Wang Lang

Wang Lang (onyomi: Ō Rō) is one of the rulers of the Wu Territory. He, along with Yan Baihu and Liu Yao, was defeated by Sun Ce and he fled to Wei where he served as a high-ranking official. He is Wang Su's father and thus Wang Yuanji's grandfather.

Role in Games
In Dynasty Warriors 3, despite being a future Wei officer, he only appears at the Wu territory, wiped out by Sun Ce along with his officer Zhou Xin. For Dynasty Warriors 4, appears more often under Wei after the death of his colleagues in the Wu territory, such as at the Battle of Tian Shui. Wang Lang is one of the warlords conquered by Lu Bu in his Musou mode in Dynasty Warriors 6, when Lu Bu invades the Wu Territory and defeats the Allied lands at Shi Ting.

Wang Lang appears in Romance of the Three Kingdoms as an officer of Wei. Most of the games give him high ratings in both politics and intelligence. Prior to being a Wei officer, he might appear under the service of Tao Qian and later, he leads his own force in Huiji.

Quotes

 * "So the son of the tiger is a worthy adversary in his own right. We have not the strength to stop him."
 * "There's no way we can beat Sun Ce! I refuse to throw my life away for the likes of Liu Yong!"

Historical Information
Wang Lang was from Donghai commandery in Qing Province. He was originally named Wang Yan, but changed his name to Wang Lang before starting his career as a servant of the Chief of Staff. After the death of his teacher Yang Si, Wang Lang returned to his home and later joined Tao Qian. During his service for Tao Qian, he advised him to form an alliance with Dong Zhuo and Tao Qian sent an envoy to Chang'an. Tao Qian was appointed General Who Pacifies the South and Wang Lang was promoted to Governor of Kuaiji commandery in Jiangdong.

During his time as governor, he allied himself with the Shanyue tribe and financed the leader Yan Baihu during his battles against Sun Ce. Although Yan Baihu was defeated, he managed to gather a sizeable army again after the defeat of Liu Yao. Wang Lang ignored the advice of his strategist Yu Fan and joined Yan Baihu in the military operations. They were both defeated by Sun Ce and Wang Lang fled to Dongye. He tried to rebuild his power and allied himself with the bandit leader Zhang Ya, but they were defeated by He Qi. Wang Lang attempted to flee further south to Jiao Province, but was intercepted and captured by Sun Ce's men. He conducted a very humble speech that moved Sun Ce and caused him to release Wang Lang.

Around the year 200, Wang Lang was contacted by Cao Cao, who asked him to join him. Wang Lang hesitated at first but was eventually convinced by a letter from his friend Kong Rong and travelled to Xuchang via water. The journey took about one year. Cao Cao welcomed him in Xuchang and made him an advisor. Wang Lang would rise through ranks during his years of service and even become Minister of Works under Cao Pi. He made many proposals which were partly accepted by Cao Pi.

During the reign of Cao Rui, Wang Lang was promoted to Marquis of Lanling and earned a tax revenue of 2,000 households. When he went to Ye in order to visit the tomb of Zhenji, Wang Lang noticed that the populance was short on material. He thus wrote a memorial to Cao Rui to reduce the expenses on his extravagant palace and temple building projects. Cao Rui publically applauded Wang Lang's suggestion, but he appointed him as Minister over the Masses. Thus, Wang Lang would not monitor the construction of Cao Rui's palaces and temples anymore. Still, Cao Rui eventually reduced the scale of his constructions.

Afterwards, Wang Lang became concerned about his political future and suggested to Cao Rui to increase the size of his harem in order to appease him, to which Cao Rui wholeheartedly agreed. Wang Lang then focused on academic works and published several books before he died in December 228. He was posthumously named "Marquis Cheng", meaning "Marquis of establishment" and was succeeded by his son Wang Su. His granddaughter Wang Yuanji would eventually marry Sima Zhao and become the mother of Jin's first emperor Sima Yan.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In the novel, Wang Lang, despite being of old age, leads a few hundred soldiers into battle against Zhuge Liang. After Cao Zhen is defeated, the latter asks his subordinates for help. Wang Lang decides to persuade Zhuge Liang to surrender and engages him in a battle of words. He is soundly defeated by Zhuge Liang and so shocked by the latter's insults that he falls off his horse and dies.