Wang Lian

Historical Record

Wang Lian, courtesy name Wenyi, was a native of Nanyang. During Liu Zhang's rule over Yi Province, he entered Shu to serve as magistrate of Zitong County. When Liu Bei led his army south from Jiameng Pass to press toward Chengdu, Wang Lian held the city firmly and refused to surrender. Liu Bei admired this and did not force an attack. After Chengdu was pacified, Wang Lian was appointed magistrate of Shifang County, then transferred to magistrate of Guangdu County, achieving notable administrative results in office.^[1]

Afterward Wang Lian was promoted to Colonel Director of Salt, in charge of salt and iron affairs. He was skilled at management and greatly increased the profits of salt and iron, bringing rich revenue to the state's finances. During this time Wang Lian also took care to select talent: Lü Yi, Du Qi, Liu Gan, and others all entered office on his recommendation and ultimately rose to high posts.^[1]

Wang Lian was subsequently promoted to Grand Administrator of Shu Commandery and granted the title of General Who Founds Enterprises, while continuing to oversee the salt office. In the first year of Jianxing (223), he was appointed Colonel of Garrison Cavalry and concurrently Senior Clerk to the Chancellor, and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Pingyang Precinct. At the time, the various commanderies of Shu Han's south had not yet fully submitted, and Zhuge Liang planned to lead an army on a personal campaign. Wang Lian remonstrated against this, holding that the south was "a barren land, a region of pestilence," and that it was not fitting to let the Chancellor, who bore the weighty hopes of the state, risk a personal campaign. He recommended that other generals be sent. Zhuge Liang, however, considering that the generals' abilities did not match his own, still held firm in his wish to campaign in person. Wang Lian's remonstrance was utterly earnest, causing Zhuge Liang to delay for a long while on this account. Not long after, Wang Lian died. His son Wang Shan inherited his rank and rose to Grand Administrator of Jiangyang.^[1]

In the Novel

In *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, Wang Lian's portrayal centers chiefly on the scene of his remonstrance on the eve of Zhuge Liang's Southern Campaign. He appears in the capacity of Grand Counselor of Remonstrance, frankly voicing his opposition when Zhuge Liang decided to campaign in person against the south.^[2]

Wang Lian remonstrated: "The south is a barren land, a region of miasma and pestilence; for the Chancellor, who bears the weighty charge of the state, to go on a distant campaign in person is not fitting. Moreover, Yong Kai and the rest are no more than a skin disease; the Chancellor need only send a single great general to subdue them, and success is assured." Zhuge Liang replied, however, that the land of the southern Man was remote from the Central Plains and its people unschooled in civilizing influence, making them very hard to win over; he must go in person to adopt a strategy of firmness and gentleness as the actual situation required, and this was not a matter that could lightly be entrusted to another. Although Wang Lian pleaded bitterly again and again, Zhuge Liang in the end did not heed his advice.^[2]

In the novel, Wang Lian's remonstrance highlights his image as a loyal and upright official, consistent with the historical episode of his dissuading Zhuge Liang from the Southern Campaign, though his specific office (Grand Counselor of Remonstrance) and the content of the dialogue are given literary embellishment. The novel does not detail Wang Lian's early experiences in the factions of Liu Zhang and Liu Bei, but places him directly on the political stage on the eve of Zhuge Liang's Southern Campaign, reinforcing his role as a frank remonstrator. In the novel, after Wang Lian's remonstrance, Zhuge Liang takes his leave of the Latter Sovereign, appoints Jiang Wan, Fei Yi, and others, designates great generals such as Zhao Yun and Wei Yan, and leads an army of five hundred thousand south, and in the course of this encounters Guan Suo, the third son of Guan Yu (an episode unique to the novel).^[2]

Key Relationships

* Liu Zhang's faction (serves): Wang Lian entered Shu during Liu Zhang's rule and served as magistrate of Zitong County, holding the city firmly against Liu Bei, showing his loyalty to Liu Zhang.^[1]
* Liu Bei's faction (serves): After Liu Bei took control of Yi Province, he admired Wang Lian's talent and integrity and appointed him magistrate of Shifang and of Guangdu, where he displayed outstanding administrative achievements during his tenure.^[1]
* Shu Han (serves): Wang Lian continued to be valued after the founding of Shu Han, rising to Grand Administrator of Shu Commandery, General Who Founds Enterprises, Colonel of Garrison Cavalry, and Senior Clerk to the Chancellor, and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Pingyang Precinct, making important contributions to Shu Han's finances and cultivation of talent.^[1]
* Zhuge Liang (advises_in): Wang Lian repeatedly offered counsel to Zhuge Liang, especially when Zhuge Liang planned the Southern Campaign, earnestly remonstrating as an important minister of state that it was not fitting for the Chancellor to risk the miasma and pestilence in person—embodying his upright and frank character.^[1]

Iconic Scenes

* Closing the city and refusing to surrender to Liu Bei: When Liu Bei advanced into Yi Province, Wang Lian, as magistrate of Zitong County, held the city firmly and would not surrender, displaying his unswerving integrity. Liu Bei therefore admired him and did not force an attack.^[1]
* As Colonel Director of Salt, generating profit and promoting talent: While serving as Colonel Director of Salt, Wang Lian successfully managed salt and iron affairs, bringing rich revenue to the treasury. More importantly, in this post he selected a group of outstanding talents such as Lü Yi, Du Qi, and Liu Gan, who all ultimately rose to high office, embodying Wang Lian's ability to recognize and employ men.^[1]
* Remonstrating against Zhuge Liang's Southern Campaign: When Zhuge Liang planned to campaign in person against the south, Wang Lian, as Senior Clerk to the Chancellor, frankly remonstrated, pointing out that the south was "a barren land, a region of pestilence" and that it was not fitting for the Chancellor to risk it in person. His remonstrance was so earnest that it once caused Zhuge Liang to delay for a long while. This scene is also vividly depicted in *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, further reinforcing his image of loyal and outspoken courage.^[1],^[2]