Wang Lian, courtesy name Wenyi, was an official of the Yi province warlord Liu Zhang.
11 Facts About Wang Lian
1.
2.
Wang Lian was from Nanyang Commandery, which is around present-day Nanyang, Henan.
3.
Wang Lian entered Yi Province sometime between 194 and 213 in the late Eastern Han dynasty, when warlord Liu Zhang was the Governor of Yi Province.
4.
Wang Lian served as the Prefect of Zitong County under Liu Zhang during this time.
5.
When Liu Bei's forces attacked Zitong County, Wang Lian ordered his troops to hide behind the city walls and close the gates, and refused to surrender to Liu Bei.
6.
Wang Lian performed well in office and was later promoted to Colonel of the Salt Office to oversee and regulate the production and trade of salt and iron.
7.
Wang Lian was later given additional appointments as the Administrator of Shu Commandery and General of Revival while remaining in charge of the salt office.
8.
In 223, after Liu Shan became the emperor of the Shu Han state, Wang Lian was appointed as a Colonel of the Garrison Cavalry and as the Chief Clerk of Zhuge Liang, the Imperial Chancellor, becoming a senior assistant to the most powerful official in the kingdom.
9.
Wang Lian was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Pingyang Village.
10.
Wang Lian strongly objected and said that Zhuge Liang, given his important status, should not undertake the risk of going into the dangerous and distant Nanzhong region.
11.
However, Wang Lian's sincerity did make Zhuge Liang reconsider many times before he finalised his decision to go on the campaign in early 225.