Wang Chen (Three Kingdoms)


Wang Chen, courtesy name Chudao, was an official and historian of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China. After the Wei regime ended in 265, he continued serving in the government of the Jin dynasty. He wrote a five-volume text known as the Wang Chudao Collection or Wang Chen Collection, which is already lost over the course of history. He also wrote 14 chapters of the Quan Jin Wen.

Life

Wang Chen was from Jinyang County, Taiyuan Commandery, which is located southwest of present-day Taiyuan, Shanxi. His father Wang Ji died early so he was raised by his uncle, Wang Chang, who served as the Minister of Works in the Wei government. He was known for his literary talent and was employed by the regent Cao Shuang as a secretary. He was promoted to the position of a Gentleman Attendant later.
In 249, after Cao Shuang was ousted from power by Sima Yi, his co-regent, Wang Chen initially lost his appointment but was later restored to the civil service as a Palace Attendant. He co-wrote the 44-volume historical text Book of Wei with Xun Yi and Ruan Ji. The Wei emperor Cao Mao, who was fond of reading, called Wang Chen a "Master of Literature". In 260, when Cao Mao planned to launch a coup to seize back power from the regent Sima Zhao, he summoned Wang Chen, Wang Ye and Wang Jing to meet him in private and discuss their plans. However, Wang Chen and Wang Ye reported the plot to Sima Zhao instead, and Cao Mao ended up being assassinated by Sima Zhao's men. After Cao Mao's death, Sima Zhao awarded Wang Chen the title "Marquis of Anping" and 2,000 taxable households in his marquisate.
In 266, after Sima Yan, Sima Zhao's son, ended the state of Wei and established the Jin dynasty, Wang Chen continued to serve in the Jin government and held the appointments of a Master of Writing and a Regular Mounted Attendant. He died later that year and was posthumously awarded the title of a commandery duke.