In the turbulent late Sui and early Tang dynasties, a general named Wang Junkuo became an unforgettable figure in history with his extraordinary military talents and complex life trajectory. From gathering a crowd to become a founding general of the Tang Dynasty, to a tragic end due to defection, Wang Junkuo's life was full of dramatic turns.
Wang Junkuo: Choice and Attachment in Troubled Times
Wang Junkuo, an orphan from a poor background, made a living by selling horses in his early years, misbehaved, and often stole from the village. In the last years of the Sui Dynasty, he planned to gather soldiers and horses as thieves, but his uncle disagreed. So he framed his neighbor for fornicating with his uncle, killed his neighbor with his uncle, and died from then on. In the chaotic times at the end of the Sui Dynasty, he relied on his courage and wit to gather a team of more than 1,000 people, plundered everywhere, and gradually emerged. After that, he followed Wang Jun's advice and successfully seized the strategic location of Jingcheng, laying a solid foundation for his future development.
In the first year of Yining (617), Tang Gaozu Li Yuan raised an army against the Sui and recruited talents from all over the world, and Wang Junkuo also faced an important choice in his life at this time. Faced with Wei Bao and Deng Bao's plan to join Li Yuan, Wang Junkuo pretended to agree, but planned a surprise raid behind his back, and after seizing the baggage, he turned to Li Mi's Wagang army.
In the first year of Wude, Wang Junkuo was not reused in the Wagang army, which made him begin to reflect on his choice. In Wagangzhai, he witnessed Li Mi's pride and complacency, and felt the frustration of not being taken seriously. After careful consideration, Wang Junkuo decided to make another major decision in his life - surrender to the Tang Dynasty. Wang Junkuo's attachment was welcomed by Li Yuan, and he was named Shangzhu State, Fake Hanoi Taishou, and Changshan County Duke, and later reappointed Liaozhou Thorn Shi and Shanggu County Duke. This was not only a recognition of his military talents, but also the starting point of his path to glory.
Repeated meritorious service and honor
In the third year of Wude, Li Shimin, the king of Qin, led the Tang army to the east, and the goal was directly aimed at Wang Shichong's Luoyang. In this battle, which was related to the general situation of the world, Wang Junkuo was ordered to attack Luokou, a fortress with an extremely important strategic location. The control of Luokou is directly related to the safety of Luoyang. Wang Junkuo not only successfully conquered Luokou, but also further cut off Luoyang's grain route, laying a solid foundation for the victory of the Tang army. Subsequently, he led his troops to conquer Yuyuan and further expanded the results of the Tang army.
In the face of Wang Shichong's general Wei Yin's counterattack, Wang Junkuo adopted a strategy of deception. He deliberately showed his defeat and lured the enemy army deeper. When the enemy army relaxed its vigilance, Wang Junkuo set up an ambush on the way and successfully defeated Wei Yin's troops. After the war ended, Wang Junkuo did not stop, but continued to advance eastward to Guancheng, consolidating the battle line of the Tang army. After completing this series of military operations, he led his troops to a triumphant victory.
In the unification war of the Tang Dynasty, the Battle of Tiger Prison Pass was a legend. In the fourth year of Wude (621), Dou Jiande, the king of Xia, led his army westward, intending to rescue Wang Shichong, who was besieged by the Tang army. The two armies engaged in a fierce confrontation at Tiger Pass, and this battle was related to the belonging of the Central Plains and the trend of history. In this decisive battle, Wang Junkuo attacked the Xia army's grain and grass supply line with the strength of 1,000 light cavalry like a swift wind and thunder, and successfully cut off the enemy's lifeline. In the battle, Wang Junkuo not only showed his military wisdom, but also captured Zhang Qingte, the general of the Xia army, adding important weight to the victory of the Tang army.
With the successive defeats of Dou Jiande and Wang Shichong, the war situation in the Central Plains was calmed. Wang Junkuo was awarded the title of General of the Right Armed Forces for his outstanding performance under the Tiger Prison Pass, and was promoted to the title of Duke Peng Guogong, which was the highest recognition of his military talent and outstanding military exploits.
In the fifth year of Wude, Dou Jiande's old subordinate Liu Heimin established himself as the king of Handong and set off a new rebellion. In the midst of this turmoil, the city became a strategic location. Wang Junkuo was ordered to lead the cavalry into the city, and shouldered the heavy responsibility of defending the city together with Li Quchao. In the face of Liu Heimin's fierce offensive, Li Shimin's three reinforcements were unsuccessful. At the most critical time of the battle, Li Shimin climbed the high slope in the south of the city, ordered Wang Junkuo to break through with a banner, and at the same time sent Luo Shixin to lead 200 soldiers into the city, preparing to take over the task of defending the city.
Unfortunately, Liu Heimin finally conquered the water, and Luo Shixin died heroically in this battle, and his heroic deeds became an indelible mark in the history of the Tang Dynasty. Although the city was eventually lost, Wang Junkuo's military prowess and determination were not questioned. After Liu Heimin was pacified, Wang Junkuo was given a new mission - to guard Youzhou, a frontier important place whose safety was of paramount importance to the Tang Dynasty.
In the eighth year of Wude, the Turkic tribes marched southward, approaching the northern frontier of the Tang Dynasty. In this sudden crisis, Wang Junkuo, as the defender of Youzhou, shouldered the heavy responsibility of resisting foreign insults. On the battlefield of Youzhou, Wang Junkuo showed his military talent. He not only successfully repelled the Turkic attack, but also captured 2,000 enemy troops and 5,000 horses, achieving a brilliant victory.
Wang Junkuo's heroic deeds spread to Chang'an, and Tang Gaozu Li Yuan was overjoyed. In recognition of his merits, Gaozu specially recruited Wang Junkuo into the court, gave him a royal horse, and rode out on top of the court, which was a very high honor for the generals. In addition, Gaozu also gave him a brocade robe and a gold belt to show recognition and appreciation for his merits. After accepting the reward and honor of Gaozu, Wang Junkuo did not indulge in the prosperity of the capital, but chose to return to Youzhou and continue his task of guarding the town. His behavior shows the loyalty and sense of responsibility of a general.
Youzhou after the change of Xuanwu Gate
In the ninth year of Wude, Li Ming, the king of Lujiang, was appointed as the governor of Youzhou. Tang Gaozu Li Yuan knew that he lacked the talent of a general, so he specially ordered the brave and strong Wang Junkuo to assist him. Wang Junkuo's military talent and courage and good fighting won Li Jin's great trust, and he even planned to marry as an in-law. In June of the same year, the Xuanwumen Rebellion broke out, and the crown prince Li Jiancheng was killed. Tang Gaozu ordered Cui Dunli to recruit Li Ying into the court, and Li Ying felt an unprecedented crisis and asked Wang Junkuo for advice.
Wang Junkuo saw the opportunity, and on the surface he sympathized with Li Jin, but in his heart he planned to arrest him to gain fame. He encouraged Li Ying not to return to the court, hinting that he could raise troops to protect himself. However, this was only a ploy by Wang Junkuo, who was secretly preparing to betray. Li Ying hesitated, while Wang Junkuo had already begun to act. He beheaded Wang Xu, who had come to consult, and announced to the soldiers that Li Ming had rebelled, successfully inciting the emotions of the soldiers and quickly taking control of the situation.
Wang Junkuo entered the prison and released Cui Dunli, revealing Li Ming's betrayal. In the face of Wang Junkuo's accusations and the betrayal of the soldiers, Li Ying was isolated and helpless, and was finally captured and strangled by Wang Junkuo. In July, Wang Junkuo was appointed as the general of the left leading army and the governor of Youzhou for his efforts to kill Li Ming, and was crowned the doctor of Zuo Guanglu, and actually sealed 1,300 households. He not only won the high-ranking officials, but also won the trust and reuse of Tang Taizong.
arrogant and arrogant, heading for the end
However, as his power grew, he became arrogant and disobedient, and his behavior gradually deviated from the norms of the imperial court. Li Xuandao, the long historian, as the executor of the imperial court's laws, has repeatedly restrained Wang Junkuo's behavior. Although these actions were motivated by the good intention of maintaining order in the imperial court, they planted the seeds of doubt and anxiety in Wang Junkuo's heart.
In the first year of Zhenguan (627), Wang Junkuo entered the court with an edict, and before leaving, he was entrusted by Li Xuandao to send a letter to Fang Xuanling. Unable to read in cursive, Wang suspected that the letter contained a denunciation of himself. Driven by fear and misunderstanding, he killed the post guards in Weinan and attempted to flee to the Turks. But as fate would have it, the former hero was eventually killed by the villagers on the way.
Tang Taizong Li Shimin, thinking of Wang Junkuo's past merits, wanted to give him a proper funeral. However, the performance of the imperial historian Wen Yanbo caused Wang Junkuo to be demoted to a concubine and no longer enjoyed any fiefdoms and honors.
The story of Wang Junkuo is a microcosm of the turbulent years in the early years of the Tang Dynasty. His life, from thief to general to traitor, reflects the interweaving of personal destiny and the changes of the times. His story reminds us that no matter how brilliant an achievement, if we don't stick to our original intentions, they can eventually lead to destruction.