Wang Mi


Wang Mi, was a bandit leader and military general of Han Zhao during the Western Jin dynasty. He participated in a rebellion led by Liu Bogen during the War of the Eight Princes but after it was quelled, he fled to Mount Zhangguang where he became a notorious brigand and was given the nickname "Flying Leopard". After two years of banditry, he joined the Xiongnu Liu Yuan and his state of Han Zhao against Jin in 308. He became one of the state's most important commanders in its early years, even playing a crucial role in capturing Luoyang during the Disaster of Yongjia. However, Wang Mi's career in the state was cut short as he was later assassinated by his peer and rival Shi Le in 311.

Early life

Wang Mi's family came from a line of officials in Donglai Commandery in the Jiaodong Peninsula. His grandfather, Wang Qi was the Administrator of Xuantu during the Cao Wei period who greatly contributed in the Goguryeo-Wei War and participated in the conquest of Wei's rival state, Shu Han. In his youth, he was noted to be brave and well-versed, surrounding himself with books and records. He also once worked as a knight-errant, offering his service around Luoyang. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Jin, Wang Mi was appointed as Grand Administrator of Runan. A hermit by the name of Dong Zhong encountered Wang Mi on the road and said to him, “My Lord speaks life a wolf and looks like a leopard. Excellent in confusion, happy with misfortune, assumes all under heaven is disturbed and agitated. Not the acts of a scholar and nobleman!”

Liu Bogen's rebellion

During the War of the Eight Princes in 306, the Prefect of Jian County, Liu Bogen staged a revolt in Donglai. Hearing this, Wang Mi brought his followers along with him to join the rebellion and he was appointed as Bogen's Chief Clerk. The rebels invaded the capital of Qingzhou in Linzi and the commander of Qingzhou, Sima Lue sent Liu Tun to quell the rebellion. However, the rebels managed to defeat Tun and Sima Lue was forced out of Qingzhou.
Despite the rebellion's initial success, it soon fell apart the same year with the intervention of the Youzhou warlord Wang Jun. In the wake of Sima Lue's defeat, Wang Jun attacked Liu Bogen to aid Lue in recovering his territories. Bogen was killed in battle and Wang Mi decided to lead the remaining forces to the small islets in the east. However, on his way, he was intercepted and defeated by Gou Chun. Wang Mi survived the attack and fled to Mount Zhangguang instead to become a bandit.

As a bandit leader

During his time as an outlaw, Wang Mi led many raids in Qingzhou against its people. His notoriety earned him the name "Flying Leopard " by the locals. The following year in 307, Wang Mi invaded Qingzhou and Xuzhou. He declared himself Grand General Who Conquers the East and executed any official he could find. The emperor’s regent, Sima Yue sent Ju Xian to repel Wang Mi but Wang defeated and killed him. The Inspector of Yanzhou, Gou Xi was the sent instead and Wang Mi’s forces were routed.
After his recent defeat, Wang Mi decided to submit to Liu Yuan of Han Zhao. Liu Yuan accepted his submission and appointed him the Duke of Donglai, Inspector of Qingzhou and Great General who Garrisons the East. With a state now backing him up, he gathered his scattered forces and raised his troop's morale. In 308, he sent out several of his generals to pillage the Qingzhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou and Yuzhou where they killed many of the regions' administrators and prefects. Gou Xi fought Wang Mi's forces multiple time but this time he could not overcome them. Soon, Wang Mi reached the city of Xuchang, where he emptied the city's arsenal of weapons and equipment to rearm his troops. With his momentum looking unstoppable, Wang Mi set his eyes on Luoyang.
As Wang Mi's army marched towards the capital, Sima Yue sent his Marshal, Wang Bin to defend the capital. The governor of Liangzhou, Zhang Gui, also sent his general Beigong Chun to reinforce the city. When Wang Mi finally arrived at Luoyang, the Minister Over the Masses, Wang Yan was appointed to command the army against him. The defences of Luoyang succeeded in overwhelming and driving away Wang Mi. Wang Mi burned the city gate before retreating, but Wang Yan sent Wang Bing to pursue him and he was defeated once more at Seven Li Gully.

Service under Han Zhao

After failing to capture Luoyang, Wang Mi went to formally join Han Zhao. Liu Yuan and Wang Mi had once befriended each other in their youths during their time in Luoyang. Thus, when Liu Yuan heard that Wang Mi was coming to join him, he welcomed Wang with opened arms. Upon meeeting Liu Yuan, Wang urged him to declare himself as emperor, which Liu would eventually do later that year. Liu Yuan offered Wang Mi a number of posts as part of his welcome but Wang Mi declined them all.
Under Han, Wang Mi was first tasked in accompanying Liu Yao in invading Henei before joining with Shi Le to attack Linzhang in 308. After that, he and Shi Le laid siege on Ye, causing the local commander He Yu to abandon the city. Emperor Huai sent Pei Xian to camp at Baima to defend against Wang Mi. The next year, Wang Mi was appointed a number of important posts; Palace Attendant, Commander of military affairs in Qingzhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, Yuzhou, Jizhou, and Yangzhou and Governor of Qingzhou. After that, was sent to campaign against the Inspector of Bingzhou, Liu Kun to capture Huguan county from his territory together with Liu Cong and Shi Le. To support Liu Kun, Sima Yue sent Wang Kuang and others to attack Wang Mi but Wang greatly routed them. Meanwhile, Liu Cong and Shi Le defeated Liu Kun's forces and captured Huguan.
Later that year, Wang Mi participated in Liu Yuan's campaign in Luoyang under Liu Cong. Although Luoyang was poorly defended, the campaign went badly for the Han forces as several of their generals were killed during the assault. Wang Mi advised Liu Cong to retreat as their supplies were beginning to run low, but Liu did not dare to do so without his father's permission. It was not until Liu Yuan recalled his forces that they could retreat, ending the siege in failure.
Later that year, Wang Mi marched his troops south through Huanyuan Pass to invade Xiangcheng commandery but was defeated by Bao Sheng at Xinji. However, at the same time, many refugees in Yingchuan, Xiangcheng, Runan, Nanyang, and Henan commanderies were rebelling to join Wang Mi. These refugees, who initially fled to escape the fighting, were discriminated by the local populace. To show their loyalty to Wang Mi, they set fire to the towns and cities and killed the chief clerks and local officials. Shortly after, Wang Mi petitioned to Liu Yuan so that his Chief Clerk of the Left, Cao Ni, be appointed General Who Maintains The East in Qingzhou, where he would provide security to Wang's family members.The next year, Wang Mi followed Shi Le in invading Xuzhou, Yuzhou and Yanzhou, routing many of the local generals.
Later that year, Liu Yuan died and although his son Liu He succeeded him, He was quickly assassinated by his brother, Liu Cong, making Cong the new emperor after one month into He's reign. Liu Cong was set on capturing Luoyang, so he sent Liu Can, Liu Yao, Wang Mi and Shi Le to march towards the capital. Wang Mi joined Liu Yao to attack Xiangcheng before marching towards Luoyang. Luoyang barely survived the year before, but conditions in the city had were worsened through famines, bandits, and mistrust among the inhabitants of the city. After the death of Sima Yue, Emperor Huai of Jin's new paramount general, Gou Xi waited for his arrival at Cangyuan, leaving Luoyang vulnerable to the Han forces. In 311, Liu Cong sent Huyan Yan to besiege the capital and ordered Wang Mi, Liu Yao and Shi Le to join him. Wang Mi arrived at the Luoyang and met up with Huyan Yan. They entered the palace, sacking it and capturing many of the palace servants. Emperor Huai of Jin, who was still in the capital, was caught and sent to Han's capital in Pingyang.
Although Han had won a very important victory over Jin, Wang Mi would get into a dispute with Liu Yao. Liu Yao resented Wang for entering the capital before him and sacking the capital despite forbidding him. As punishment for going against orders, Liu Yao beheaded his General of the Serrated Gate, Wang Yan. The two men traded blows with each other because of this, leaving thousands of their men dead before Wang Mi's Chief Clerk Zhang Song advised him to reconcile with Liu Yao, to which Wang Mi agreed and Liu Yao accepted his apology. However, they quarreled again after Wang Mi advised Yao to persuade Liu Cong to move Han's capital from Pingyang to Luoyang. Yao refused to listen, and instead burned the city down. Angered, Wang Mi scolded him, "You Chuge brat, is this how a king or an emperor act?" Not wanting to escalate it further, Wang Mi returned to Qingzhou.

Death

Wang Mi had long been friends with his colleague, Shi Le but deep down they were both very suspicious to one another. Shi Le had secretly caught and killed Wang Mi's subordinate Liu Tun who was on his way to inform Cao Ni to rally his troops against Shi. Furthermore, Wang Mi's generals Xu Miao and Gao Liang had abandoned him with their troops to Cao Ni. When Wang Mi heard that Shi Le had caught his adversary Gou Xi, he wrote a letter to Shi Le seemingly praising him but secretly scorned him. Wang Mi also sent Shi Le women and treasures he captured and looted at Luoyang as gifts to win him over. Shi Le was not amused but his advisor Zhang Bin told him that he should wait until Wang Mi's forces had truly dwindled.
Soon enough, Wang Mi was caught in a stalemate with an enemy general named Liu Rui. Shi Le was fighting Chen Wu at the time but Zhang Bin told him to leave Chen to aid Wang Mi to win his trust. Shi Le agreed and helped Wang Mi overcome Liu Rui. Wang Mi was grateful of his assistance and no longer suspected him. After their victory, Shi Le invited Wang Mi over to a feast at Jiwu County. Wang Mi complied despite Zhang Song advising him not to. When Wang Mi became drunk at the feast, Shi Le personally beheaded him and absorbed his army.
After the death of Wang Mi, Shi Le sent Liu Cong a petition to justify his actions, calling Wang Mi a rebel. Although Liu Cong was very infuriated at Shi Le’s actions, he still wanted to ensure his loyalty to Han, so he gave no punishment and instead rewarded him with positions. Wang Mi's subordinate, Cao Ni continued to maintain control over Qingzhou, where he would remain until his defeat to Shi Le's nephew, Shi Hu in 323.