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Wang Pi
Calligraphy tutor to the future Emperor Shunzong who, as a palace insider, co-led the Yongzhen Reform of 805 with Wang Shuwen.
Mural of the event “Yongzhen Reform”, which this person took part in.
In 805, under the ailing Emperor Shunzong, Wang Shuwen and Wang Pi directed the court, abolished the palace market and the Five Workshops' bird-catchers, and tried to take command of the Shence Army from the eunuchs. Shunzong abdicated in the eighth month, the reform ended and its leaders were demoted and sent away: the Two Wangs and Eight Adjutants.
Also known as Er Wang (paired with Wang Shuwen)
Wang Pi, a Hangzhou native, entered the crown prince's household as a calligraphy attendant of the Hanlin Academy and became close to Li Song. When the prince became Emperor Shunzong in 805, already speechless after a stroke, Wang was made Left Cavalier Attendant-in-Ordinary while remaining a Hanlin attendant, and he carried orders between the emperor, the eunuch Li Zhongyan and Wang Shuwen. Paired with Wang Shuwen as the 'Two Wangs', he was the reform's link inside the palace. After Wang Shuwen left office, Wang Pi petitioned in vain for his return; in the eighth month of 805 both were demoted, Wang Pi to marshal of Kaizhou, where he soon died of illness.
Life and times
- UnknownBorn
Tangactive in the Yongzhen Reform of 805; died in exile soon after (c. 806) - 805Yongzhen Reform
Took partAfter Emperor Shunzong took the throne in 805, Wang Shuwen and Wang Pi abolished the palace market and the Five Workshops' bird-catchers and sought to take the Shence Army from the eunuchs, but eunuch and regional opposition ended the reform with Shunzong's abdication that August.- Two Wangs, Eight Adjutants BanishedAfter the reform of 805 failed, Wang Shuwen and Wang Pi were banished and eight officials, including Liu Zongyuan to Yongzhou and Liu Yuxi to Langzhou, were demoted to adjutants of remote prefectures.
- Emperor Shunzong Abdicates to Li ChunIn the eighth month of 805 the ailing Emperor Shunzong handed the throne to Crown Prince Li Chun, who became Emperor Xianzong, an event known as the Yongzhen abdication.
- Two Wangs, Eight Adjutants Banished
- UnknownDied
