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Wang Yan

Type Figure Region Southern Song Time c. 1090–1139 Also known as Wang Zicai、Commander of the Eight-Character Army

Wang Yan (c. 1090–1139), courtesy name Zicai, was a Southern Song general resisting the Jin, from Shangdang.…

Timeline

  1. 1127–1130Taihang Mountains · Taihang Mountain regionAfter the Jingkang Incident, Wang Yan organized soldiers and civilians to resist the Jin army in the Taihang Mountain region; his followers voluntarily tattooed the eight characters 'loyal heart to serve the nation, vow to kill the Jin thieves' on their faces to show their resolve. Known historically as the Eight-Character Army, it numbered over a hundred thousand at its peak and was an important force resisting the Jin behind enemy lines.
  2. 1130–1134Jingnan · Jingnan PrefectureIn the late Jianyan era, the Southern Song court pacified the Eight-Character Army; Wang Yan led his troops to submit, and his forces were incorporated into the regular army establishment. The court appointed him Pacification Commissioner for Jingnan and E-Yue and other posts. Wang Yan was renowned for strict military discipline and the loyalty and courage of his troops, and continued to take part in anti-Jin defense in the Jianghan region.
  3. 1134–1139Ezhou · EzhouIn the mid-Shaoxing period, Wang Yan continued to hold posts in the Jianghan region, taking part in local defense and training. He died in the ninth year of Shaoxing (1139), ending his legendary life of transformation from a popular militia leader into a court general, and is regarded as a symbolic figure of militia resistance to the Jin in the early Southern Song.

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