, that Lü Bu might attack Xu while it was undefended. Against this background, Xun Yu offered Cao Cao a plan, holding that Lü Bu coveted small gains and that an envoy might be sent to Xu Province to advance his office and bestow rewards, and to bring about a reconciliation between Lü Bu and Liu Bei, thereby steadying Lü Bu so that he would not entertain far-reaching designs. c:5883 Cao Cao adopted Xun Yu's advice and sent Wang Ze as special envoy, carrying the official patent and a letter of reconciliation, to Xu Province. The aim of Wang Ze's journey was to convey Cao Cao's intentions, on the one hand to reassure Lü Bu, and on the other to bring about a reconciliation between Lü Bu and Liu Bei, so as to remove Cao Cao's worry of an attack from behind during his campaign against Zhang Xiu. His appearance in the novel is an important link in advancing the plot, especially as an embodiment of stabilizing the situation by diplomatic means when Cao Cao faced the pressure of fighting on multiple fronts. Although Wang Ze's part in the novel is small, his identity as Cao Cao's envoy reflects, to a degree, Cao Cao's skill in using political maneuvering and diplomatic strategy beyond military action.
Key Relationships
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Wang Ze's key relationship is reflected mainly in his connection with the Cao Wei camp. He served Cao Cao directly, holding the office of Commandant Who Serves the Army. c:5883 This was a relationship of ruler and subject; Wang Ze, as Cao Cao's subordinate, faithfully carried out Cao Cao's orders. His task was to go to Xu Province on Cao Cao's behalf, conduct diplomatic mediation with Lü Bu, convey Cao Cao's intentions, and bring about a reconciliation between Lü Bu and Liu Bei. This shows that he was deeply trusted by Cao Cao and able to undertake an important diplomatic mission. Moreover, his task also indirectly involved relationships with Lü Bu and Liu Bei (novel only); although he did not establish a personal connection with these two directly, his actions directly affected the balance and direction among the three forces of Cao Cao, Lü Bu, and Liu Bei. Wang Ze's existence is an extension of Cao Cao's political strategy; through him, Cao Cao was able, amid a complex situation, to employ diplomatic maneuvering to achieve military aims.
Signature Scene
Wang Ze's signature scene is embodied entirely in the episode in chapter sixteen of Romance of the Three Kingdoms in which he is ordered to go to Xu Province to carry out a diplomatic mission. c:5883 At the time, Cao Cao faced the two great threats of Zhang Xiu and Lü Bu. To avoid fighting on two fronts, Cao Cao adopted Xun Yu's advice and decided to steady Lü Bu by diplomatic means. He therefore "dispatched the Commandant Who Serves the Army Wang Ze, bearing the official patent and a letter of reconciliation, to set off for Xu Province." c:5883 This scene is the only time Wang Ze clearly appears in the novel, and the concentrated embodiment of his entire part. Holding the official patent and the letter of reconciliation, he represented Cao Cao's authority and intent in going to Xu Province to carry out an important diplomatic mission. Although the novel does not describe in detail the specific process and outcome after he reached Xu Province, this dispatch in itself constitutes his signature action. This scene not only displays Wang Ze's identity as Cao Cao's envoy, but also highlights Cao Cao's attention to political strategy and diplomatic means beyond military action. Wang Ze's appearance paved the way for Cao Cao's subsequent campaign against Zhang Xiu, and also indirectly affected the relationship between Lü Bu and Liu Bei—a key juncture in the development of the novel's plot (novel only).
Relationships
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Chapters1 回 ▸
- 演ch.16
Inner monologues · AI-generated1 段 ▸
- Wang Ze, Commandant of the Feng Army, was ordered to carry an official appointment and a letter of reconciliation to Xu