Novel scene
Zhuge Liang Berates Wang Lang to Death 罵死王朗
About this event
Zhuge Liang Berates Wang Lang to Death is the latter scene of the Chapter 93 title of the Romance, "Jiang Boyue surrenders to Kongming; the Marquis of Wuxiang berates Wang Lang to death," and takes place during the first campaign of Zhuge Liang's Northern Expeditions. Wang Lang, Minister over the Masses of Wei, came out before Mount Qi with Cao Zhen intending to talk Zhuge Liang into surrender, but was instead denounced by Zhuge Liang as an old thief who had aided traitors, and, unable to contain his rage, fell from his horse and died. Romance, Ch. 93 §30–46
The Biography of Wang Lang in Chen Shou's main text records only that Wang Lang died in the 2nd year of Taihe while serving as Minister over the Masses; it has nothing about his going on campaign or facing Zhuge Liang. Records, Wei 13 §64 · 69
In the Romance
In Chapter 93 of the Romance, when Zhuge Liang, having won over Jiang Wei, advanced from Mount Qi and reached the west of the Wei River, in the 1st year of Taihe the Minister over the Masses Wang Lang, at the court of Cao Rui, ruler of Wei, recommended Cao Zhen as Grand Commander and offered to go with him himself. Wang Lang was then seventy-six years old. In the 11th month Cao Zhen set out at the head of 200,000 troops with Guo Huai as Deputy Commander and Cao Zun and Zhu Zan as the vanguard, and Wang Lang boasted that with a single speech he would make Zhuge Liang fold his hands and surrender. Romance, Ch. 93 §30–34
The next day before Mount Qi, Wang Lang recounted the decline of the Han and how Cao Cao and Cao Pi had received the Mandate of Heaven, and urged surrender, saying that those who follow Heaven prosper and those who defy it perish. Zhuge Liang, seated in his four-wheeled carriage, laughed aloud and rebuked him: a man whose family had lived for generations in Donghai and who had entered office as a Filial and Incorrupt candidate had aided traitors in plotting usurpation. He pressed him further, asking with what face a white-haired commoner and white-bearded old thief would meet the twenty-four emperors of the Han. Wang Lang, his breast filled with rage, gave one great cry, fell from his horse and died. Romance, Ch. 93 §35–44
Zhuge Liang withdrew, proposing a decisive battle the next day, and Cao Zhen sent Wang Lang's body back to Chang'an. That night Guo Huai, expecting Zhuge Liang to raid the camp while they were in mourning, set out a force to raid the Shu camp and an ambush to strike back, but Zhuge Liang read this in advance and heavily defeated Cao Zun and Zhu Zan. Romance, Ch. 93 §46–55
Where the Romance differs
Wang Lang's death: In Chapter 93 of the Romance, Wang Lang went on campaign with Cao Zhen in the 11th month of the 1st year of Taihe and died after being rebuked by Zhuge Liang before Mount Qi. In the Biography of Wang Lang in the Records, Wang Lang submitted memorials while serving as Minister over the Masses under Emperor Ming, died in the 2nd year of Taihe and received the posthumous name Marquis Cheng. There is no record of his going on campaign. Romance, Ch. 93 §33–44Records, Wei 13 §64–69
Cao Zhen's campaign: The Romance says that Cao Zhen set out in the 11th month of the 1st year of Taihe on Wang Lang's recommendation. The Annals of Emperor Ming in the Records state that in the spring of the 2nd year of Taihe, when Zhuge Liang invaded and the three commanderies of Tianshui, Nan'an and Anding went over to him, the General-in-Chief Cao Zhen was put in command of the region west of the passes (Guanyou), and that Zhang He defeated Ma Su at Jieting. The Biography of Cao Zhen also says that Cao Zhen was stationed at Mei County and oversaw the armies. Romance, Ch. 93 §31–33Records, Wei 3 §8Records, Wei 9 §65
Written by 3KDEX (not yet reviewed) — The tags at the end of each paragraph link to the exact passage in the Records volume or Romance chapter it is based on.