Wang Fu

Timeline

1. 1113–1118Bianjing (Kaifeng) · Kaifeng CityIn the third year of Zhenghe, Wang Fu was appointed Vice Chancellor, entering the ranks of those in power. He gained Huizong's trust by impeaching Cai Jing, Tong Guan, and others, forming a power rivalry with Cai Jing. During this period he participated in court decision-making, and the plan to ally with Jin against Liao gradually took shape.
2. 1118–1120Bianjing (Kaifeng) · Kaifeng CityIn the eighth year of Zhenghe, Huizong sent envoys by sea to the Jin state to negotiate an alliance, and Wang Fu participated in planning the strategy of allying with Jin against Liao. In the early Xuanhe era this plan gradually became a major court policy, planting the seeds for the later Song-Jin destruction of Liao and the Jin invasion of the south.
3. 1119Bianjing (Kaifeng) · Kaifeng CityIn the first month of the first year of Xuanhe, Wang Fu was leapfrogged eight ranks from Grand Master of Deliberation, appointed Junior Chancellor concurrently with Vice Director of the Zhongshu Department—a first since the founding of the Song. His power reached its peak, waxing as Cai Jing's waned, yet court politics continued to decay.
4. 1120Bianjing (Kaifeng) · Kaifeng CityIn the eleventh month of the second year of Xuanhe, Wang Fu was advanced to Junior Guardian and Senior Chancellor concurrently with Vice Director of the Menxia Department, and enfeoffed as Duke of Chu. Cai Jing was dismissed from the chancellorship that year. After Fang La's uprising broke out, Wang Fu strongly advocated restoring the Flower-and-Stone Transport; resentment in the southeast remained unresolved as the Northern Song's strength steadily declined.