Wen Ping ( zh, c=文聘, p=Wén Pìn; 208 - 240s),

courtesy name A courtesy name ( zh, s=字, p=zì, l=character), also known as a style name, is an additional name bestowed upon individuals at adulthood, complementing their given name. This tradition is prevalent in the East Asian cultural sphere, particula ...

Zhongye, was a military general who lived during the late

Eastern Han dynasty The Han dynasty was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China (202 BC9 AD, 25–220 AD) established by Liu Bang and ruled by the House of Liu. The dynasty was preceded by the short-lived Qin dynasty (221–206 BC ...

and

Three Kingdoms The Three Kingdoms of Cao Wei, Shu Han, and Eastern Wu dominated China from AD 220 to 280 following the end of the Han dynasty. This period was preceded by the Eastern Han dynasty and followed by the Jin dynasty (266–420), Western Jin dyna ...

period of China. During his tenure as a general under the warlord

Cao Cao Cao Cao (; ; ; 15 March 220), courtesy name Mengde, was a Chinese statesman, warlord, and poet who rose to power during the end of the Han dynasty (), ultimately taking effective control of the Han central government. He laid the foundation f ...

, he was credited with defeating the enemy general Guan Yu and defending Cao Cao's interests in

Jiangxia Commandery Jiangxia Commandery ( zh, 江夏郡) was a Chinese commandery that existed from Han dynasty to Tang dynasty. Its territories were located in present-day eastern Hubei province. History Jiangxia Commandery was established during the reign of Emper ...

from the eastern warlord

Sun Quan Sun Quan (; 182 – 21 May 252), courtesy name Zhongmou (), posthumous name, posthumously known as Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of Eastern Wu, one of the Three Kingdoms of China. He inherited control of the warlord regime established by hi ...

.''Sanguozhi'' vol. 18.

Early life

Wen Ping was from Wan County (), which is in present-day

Nanyang, Henan Nanyang is a prefecture-level city in the southwest of Henan province, China. The city with the largest administrative area in Henan, Nanyang borders Xinyang to the southeast, Zhumadian to the east, Pingdingshan to the northeast, Luoyang to the n ...

. He originally served under

Liu Biao Liu Biao () () ( 151 – September 208), courtesy name Jingsheng, was a Chinese military general, politician, and warlord who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He is best known for serving as the governor of Jing Province (coveri ...

, the Governor of

Jing Province Jingzhou or Jing Province was one of the Nine Provinces of ancient China referenced in early Chinese texts such as the ''Yu Gong, Tribute of Yu'', ''Erya'', and ''Rites of Zhou''. Jingzhou became an administrative division during the reign of E ...

, and was tasked with defending the province's northern frontier, stationed at Xiangyang. In 208, after Liu Biao's death, his younger son and successor Liu Cong surrendered to the warlord

, who was the ''de facto'' head of the Han central government. When Liu Cong went to greet Cao Cao, he passed by Wen Ping's camp and urged him to come with but Wen Ping replied "I could not defend the province, and must go face my failure and nothing more". Once when Cao Cao crossed the Han River did Wen Ping go to meet the warlord. When Cao Cao asked him why he surrendered so late, he weepingly replied "In former days, I failed to assist Liu Biao serve the state. Though Liu Biao is dead, I was still hoping to hold the line of the Han and maintain that territory intact. That way, if I lived I would not be turning my back on the orphaned and weak, and if I died there would be no shame below the ground. The decision, however, has been taken out of my hands, and so we come to this. Indeed, I am sad and ashamed and I could not face coming to audience any earlier". Cao Cao praised Wen Pin's loyalty and returned his military command though the later commentator Sun Sheng was critical, wondering how the former officer of

Lü Bu Lü Bu (; died 7 February 199), courtesy name Fengxian, was a Chinese military general, politician, and warlord who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty of Imperial China. Originally a subordinate of a minor warlord Ding Yuan, he betrayed a ...

, Zang Ba and Wen Ping could retain their reputation for loyalty yet change loyalty after one meeting with Cao Cao.

Service under Cao Cao

Wen Ping was sent with cavalry commander Cao Chun to pursue Cao Cao's fleeing rival,

Liu Bei Liu Bei (, ; ; 161 – 10 June 223), courtesy name Xuande (), was a China, Chinese warlord in the late Han dynasty#Eastern Han, Eastern Han dynasty who later became the founding Emperor of China, emperor of Shu Han, one of the Three Kingdoms of ...

, and caught up with him at the Battle of Changban. However, Liu Bei managed to escape and form an alliance with the eastern warlord

. In the winter of 208–209, the allied forces of Sun Quan and Liu Bei defeated Cao Cao's forces at the decisive

Battle of Red Cliffs The Battle of Red Cliffs, also known as the Battle of Chibi, was a decisive naval battle in China that took place during the winter of AD 208–209. It was fought on the Yangtze River between the forces of warlords controlling different parts ...

. After his defeat, Cao Cao was concerned about local loyalties with concerns about Eastern Wu's expansion so appointed Wen Ping as the Administrator of Jiangxia Commandery (commandery capital in present-day Xinzhou District, Wuhan,

Hubei Hubei is a province of China, province in Central China. It has the List of Chinese provincial-level divisions by GDP, seventh-largest economy among Chinese provinces, the second-largest within Central China, and the third-largest among inland ...

), which was located strategically near the border between Cao Cao and Sun Quan's territories and rivaled veteran Sun general

Cheng Pu Cheng Pu () (170-210), courtesy name Demou, was a Chinese military general and politician serving under the warlord Sun Quan during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He previously served under Sun Quan's predecessors: Sun Jian (Sun Quan's f ...

's claim to the area. Cao Cao also had

Emperor Xian Emperor Xian of Han (2 April 181 – 21 April 234), personal name Liu Xie (劉協), courtesy name Bohe, was the 14th and last emperor of the Eastern Han dynasty of China. He reigned from 28 September 189 until his abdication and subsequent end ...

, the figurehead Han emperor, enoff Wen Ping as a Secondary Marquis (), the lowest among the marquis ranks of the Han dynasty. In 209, Wen Ping joined Cao Cao's general

Cao Ren Cao Ren () (168 – 6 May 223), courtesy name Zixiao, was a military general serving during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China under the warlord Cao Cao, who was also his older second cousin. He continued serving in the state of Cao Wei � ...

at the Battle of Jiangling against Sun Quan's forces led by the general

Zhou Yu Zhou Yu (, ) (175–210), courtesy name Gongjin (), was a Chinese military general and strategist serving under the warlord Sun Ce in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. After Sun Ce died in the year 200, he continued serving under Sun Qua ...

. When Liu Bei's general Guan Yu attempted to cut off Cao Ren's communication lines, Wen Ping and his colleague Yue Jin, station at Xiangyang, defeated Guan Yu at Xunkou (尋口) and drove him back. In recognition of his contributions in battle, the Han imperial court promoted Wen Ping to a village marquis under the title "Marquis of Yanshou Village" (延壽亭侯) and awarded him the appointment of General Who Attacks Rebels (討逆將軍). Wen Ping launched further raids, destroying Guan Yu's supply train at Han Ford (漢津) and burnt his fleet at Jingcheng. At the time, Wen Ping and Yue Jin successfully secured the supply and communication lines of Jiangling; however, the casualties on Cao Cao's forces were beyond affordable level after nearly a year of intense fighting, so Cao Cao admitted defeat and ordered his generals to forfeit Jiangling. From then on Wen Ping entered into a defensive position in the eastern flank at Jiangxia Commandery against Sun Quan and rival claimant Cheng Pu.

Service under Cao Pi

After Cao Cao's death in 220, his eldest living son

Cao Pi Cao Pi () (late 187 – 29 June 226), courtesy name Zihuan, was the first emperor of the state of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period of China. He was the second son of Cao Cao, a warlord who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty, but the ...

became emperor of the

Cao Wei Wei () was one of the major Dynasties in Chinese history, dynastic states in China during the Three Kingdoms period. The state was established in 220 by Cao Pi based upon the foundations laid by his father Cao Cao during the end of the Han dy ...

state after Emperor Xian abdicated, as part of the rewards of the new regime Wen Ping was given a staff of authority and raised in fiefdom to "Marquis of Chang'an District" (). In 222, with

Lu Xun Lu Xun ( zh, c=魯迅, p=Lǔ Xùn, ; 25 September 188119 October 1936), pen name of Zhou Shuren, born Zhou Zhangshou, was a Chinese writer. A leading figure of modern Chinese literature, he wrote in both vernacular and literary Chinese as a no ...

's victory against Liu Bei at the

Battle of Xiaoting The Battle of Xiaoting (猇亭之戰), also known as the Battle of Yiling and the Battle of Yiling and Xiaoting, was fought between the states of Shu Han and Eastern Wu, in the years 221 and 222 during the early Three Kingdoms period of China. T ...

removing a threat from King Sun Quan's borders, the Wu ruler refused to send his son Sun Deng as hostage to Wei court. Cao Pi formulated a plan for a three-pronged attack on Sun Quan, ordering Wen Ping to join the generals Zhang He, Xu Huang,

Xiahou Shang Xiahou Shang (died May or June 226),According to the ''Book of Jin'', Xiahou Shang died in the 4th month of the 7th year of the ''Huangchu'' era of Cao Pi's reign. This corresponds to 14 May to 12 June 226 in the proleptic Gregorian calendar. ( ...

and Cao Zhen in attacking Sun Quan's stronghold at Jiangling. Like the last battle at Jiangling, the Wei forces enjoyed numerical advantage, but this time, they were on the offensive. However, the Wei forces ultimately did not make much progress because the defenders under Zhu Ran put up a strong resistance. Wu sent a series of reinforcements and against one (commander unknown) of those waves, Wen Ping was sent with his detachment to defend Miankou, a key chokepoint of the Mian River, with his warships, winning at Shifan. Cao Pi eventually called off the attack on Jiangling due to epidemic through Wei ranks and rewarded Wen Pin with a promotion to General of the Rear (), in addition to elevating him from a district marquis to a county marquis under the title "Marquis of Xinye" ().

Service under Cao Rui and legacy

Wu had avoided attacking Wen Ping's position at his capital of Shiyang (), something Wei recorded credited due to his fame shaking Wu after decades of good service. There was one exception, in the autumn of 226 after the death of Cao Pi with his son

Cao Rui Cao Rui () (204 or 205 – 22 January 239), courtesy name Yuanzhong, was the second emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. His parentage is in dispute: his mother, Lady Zhen, was Yuan Xi's wife, but she later remarr ...

new to the throne. Sun Quan sought to take advantage on hearing the news and led 50,000 troops against Wei Ping's capital. There are two versions of what exactly happened. In the main ''Sanguozhi'', Wen Ping was besieged for over twenty days but put up a resilient defence. Word reached the Cao Wei court but Cao Rui was confident since he believed Sun Quan had only attacked in the hopes of catching the defenders by surprise and wouldn't dare stay too long, now that he was engaged in a siege with Wen Ping. The official Xun Yu was dispatched with a thousand troops and he gathered more from the counties he passed through on the way to Jiangxia. On arrival, Xun Yu and his army took to the hills, setting fires as a show of force. Sun Quan retreated and Wen Ping pursued during the night, inflicting casualties with the isolated enemy general

Pan Zhang Pan Zhang (died 234), courtesy name Wengui, was a military general serving under the warlord Sun Quan during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He continued serving in the state of Eastern Wu (founded by Sun Quan) during the Three Kingdoms ...

having to be rescued by Zhu Ran. For his victory, Wei Ping's fief was increased by 500 households. The Cao Wei historian Yu Huan provides an alternative account in his ''Weilüe''. Sun Quan led tens of thousands against Shiyang where heavy rains had damaged the walls while the people were scattered among the fields so repairs could not be carried out in time. Without the walls and outnumbered, Wen Ping was in a bind but then thought that, if it seemed nobody was in the city, Sun Quan would get suspicious and expect a ploy. Wen Ping had everyone hide and remained in his residence. Sun Quan was puzzled since the Cao Wei court would not leave such an important post in the hands of a figure they did not trust so Wei Ping's lack of reaction to an invading army must be due to a ploy or knowing reinforcements were coming so Sun Quan ordered an immediate withdrawal.

Pei Songzhi Pei Songzhi (372–451), courtesy name Shiqi, was a Chinese historian and politician who lived in the late Eastern Jin dynasty and the Liu Song dynasty. His ancestral home was in Wenxi County, Shanxi Shanxi; Chinese postal romanizati ...

notes the account contradicts the base text of

Chen Shou Chen Shou ( zh , t = 陳壽 ; 233–297), courtesy name Chengzuo (), was a Chinese historian, politician, and writer who lived during the Three Kingdoms period and Jin dynasty of China. Chen Shou is best known for his most celebrated work, the ...

. It would be his last known battle. It is not known when Wen Ping died. After his death, he was honored with the

posthumous title A posthumous name is an honorary name given mainly to revered dead people in East Asian culture. It is predominantly used in Asian countries such as China, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand. Reflecting on the person's accomplishments ...

"Marquis Zhuang" () by the Wei government. His adopted son, Wen Xiu (), inherited his marquis title ("Marquis of Xinye") because his biological son, Wen Dai (), died early. Wen Xiu was in turn succeeded by his son, Wen Wu (), after his death. Wen Ping also had a nephew, Wen Hou (), who was enfeoffed as a secondary marquis. In August 243, with the young Cao Fang on the throne under the regency of

Cao Shuang Cao Shuang (died 9 February 249), courtesy name Zhaobo, was a Chinese military general and regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He was the eldest son of Cao Zhen, a prominent general of Cao Wei. He initially ...

and

Sima Yi Sima Yi (; ; 179 CE7 September 251 CE), courtesy name Zhongda, was a Chinese military general, politician, and regent of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He formally began his political career in 208 under th ...

, sacrifices were made at the temple dedicated to Cao Cao to a select group of former officers, including Wen Ping.''Sanguozhi'' vol. 4. The 7th month of the 4th year of the ''Zheng'shi'' era corresponds to 3 to 31 Aug 243 in the Julian calendar. Other officials who were granted this honor include Cao Zhen, Cao Xiu,

Xiahou Yuan Xiahou Yuan () (died February 219), courtesy name Miaocai, was a Chinese military general and politician serving under the warlord Cao Cao in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He is known for his exploits in western China (in parts of prese ...

, Huan Jie, Chen Qun,

Zhong Yao Zhong Yao (鍾繇, 151 – April or May 230), also referred to as Zhong You, courtesy name Yuanchang (元常), was a Chinese calligrapher and politician who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty and Three Kingdoms period of China. He serv ...

, Zhang He, Xu Huang,

Zhang Liao Zhang Liao () (169 – late 222), courtesy name Wenyuan, was a Chinese military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He served briefly in the state of Cao Wei, founded by Cao Cao's successor Cao P ...

, Yue Jin,

Hua Xin Hua Xin (157 – 30 January 232), courtesy name Ziyu, was a Chinese politician who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty and Three Kingdoms period of China. He initially served directly under the central government of the Eastern Han dynast ...

, Wang Lang), Cao Hong, Li Dian, Zang Ba, Zhu Ling,

Pang De Pang De () (died 219), courtesy name Lingming, was a Chinese military general who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty. He started his career under the warlord Ma Teng, who was based in Liang Province. In 211, Ma Teng's son Ma Chao, along w ...

and Dian Wei.

In ''Romance of the Three Kingdoms''

Wen Ping first appears in chapter 34, he and Wang Wei recommended by Kuai Yue to hold a banquet for military officers so Zhao Yun would have to attend, allowing Cai Mao to attempt to kill Liu Bei without his bodyguard though, thanks to a tip off, the attempt to kill Liu Bei would fail. He next appears after Liu Cong surrenders, Liu Bei appears at the regime's capital of

Xiangyang Xiangyang is the second-largest prefecture-level city by population in northwestern Hubei province, China. It was known as Xiangfan from 1950 to 2010. The Han River (Hanshui), Han River runs through Xiangyang's centre and divides the city n ...

to seek a meeting and Wei Yan opens the gates. Wen Ping takes some horsemen to stop him and fights Wei Yan, Liu Bei is concerned by this reception and leaves. The battle between Wei Yan and Wen Ping lasts for some hours with most combatants dead before Wei Yan flees. Refuses to go to Cao Cao, then the weeping submission scene, immediately made Governor of Jiangxia and enoffed. Takes part in pursuit of Liu Bei at Changban, intercepting Liu Bei but is ashamed when Liu Bei calls him a turncoat and retreats. When Zhao Yun rescues the infant

Liu Shan Liu Shan (, 207–271), courtesy name Gongsi, was the second and last emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. As he ascended the throne at the age of 16, Liu Shan was entrusted to the care of the Chancellor Zhuge Liang ...

and fights his way back to Liu Bei, Wen Ping pursues but halts when they come against

Zhang Fei Zhang Fei () (; died July or August 221 AD), courtesy name Yide (益德), was a Chinese military general and politician serving under the warlord Liu Bei in the late Han dynasty#Eastern Han, Eastern Han dynasty and early Three Kingdoms period ...

's fierce appearance on the bridge and what they fear is an ambush. At Chibi, as a man used to the waters, given command of the left squadron of the naval forces, dispatched with thirty ships to support Jiao Chu and Zhang Neng's unsuccessful attack, battles the naval forces of Han Dang and Zhou Tai but soon discovers his forces are outmatched so retreat. Sent to intercept

Huang Gai Huang Gai () ( 180s–210s), courtesy name Gongfu, was a military general who served under the warlord Sun Quan during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He previously served under Sun Quan's predecessors – Sun Jian (Sun Quan's father) and ...

's approaching ships as Cheng Yu realizes the defection is fake, however Wen Ping is injured by an arrow to the arm and his forces collapse with Huang Gai launching his fire attack on the main fleet. Is able to escape with Mao Jie and a few horsemen to rejoin Cao Cao on the troubled march home. Takes part in archery contest to celebrate opening of the Bronze Bird Terrace in Ye, impressing as he hits bulls-eye at full gallop. Takes part in the defense of Hanzhong, when Huang Zhong attempts to raid the supply lines the attackers are surrounded and Zhang Zhu's attempt to return to camp is intercepted by Wen Ping but Zhao Yun arrives to drive off Wei Ping's men with subordinate Murong Lie killed. In 224, with Cao Cao dead and Cao Pi having taken the throne, made a chief commander for campaign against Eastern Wu who were negotiating to restore alliance with Shu-Han. Cao Pi's forces arrive at Guangling but are shocked as opposing commander

Xu Sheng Xu Sheng (died 224–229), courtesy name Wenxiang, was a military general serving under the warlord Sun Quan in the late Eastern Han dynasty and early Three Kingdoms period of China. Early life and career Xu Sheng was from Ju County (), Lang ...

builds fake-walls overnight. As Cao Pi considers his options, his capital ship is hit by a storm and Cao Zhen sends Wen Ping to rescue those on the ship. Wen Ping's sailors were too scared by the storm so, with the great ship seeming likely to capsize, Wen Ping leapt on board and got Cao Pi to the safety of a small boat that took the Emperor to a creek to stay out the storm. With news coming of an attack by Zhao Yun in the north-east, Cao Pi retreats and Wen Ping's time in the novel ends.

References

* Chen, Shou (3rd century). ''

Records of the Three Kingdoms The ''Records of the Three Kingdoms'' is a Chinese official history written by Chen Shou in the late 3rd century CE, covering the end of the Han dynasty (220 CE) and the subsequent Three Kingdoms period (220–280 CE). It is regard ...

'' (''Sanguozhi''). * * Pei, Songzhi (5th century). ''

Annotated Records of the Three Kingdoms ''Annotated Records of the Three Kingdoms'' () by Pei Songzhi (372–451) is an annotation completed in the 5th century of the 3rd century historical text ''Records of the Three Kingdoms'', compiled by Chen Shou. After the fall of the Eastern Jin ...