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Wen Ping (years of birth and death unknown)^[1], style name Zhongye (仲業), was a military general during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. During his tenure as a general under the warlord Cao Cao, he was credited with defeating Guan Yu and defending Cao's interest in Jiangxia from the eastern warlord, Sun Quan.

Biography[link]

Early life[link]

Wen was a native of Nanyang, he originally served under the warlord and Han bureaucrat, Liu Biao, and was tasked with defending the Northern frontier. When Liu Biao's successor, Liu Cong, submitted to Cao's authority, Wen was hesitant to surrender, and was asked by Cao why he was so late to yield. Wen promptly replied Cao that he was indeed considering resistance because he was tasked by Liao Biao to do so, and it was not his plan to yield.^[2] Cao was impressed by Wen's respond and gave him back the power to command a portion of his own Jing Province troops.

Service under Cao Cao[link]

He participated at the Battle of Changban against Liu Bei, and routed the latter, but Liu was able to flee and formed an alliance with the eastern warlord, Sun Quan. During the subsequent Battle of Red Cliffs against the combined forces of Liu and Sun, the forces of Cao Cao suffered a total disaster, as a result, Wen was granted the command of a portion of the northern troops, made the Governor of Jiangxia, and was asked to stay in the border to wrestle over the area for Cao.

Wen was made the lowest rank of Marquis and supported Cao Ren during the Battle of Jiangling when Sun's commander, Zhou Yu, led Sun forces into the heart of Jing Province. While Liu's trusted general, Guan Yu, attempted to cut Cao Ren's connection, Wen and his colleague, Yue Jin, defeated Guan at Xiukou, and Wen was granted the title of "Marquis of Yanshou," and promoted to the rank of General Who Strikes Rebels. Motivated by his victory, Wen further overtook Guan's supply depot at Han Ford; then caught Guan on Han River, and burned down most of his warships. At the time, Wen and Yue successfully secured the supply and communication lines of Jiangling; however, the casualties on Cao Cao forces were beyond affordable level after nearly a year of intense fighting, so Cao admitted defeat and ordered his generals to forfeit Jiangling. Thus, Wen entered into a defensive position in the eastern flank to resist Sun's general, Cheng Pu, who assumed the position of Governor of Jiangxia under Sun.

Service under Cao Pi[link]

After the death of Cao Cao, Wen Pin went on to serve Cao Pi, who ascended the throne and formally established the Kingdom of Wei. Following the outbreak of the Liu-Sun conflict after Sun captured and executed Guan Yu and seized southern Jing Province, Cao Pi formulated a three-pronged attack on Sun, whose forces were overstretched and diluted. Wen was granted the title of Marquis of Chang'an and ordered to assist Zhang He and Cao Zhen on their attack on Jiangling. Like last battle of Jiangling, Cao forces enjoyed numerical advantage, but this time, they were on the offensive; however, the progress again did not go well because the defenders were determined to fight back, and the siege became a long one. Several months later, enemy reinforcements attempted to get into Jiangling, a branch of Sun's navy entered Mian River, but Wen was able to hold Miankou (a choke-point of Mian River) with his warships. Although the attack on Jiangling was canceled when additional enemy relief forces arrived the battlefield, Wen's performance was recognized as he was promoted to Rear General. However, the campaign was not aborted just because they could not seize one city; Wen was ordered to lead his troops to join Cao Pi, who was personally heading toward the city of Stones, which was guarded by Sun's general, Xu Sheng. Obscured by heavy fog, Wen and Cao fell victim to Xu's plot when the latter erected straw figures and flags along the city walls. Believing Xu had already set up defense and gathered a grand force with geographic advantage, Wei forces retreated, and was pursued by Sun Shao, who was able to capture the bulk of Cao Wei army's baggage.

Late life[link]

Wen's last battle occurred at Shiyang, where he was surrounded by Sun's 50,000 strong army. He firmly defended his smaller army for 20 days, and pursued his opponent when the latter retreated. He routed Pan Zhang in the process, but was repelled by Zhu Ran, who came to Pan's rescue. He was succeed by his adopted son, Wen Xiu, because his biological son died before him.

See also[link]

• List of people of the Three Kingdoms

References[link]

• Chen Shou. Records of Three Kingdoms, Chapter 18, Biography of Wen Ping.