Writers › Writer / Poet

Wang Rong

Southern Qi writer from Linyi, one of the Eight Friends of Jingling, famed for his Preface to the Qushui Poems; he died in prison aged 27.

Also known as Yuanchang · Wang Ningshuo

Wang Rong, courtesy name Yuanchang, was a Southern Qi writer from Linyi in Langye and one of the Eight Friends of Jingling around Xiao Ziliang. He held posts from legal clerk to Secretary Gentleman, and in 493 became General Who Pacifies the North, hence Wang Ningshuo. He is best known for his ornate Preface to the Qushui Poems, and his works were gathered by Zhang Pu as the Wang Ningshuo Ji. When Emperor Wu lay dying he tried to put Xiao Ziliang on the throne, failed, and was imprisoned and ordered to die after the new emperor's accession, aged 27.

Life and times

Dates 467 CE-493 CE

EraNorthern and Southern