Wang Li

Historical Record

Based on the available biographical historical materials, the record of Wang Li is absent. In the official histories, no figure named "Wang Li" is clearly mentioned, nor is there any historical record corresponding to the role Wang Li plays in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. It is therefore impossible to make any objective statement about his life, deeds, or offices from a historical standpoint.

In the Novel

In Luo Guanzhong's Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Wang Li appears in the capacity of Palace Attendant and Grand Astrologer, his principal deeds centered on the decision-making process surrounding Cao Cao's relocation of the capital to Xu Chang. He is portrayed as a man versed in astronomy and able to perceive the mandate of Heaven. In Chapter 14 of the novel, Wang Li privately discusses matters with the Minister of the Imperial Clan, Liu Ai, pointing out, "I have observed the heavens. Since last spring, Venus has encroached upon Saturn at the Dipper and Ox; it passed the Heavenly Ford, and Mars too moved retrograde and met with Venus at the Heavenly Gate. Metal and Fire meeting—there must surely be a new Son of Heaven arising."^[1] He further prophesies, "I observe that the destiny of the Great Han is about to come to its end; in the lands of Jin and Wei there must surely be one who rises," and secretly memorializes Emperor Xian, stating plainly, "The Mandate of Heaven comes and goes; the Five Phases are not perpetually flourishing. What replaces Fire is Earth. The one who will replace Han and possess the realm shall be in Wei."^[1]

Although, after Cao Cao learned of these words, he admonished Wang Li, "I know you are loyal to the court, yet the Way of Heaven is deep and far-reaching; pray say no more,"^[1] in fact this had a far-reaching influence on Cao Cao's decision. Cao Cao informed Xun Yu of the matter, and Xun Yu, with the saying that "Han rules by the virtue of Fire, while you, my lord, are of the destiny of Earth. Xudu belongs to Earth, and going there one will surely prosper. Fire can give birth to Earth, and Earth can make Wood flourish—this accords exactly with the words of Dong Zhao and Wang Li. In days to come there will surely be one who rises,"^[1] echoed Wang Li's prophecy, thereby firming up Cao Cao's resolve to move the capital to Xu Chang. Wang Li's role in the novel is to provide a "Heaven-ordained" justification for Cao Cao's relocation of the capital, indirectly bringing about this major historical event. It is worth noting that this episode has no clear basis in the histories; it is a literary creation by the Romance of the Three Kingdoms to lend plausibility to Cao Cao's "holding the Son of Heaven to command the nobles."

Key Relationships

* Liu Xie (Emperor Xian of Han): In the novel, Wang Li serves Emperor Xian of Han and once secretly memorialized him, pointing out, "The Mandate of Heaven comes and goes; the Five Phases are not perpetually flourishing. What replaces Fire is Earth. The one who will replace Han and possess the realm shall be in Wei."^[1] Although he is a subject of the Han house, his words foretell the decline of Han and the rise of Wei, which makes his relationship with Emperor Xian of Han appear complex and full of irony (novel only).
* Cao Cao: Wang Li's words directly or indirectly influenced Cao Cao's major decisions. After learning of Wang Li's prophecy, Cao Cao, while outwardly admonishing him that "the Way of Heaven is deep and far-reaching; pray say no more,"^[1] inwardly firmed up his resolve to move the capital to Xu Chang as a result. Wang Li's prophecy provided a kind of "Heaven-ordained" endorsement for Cao Cao's political ambitions (novel only).
* Liu Ai: Wang Li once privately discussed astronomy with the Minister of the Imperial Clan, Liu Ai, expressing his view that the destiny of the Han house was about to run out and a new Son of Heaven would arise^[1]. This shows that he also had personal acquaintances at court with whom he could share his views on the times (novel only).
* Xun Yu: Xun Yu cited Wang Li's words before Cao Cao and elaborated further from the standpoint of the mutual generation of the Five Phases, providing theoretical support for Cao Cao's relocation of the capital^[1]. This shows that Wang Li's views were to some extent acknowledged and made use of by other strategists (novel only).

Signature Scenes

Wang Li's most signature scene in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms is undoubtedly his secret memorial to Emperor Xian of Han on the Mandate of Heaven, together with his private discussion of astronomy with Liu Ai. In Chapter 14, he "looks up and observes the heavens," prophesying that "the destiny of the Great Han is about to come to its end; in the lands of Jin and Wei there must surely be one who rises," and clearly states that "the one who will replace Han and possess the realm shall be in Wei."^[1] This scene not only displays his professional skill as Grand Astrologer (fictional though it is); more importantly, his words directly touch upon the fate of the Han dynasty and Cao Cao's future, providing the "Heaven-ordained" basis for Cao Cao's relocation of the capital to Xu Chang. His prophecy, whatever its truth, becomes in the novel a key factor driving the plot forward and lending plausibility to Cao Cao's conduct. After hearing these words, Cao Cao, though outwardly admonishing him, was "resolved in his heart," and the next day went in to see Emperor Xian and memorialized to request the relocation of the capital^[1]. This series of events makes Wang Li's prophecy an important turning point in Cao Cao's political career, and although Wang Li appears little in the novel, he leaves a deep impression (novel only).