王

CIVILIZATION DOSSIER

Wang Bodang王伯当

WagangHistory × Fiction

A general of Wagang, who recommended Li Mi.

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DIRECT FIGURES
11
RELATION RECORDS
19
SOURCE WORKS
3

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

Wang Bodang, and the people around them.

Open one chapter at a time. Each chapter gives the relationship first, then the source text behind it.

01
KINSHIP

Kinship

Blood, marriage and sworn bonds

5 figures · 6 records
1 more in the complete record
02
ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

4 figures · 5 records
03
CONFLICT

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

6 figures · 7 records
3 more in the complete record
04
THE UNSEEN

Mythic acts

Transformation, aid and divine punishment

1 figure · 1 record
  • Jia Runfu

    Jia Runfu→Wang Bodangreceive family

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    贾润甫听见大喜，催促一行人，随著王当仁，赶到赵大鹏店中与王伯当家眷会著

    Romance of Sui and Tang, 043

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12 key relationships are shown here. The complete record remains below.

FeatureFact and Fiction in the Sui-Tang Transition: The Lingyan Pavilion Officials vs. Outlaw Brotherhoods"Romance of Sui and Tang" writes this period of history as a jianghu of sworn brotherhood, martial contests, and roaming, while the "Old Book of Tang" records a different matter. The meritorious officials in the Lingyan Pavilion become greenwood brothers in the romance, and several of the most deeply rooted fierce generals are nowhere to be found in the official history; whereas a coup like the Xuanwu Gate Incident is actually written more plainly in the official history than in the romance. This piece compares the two sides, noting which volume each part comes from.

In history · Old Book of Tang

A general of Wagang, who recommended Li Mi. A subordinate of Li Mi, he followed Li Mi in rebelling against the Tang and was killed along with him. A native of Junyi, he, along with Li Ji, persuaded Zhai Rang to make Li Mi the leader.

In fiction · New Book of Tang · Romance of Sui and Tang

An old acquaintance of Qin Qiong, he traveled with Li Mi and met Qin Qiong at a tavern. A hero of Wagang Stockade. He and Li Xiansui visited Shan Xiongxin together and told him that the horse seller was Qin Shubao.

Across source works

How this figure changes across texts

Works are shown side by side, not as a chronology. No influence between texts is inferred.

  1. Official history

    Old Book of Tang

    6 profile notes
    2 relations3 verified quotations
    • Li Mi→ ruler-subject →Wang Bodang
    • Wang Bodang→ recommend →Li Mi
    Verified original text · 3
    1. 王伯当为左武卫将军，亦令为副

      subordinate · Old Book of Tang, 李密传

    2. 密因王伯当以策于让

      recommend · Old Book of Tang, 李密传

    1 more verified quotation in the relationship records below.

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  2. Literature / legend

    Romance of Sui and Tang

    34 profile notes
    18 relations24 verified quotations
    • Li Mi→ ruler-subject →Wang Bodang
    • Wang Bodang→ recommend →Li Mi
    • Wang Bodang→ sworn brotherhood →Li Mi
    • Wang Bodang→ protect master →Li Mi
    Verified original text · 24
    1. 王伯当右武侯大将军

      appoint official · Romance of Sui and Tang, 046

    2. 李密对王伯当道

      ruler-subject · Romance of Sui and Tang, 053

    22 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  3. Official history

    New Book of Tang

    4 profile notes
    1 relations1 verified quotations
    • Xu Shiji→ colleague →Wang Bodang
    Verified original text · 1
    1. 𪟝与浚仪王伯当共说让

      colleague · New Book of Tang, 李靖弟 客师孙 令问五代孙 彦芳李𪟝孙 敬业传

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History vs. fiction

The plot of Wang Bodang dying with Li Mi in an ambush is embellished in the novel with the tragic detail of 'embracing his lord to shield him.'

  • based on factHow did Wang Bodang die after Li Mi's rebellion against Tang failed?

    According to the Old Book of Tang, Biography of Li Mi, Li Mi rebelled against Tang and was ambushed by Sheng Yanshi south of Luhun County, where 'Li Mi was beheaded, aged thirty-seven. Wang Bodang also died in this incident.' Chapter 54 of Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties retains the outcome of the ambush, but to highlight Wang Bodang's loyalty, it adds the tragic detail that he 'desperately embraced Li Mi's body, shielding him in every possible way, and the two died together under a hail of arrows.' The novel amplifies the historical record of loyal death, which was briefly mentioned, through the imagery of arrows and embracing his lord.

Relationship network

12 figures · 94 links
Wang BodangWang BodangLi MiLi MiQin ShubaoQin ShubaoXu ShijiXu ShijiDou JiandeDou JiandeShan XiongxinShan XiongxinCheng ZhijieCheng ZhijieEmperor TangEmperor TangJia RunfuJia RunfuLi XuansuiLi XuansuiZhang XutuoZhang XutuoZhai Rang
historyliteraturedual
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Sources: New Book of Tang, 二刘殷许程柴任丘传; Old Book of Tang, 侯君集张亮薛万彻传; Romance of Sui and Tang, 009; New Book of Tang, 侯君集张亮薛万钧弟 万彻弟 万淑弟 万备附 盛彦师附 卢祖尚附 刘世让附 刘兰等传; Old Book of Tang, 屈突通任瓌丘和许绍李袭志姜謩传; Romance of Sui and Tang, 010; New Book of Tang, 李密传; Old Book of Tang, 李密传

This page was extracted from classical texts with AI assistance and revised; errors remain possible. Spotted a mistake? Tell us →

Compiled with AI assistance from public-domain texts; for cultural reference. Mythological accounts vary — corrections welcome.