Wang Yan (王言) | 24 Histories

Overview

Wang Yan was a Military Commander.

PeriodSui and Tang

IdentityHistorical · Male

Roles

Found in

Life and dates

Attested activity

AD 896 三年夏
Dated from the passage context · Old History of the Five Dynasties 22, passages 82-83
AD 897 使都將王言藏船; 與存節失期
Dated from the passage context · New History of the Five Dynasties 22, passages 115-116

Key source chapters

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 22 Volume 22 Book of Later Liang 22: Biographies 12: Yang Shihou, Niu Cunjie, Wang Tan 3 passages
New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 22 Volume 22 Later Liang Biographies 2: Kang Huaiying, Liu Xun, Niu Cunjie, Zhang Guiba, Wang Zhongshi, Xu Huaiyu 2 passages

Career and standing

commander 都將
Held
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 22, passage 115

Events and relationships

Failed night entry
Military · Commander · At Yan 鄆州
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 22, passages 83-84
Missed rendezvous
AD 897 言伏不敢動，與存節失期 · Military · Subordinate
Directly stated · New History of the Five Dynasties 22, passage 116

References in the histories

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 22Volume 22 Book of Later Liang 22: Biographies 12: Yang Shihou, Niu Cunjie, Wang Tan · 3 passages

Open chapter

三年夏，太祖東討鄆州，存節領軍次故樂亭，扼其要路，都指揮使龐師古屯馬頰，存節密與都將王言謀入鄆壘。 In the summer of year 3 the Founder marched on Yan; Cunjie blocked the road at old Leting while Pang Shigu camped at Majia; Cunjie and commander Wang Yan plotted a night entry into Yan.

十二月，存節遣王言夜伏勇士於州西北，以船逾濠，舉梯登陴。 In the twelfth month he sent Wang Yan to hide men northwest of the city; boats crossed the ditch and ladders reached the parapet.

既而王言不克入，存節獨率伏軍負梯童破其西甕城，奪其濠橋，諸軍俱進。 Wang Yan could not enter; Cunjie alone led the hidden troops bearing ladders in a mass assault on the west barbican, seized the moat bridge, and all armies advanced together.

New History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 22Volume 22 Later Liang Biographies 2: Kang Huaiying, Liu Xun, Niu Cunjie, Zhang Guiba, Wang Zhongshi, Xu Huaiyu · 2 passages

Open chapter

梁兵攻鄆，存節使都將王言藏船鄆西北隅濠中，期以日午渡兵逾濠急攻之。 When Liang besieged Yan, Cunjie hid boats in the northwest moat under Commander Wang Yan, planning a noon crossing for a sudden assault.

會營中火起，鄆人登城望火，言伏不敢動，與存節失期，存節獨破鄆西甕城門，奪其濠橋，梁兵得俱進，遂破朱宣。 A camp fire broke out; Yan’s defenders climbed the walls to watch; Wang Yan stayed hidden and missed the hour; Cunjie alone stormed the western barbican, seized the moat bridge, and Liang’s whole force poured in and broke Zhu Xuan.