Wang Bi

Historical Record

According to the existing sources, the record concerning Wang Bi is missing. In the official histories such as the Records of the Three Kingdoms, no record can be found that clearly mentions Wang Bi's life and deeds, his office, or his specific contributions within the Cao Wei regime. Therefore, it is impossible to construct his historical image from the historical materials.

In the Novel

In Luo Guanzhong's Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Wang Bi is a loyal and diligent Cao Wei general, his image shaped chiefly in the politics of the capital Xu on the eve of Cao Cao's preparation to accept the abdication and proclaim himself emperor. He was entrusted by Cao Cao with the heavy task of supreme command over the imperial guard cavalry, stationed outside the Donghua Gate of Xu, responsible for the defense of the capital. Cao Cao's trust in Wang Bi was beyond words; he regarded him as "a man who followed me through thorns and hardships, loyal and diligent, his heart like iron and stone—most fit for the task" ^c:2772. However, the registrar Sima Yi had reservations about this appointment, judging Wang Bi to be "fond of wine and lax in nature; I fear he is not equal to such a post" ^c:2772, implying that a weakness in his character might make him unsuited to so heavy a charge. This detail foreshadowed the later development of the plot.

In the novel, Wang Bi became entangled in a plot against Cao Cao. Geng Ji, Wei Huang, and others intended to "respond from within and without, kill Wang Bi, seize his command, support the imperial carriage, and further ally with the Imperial Uncle Liu as outside support—then the traitor Cao could be destroyed" ^c:3938. This shows that the imperial guard Wang Bi commanded was an important force of Cao Cao's in Xu and the core objective the anti-Cao party sought to seize. Although the novel does not describe in detail Wang Bi's final fate or how he dealt with this plot, his role as Cao Cao's trusted man holding command of the capital's troops made him a focal figure in the struggle between the loyal ministers of the house of Han and the Cao Wei power. Through its portrayal of Wang Bi, the novel not only displays the side of Cao Cao that favored his intimates in appointing men but also reflects, from another angle, the tense political opposition between the house of Han and Cao Wei at the time, and the resistant forces hidden within Cao Wei itself.

Key Relationships

* Cao Cao (serves): Wang Bi was a trusted man of Cao Cao, appraised by Cao Cao as "loyal and diligent, his heart like iron and stone," and entrusted with the heavy task of supreme command over the imperial guard cavalry, responsible for the defense of Xu ^c:2772 (unique to the novel).
* Sima Yi (colleague): Sima Yi's appraisal of Wang Bi was that he was "fond of wine and lax in nature; I fear he is not equal to such a post" ^c:2772, showing the difference between the two men in temperament and in their assessment of ability (unique to the novel).
* Geng Ji, Wei Huang (potential adversaries): Geng Ji, Wei Huang, and others plotted to "kill Wang Bi and seize his command" ^c:3938, intending to overthrow Cao Cao, and Wang Bi thereby became a key target in their plan (unique to the novel).

Iconic Scenes

* Receiving the charge of supreme command over the imperial guard: As Cao Cao prepared to accept the abdication and proclaim himself emperor, because of Guan Lu's prophecy he dared not act rashly and remained at Ye commandery, while at the same time entrusting Wang Bi with supreme command over the imperial guard cavalry, stationed outside the Donghua Gate of Xu, responsible for patrolling and guarding the capital. Cao Cao's trust in Wang Bi is evident, as he called him "a man who followed me through thorns and hardships, loyal and diligent, his heart like iron and stone" ^c:2772 (unique to the novel).
* Becoming the target of an anti-Cao plot: In the plot of the loyal ministers of the house of Han—Geng Ji, Wei Huang, Jin Yi, and others—Wang Bi, because he held command of the imperial guard in Xu, became the prime target of their plan to "respond from within and without, kill Wang Bi, and seize his command." Jin Yi in particular put forward this plan, intending thereby to support the house of Han and resist Cao Cao ^c:3938 (unique to the novel).