# Wang Pu
**Wang Pu** (王溥, 922–982) was a chief councilor (宰相) who served under the last emperor of the [Later Zhou](https://www.edgepedia.org/later-zhou) and under the first emperor of the Song. According to the China Biographical Database, his courtesy name was Qi Wu (齐物) (also Heng Dao (亨道)), and his posthumous name was Wen Xian (文献).[1](https://cbdb.fas.harvard.edu/cbdbapi/person.php?id=0008152)
| Key facts | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born – died | 922 – 982; died at 61 (sui)[1](https://cbdb.fas.harvard.edu/cbdbapi/person.php?id=0008152) |
| Dynasties served | Later Han, Later Zhou, Northern Song[2](http://www.xuoda.com/ls/songshi/0107.htm) • [3](https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/舊五代史/卷113) • [4](https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/宋史/卷210) |
| Chief councilor | Under Later Zhou; continued as councilor under the Song[1](https://cbdb.fas.harvard.edu/cbdbapi/person.php?id=0008152) |
| Highest Song offices | Minister of Works (司空, 960); Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent (太子太保, 964); Grand Preceptor (太师)[4](https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/宋史/卷210) • [1](https://cbdb.fas.harvard.edu/cbdbapi/person.php?id=0008152) |
| Enfeoffments | Duke of Qi (祁国公) and Duke of Lu (鲁国公)[1](https://cbdb.fas.harvard.edu/cbdbapi/person.php?id=0008152) |
## Origins and family
The China Biographical Database record names his father as Wang Yanzuo (王延祚), his wives Chang Shi (常氏) and Shen Shi (申氏), four sons, [Wang Yisun](https://www.edgepedia.org/wang-yisun) (王贻孙), Wang Yizheng (王贻正), Wang Yiqing (王贻庆), and Wang Yiju (王贻矩), and grandsons Wang Yiyong (王贻永) and Wang Huan (王涣).[1](https://cbdb.fas.harvard.edu/cbdbapi/person.php?id=0008152) Research accounts add that his father Wang Zuo (王祚) handled the salt-and-iron case of the Three Commissions under the [Later Jin](https://www.edgepedia.org/later-jin) and that the family accumulated substantial land and wealth.[6](https://doosho.com/cn/177/7/4/24/2) • [7](https://www.jihaige.com/writer-wangpu.html)
## Career
According to a modern biographical account of Wang Pu, he passed the jinshi (highest imperial Chinese civil-service examination degree) examination in the first rank (甲科), an outcome the examiner Wang Renyu (王仁裕) is said to have granted after noting his bearing; the account gives conflicting figures, stating that Wang Pu was twenty-five at the time in one passage and 26 in another.[8](https://www.zhonghuadiancang.com/renwu/wangpu/) He was first appointed Assistant in the Palace Library (秘书郎) and then joined the staff of [Guo Wei](https://www.edgepedia.org/guo-wei) (郭威), then Military Affairs Commissioner.[1](https://cbdb.fas.harvard.edu/cbdbapi/person.php?id=0008152)
Under the Zhou his rise was rapid. In 953 (广顺三年) he was made Vice Minister of Revenue (户部侍郎) while a Hanlin Academician, and later Academician of Duanming Hall (端明殿学士).[3](https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/舊五代史/卷113) Wang Pu was 32 when he became councilor, and he went on to serve Emperor Shizong and then [Emperor Taizu of Song](https://www.edgepedia.org/emperor-taizu-of-song) as councilor.[1](https://cbdb.fas.harvard.edu/cbdbapi/person.php?id=0008152) He also composed the mourning text (哀册文) for Zhou Taizu's funeral.[3](https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/舊五代史/卷113)
When Zhao Kuangyin (赵匡胤) took the throne in 960 (建隆元年), Wang Pu and the two other Zhou councilors were confirmed in office; Wang Pu was promoted to Minister of Works (司空) while remaining councilor, and in the second month he was relieved of his concurrent post in the [Bureau of Military Affairs](https://www.edgepedia.org/bureau-of-military-affairs) (参知枢密院事).[4](https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/宋史/卷210) He petitioned for the compilation of the *Shizong Shilu* (《世宗实录》), the veritable records of Emperor Shizong.[2](http://www.xuoda.com/ls/songshi/0107.htm) According to the *Song Shi*, he later left the councilorship and was made Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent (太子太保), and he later rose to Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent and Grand Preceptor (太师).[4](https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/宋史/卷210)
## Political influence
Wang Pu's influence ran through personnel and institutions rather than through any faction of his own. He and the senior councilor [Fan Zhi](https://www.edgepedia.org/fan-zhi) (范质) were both made concurrent participants in the Bureau of Military Affairs (参知枢密院事), sharing military administration, and he was one of the designated ministers to guide the young Emperor Gong after Shizong's death.[6](https://doosho.com/cn/177/7/4/24/2)
His transition to the Song was smooth, and modern historians read it as accommodation. As Zhao Kuangyin's power grew, the *History of Song* tradition records that Wang Pu "secretly offered his allegiance" and presented his own residence and gardens to please him; after the Chenqiao mutiny he was the first to descend the steps and bow.[6](https://doosho.com/cn/177/7/4/24/2) One modern account holds that in 964 his dismissal to a princely-mentor post raised his rank while removing his power, and that the arrangement of court seating then fixed by Taizu became standing practice.[8](https://www.zhonghuadiancang.com/renwu/wangpu/)
## Death, titles, and heirs
His heirs included several sons and his grandsons Wang Yiyong and Wang Huan.[1](https://cbdb.fas.harvard.edu/cbdbapi/person.php?id=0008152)
## Assessment and disputed points
According to the *Old History of the Five Dynasties*, Taizu of Zhou expressed dying confidence in Wang Pu, and according to the *History of Song* tradition, Shizong paid tribute to his choice of commander.[3](https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/舊五代史/卷113) • [9](https://www.xuoba.com/ls/songshi/0107.htm) Modern historians weigh this against his accommodation of Zhao Kuangyin, including the secret offer of allegiance and the first bow after the mutiny.[6](https://doosho.com/cn/177/7/4/24/2)
Several points are disputed among sources. On the office he received when dismissed in 964, the *History of Song* gives Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent (太子太保), and the *History of Song* table in the standard record supports 太子太保.[4](https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/宋史/卷210) On the completion of the *Wudai Huiyao*, a doctoral study infers 963 from internal evidence.[10](https://www.globethesis.com/?t=1115360305972955) On his age at the jinshi examination, Wang Pu's own statement of twenty-five sits beside the same source's statement of 26.[8](https://www.zhonghuadiancang.com/renwu/wangpu/)
## Legacy
Wang Pu's lasting legacy is the huiyao genre. He assembled Su Mian (苏冕)'s *Huiyao* and Cui Xuan (崔铉)'s continuation, filled their gaps, and produced the 100-juan *Tang Huiyao*; he then covered the Five Dynasties period from Later Liang to Later Zhou in the about-25-juan *Wudai Huiyao*, which a doctoral study counts as over 220 topical entries (about 220 after merging six).[8](https://www.zhonghuadiancang.com/renwu/wangpu/) • [10](https://www.globethesis.com/?t=1115360305972955) The *Wudai Huiyao* remains a basic source for the institutions of the period, and the study infers its completion in 963 with the Five Dynasties veritable records as its main source.[10](https://www.globethesis.com/?t=1115360305972955) Later works followed his model, including the officially compiled *Song Huiyao*, Xu Tianlin (徐天麟)'s *Western Han Huiyao* and *Eastern Han Huiyao*, and Qing-era compilations for the Qin, Three Kingdoms, and Ming periods.[5](http://hx5q.cn/detail/au_2401.whtml)
## References
1. China Biographical Database (CBDB), person 8152 王溥. https://cbdb.fas.harvard.edu/cbdbapi/person.php?id=0008152
2. 宋史·王溥传, 学达书库. http://www.xuoda.com/ls/songshi/0107.htm
3. 《旧五代史》卷一百一十三 (passages naming 王溥), Wikisource transcription. https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/舊五代史/卷113
4. 《宋史》卷二百一十 (passages naming 王溥), Wikisource transcription. https://zh.wikisource.org/wiki/宋史/卷210
5. 王溥, 古文诗词鉴赏. http://hx5q.cn/detail/au_2401.whtml
6. 第二节 王溥魏仁浦, 《中国通史》第七卷, 白寿彝主编. https://doosho.com/cn/177/7/4/24/2
7. 王溥, 集海阁. https://www.jihaige.com/writer-wangpu.html
8. 王溥人物简介, 中华典藏. https://www.zhonghuadiancang.com/renwu/wangpu/
9. 宋史·王溥传, 学巴书馆影印点校. https://www.xuoba.com/ls/songshi/0107.htm
10. The Research On Wang Pu And Wu Dai Hui Yao (doctoral dissertation). https://www.globethesis.com/?t=1115360305972955
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Society and history › History and archaeology › Asian history › China › Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms (907 to 979) › States and rulers › Officials, institutions, and military affairs*
*Initially written Sep 23, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 15, 2026 · Last review: Sep 30, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license