Wang Lingmou
Wang Lingmou (Chinese:
As Xu Zhigao's staff member
[edit]It is not known when Wang Lingmou was born or where he was from.[3]
As of 912, Xu Zhigao's adoptive father Xu Wen was the regent of Wu. As a result, Xu Zhigao became the prefect of Sheng Prefecture (
In 918, by which time Xu Wen was remotely controlling the Wu political scene after stationing himself at Sheng Prefecture, Xu Zhigao was serving as the military prefect (
In 927, Xu Wen died. Xu Zhigao subsequently engaged in a power struggle with a younger adoptive brother (Xu Wen's biological son), Xu Zhixun (younger), as Xu Zhigao controlled the court scene at Guangling, but the younger Xu Zhixun controlled Wu's largest army, then at Sheng Prefecture. Wang continued to provide strategies for Xu Zhigao, and pointed out to him that he needed not to worry about the younger Xu Zhixun, as the younger Xu Zhixun was young and not capable in managing personal relationships with other officials. Not too long after, Xu Zhigao was able to trick the younger Xu Zhixun into coming to Guangling to defend himself against various accusations. Xu Zhigao detained the younger Xu Zhixun and took over his troops, ending the younger Xu Zhixun's challenge to his status as regent.[6]
As chancellor
[edit]Shortly after Xu Zhigao's prevailing over the younger Xu Zhixun, Wang Lingmou was given the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (
In 934, Wang was given the additional titles of Situ (
In 937, Wang personally went to Jinling to urge Xu Zhigao (who had changed his name to Xu Gao by that point and carried that title of Prince of Qi) to accept the throne from then-Wu emperor Yang Pu. Xu Gao did not do so at that time. At that time, Wang himself was ill, and was described to be in such old age that he was toothless. When people urged him to retire, he stated, "The great works for the Prince of Qi are not done. How can I rest myself?" He again wrote a petition urging Xu to accept the throne. Shortly after, apparently persuaded, Xu had Yang issue an edict passing the throne to him, and a group of high-level Wu officials went from Guangling to Jinling to urge him to take the throne. Before Xu accepted, however, Wang died.[1]
Notes and references
[edit]- Spring and Autumn Annals of the Ten Kingdoms, vol. 10.
- Zizhi Tongjian, vols. 268, 270, 276, 277, 281.