PoetPoliticianThree KingdomsJian'an Scholar

Wang Can

Wang Can (177-217) was a Chinese politician and poet, a key member of the Seven Scholars of Jian'an, whose poignant poetry reflected the late Eastern Han dynasty's societal chaos.

1. Overview

Wang Can, courtesy name Zhongxuan, was a prominent Chinese politician and poet who lived from 177 to 217, during the tumultuous late Eastern Han dynasty. Hailing from a distinguished family, he became a central figure in the Jian'an literary movement, renowned as one of the "Seven Scholars of Jian'an". His literary contributions, particularly his poignant poetry, are celebrated for their profound reflection of the widespread suffering and social chaos of his era. Beyond his artistic prowess, Wang Can was also a gifted scholar, possessing an extraordinary memory and a deep understanding of various fields, including mathematics and governance. His work served as a crucial bridge in the evolution of Chinese poetry, moving towards a more realistic and emotionally resonant style that captured the plight of the common people amidst war and displacement.

2. Life

Wang Can's life unfolded against the backdrop of the late Eastern Han dynasty, a period marked by political instability, civil strife, and the rise of powerful warlords. His journey from a noble family to a key figure in Cao Cao's administration, while navigating the chaos of his time, provided the rich experiences that deeply influenced his literary output.

2.1. Early Life and Family Background

Wang Can was born in 177 in Gaoping County (高平縣Chinese), Shanyang Commandery (山陽郡Chinese), which is located in present-day Weishan County, Shandong. He came from an illustrious lineage of high-ranking officials. His great-grandfather, Wang Gong (王龔Chinese), and grandfather, Wang Chang (王暢Chinese), both held positions among the Three Ducal Ministers during the reigns of Emperor Shun of Han and Emperor Ling of Han, respectively. His father, Wang Qian (王謙Chinese), served as a Chief Clerk (長史Chinese) to He Jin, the powerful general and regent for Emperor Shao. Wang Qian famously declined He Jin's offer to form an in-law relationship by marrying one of He Jin's daughters, leading to his dismissal and subsequent death from illness at home.

2.2. Education and Early Recognition

At the age of 13, in 189, Wang Can found himself amidst the political upheaval caused by the warlord Dong Zhuo's usurpation of power and the installation of Emperor Xian of Han as a puppet ruler. A year later, when Dong Zhuo moved the imperial capital from Luoyang to Chang'an, Wang Can also relocated there, residing for the next three years. It was in Chang'an that his exceptional talent was recognized by the renowned scholar and calligrapher Cai Yong. Cai Yong, a highly respected figure in the imperial court, was so impressed by the young Wang Can that he reportedly rushed to welcome him, even putting his shoes on backward in his haste, despite the presence of many high-ranking guests. Cai Yong declared Wang Can to possess extraordinary gifts, surpassing his own, and bequeathed his entire collection of books and essays to him. Wang Can received several offers to serve in the government at this time but declined them all.

2.3. Service under Liu Biao

In 194, as the civil strife intensified in Chang'an, Wang Can, along with his cousin Wang Kai and Cai Mu, left the chaotic capital. He sought refuge and a position under Liu Biao, the provincial governor of Jing Province (covering present-day Hubei and Hunan), who had been a student of Wang Can's grandfather, Wang Chang. Initially, Liu Biao hesitated to fully embrace Wang Can, reportedly due to Wang Can's pallid and sickly appearance and perceived casual demeanor, even considering marrying his daughter to the more handsome Wang Kai instead. Despite this, Wang Can remained in Jing Province, though not fully utilized.

2.4. Service under Cao Cao

Wang Can's political acumen became evident after Liu Biao's death in 208. He played a crucial role in persuading Liu Biao's son and successor, Liu Cong, to surrender to Cao Cao, the dominant warlord who controlled the Han central government. This decision brought Wang Can into Cao Cao's administration, where his talents truly flourished. Cao Cao appointed him as a Chengxiang Yuan (丞相掾Chinese, an assistant in the Prime Minister's office) and granted him the title of Guan Nei Hou (關內侯Chinese). He was later promoted to Junshi Jijiu (軍謀祭酒Chinese, a military advisor). In 213, when Cao Cao was enfeoffed as the Duke of Wei, Wang Can was appointed as a Shizhong (侍中Chinese, Palace Attendant). He was instrumental in establishing new laws and standards for the nascent state of Wei, often presiding over the formulation of rituals and institutions based on ancient precedents. Wang Can also accompanied Cao Cao on military campaigns, including the fourth campaign against the rival warlord Sun Quan in late 216. Despite his high standing, some sources suggest he felt a degree of jealousy towards colleagues like He Qia and Du Xi, who enjoyed a deeper trust from Cao Cao.

2.5. Death and Funeral

In the spring of 217, Wang Can died of illness at the age of 41 (by East Asian reckoning) while on the way back to Ye city (in present-day Handan, Hebei) from the campaign against Sun Quan. His death was a significant loss to Cao Cao's court. Cao Pi, Cao Cao's heir apparent and a fellow poet, attended Wang Can's funeral. During the ceremony, Cao Pi famously suggested that all guests should imitate the braying of a donkey as a farewell, as Wang Can was known to be fond of the sound. This anecdote highlights the unique respect and affection Wang Can commanded from his contemporaries.

3. Literary Achievements

Wang Can's literary contributions were immense, cementing his place as a pivotal figure in Chinese literature. He was a central voice in the Jian'an literary movement, using his art to reflect the profound societal changes and human suffering of his time.

3.1. Jian'an Poetry and the Seven Scholars

The Jian'an era (196-220), named after the era name of Emperor Xian of Han's reign, was a period of intense civil strife and political fragmentation at the end of the Eastern Han dynasty. This tumultuous environment gave rise to a distinctive literary style known as Jian'an style (建安風骨Chinese (Chinese characters)), characterized by a solemn yet deeply moving tone, often lamenting the ephemerality of life and the hardships of war. Wang Can, along with six other poets-Xu Gan, Chen Lin, Ruan Yu, Ying Yang, Liu Zhen, and Kong Rong (though some lists replace Kong Rong with Cao Pi or Cao Zhi)-formed the "Seven Scholars of Jian'an" (建安七子Chinese). This group profoundly influenced the development of Chinese poetry, transitioning from earlier folk songs towards a more scholarly and expressive form.

3.2. Major Works and Themes

Wang Can's representative works include the Poem of Seven Sorrows (七哀詩Chinese, Qī Āi Shī), Ascending the Tower (登樓賦Chinese, Dēng Lóu Fù), and the historical text Records of Heroes (英雄記Chinese (Chinese characters), Yīngxióng Jì). His poetry, particularly the Poem of Seven Sorrows, is celebrated for its powerful depiction of the suffering endured by the common people during the years of war and chaos. The first poem in this series vividly portrays the desolation of a war-torn landscape: "Stepping out of the gate, I see nothing but white bones covering the plains." This raw and realistic imagery captures the profound tragedy of the era, reflecting not just his personal plight but the universal sorrow of a displaced populace. Themes of war, displacement, and the longing for peace and stability are central to his work. His Ascending the Tower expresses a sense of melancholy and frustration, reflecting the feelings of a talented individual whose abilities were not fully utilized. Wang Can's ability to articulate the collective anguish of his society through his art distinguishes him as a poet deeply connected to the human condition.

3.3. Literary Style and Impact

Wang Can's writing style is characterized by its solemn yet heart-stirring tone, directness, and emotional depth. He was known for his ability to compose polished writings quickly, often without needing revisions, leading some to believe he had pre-meditated his works, though in reality, it was a result of immense effort. His works, especially the Poem of Seven Sorrows, are praised for their realism, depicting the brutal realities of war and the suffering of the populace. This emphasis on direct observation and emotional sincerity marked a significant departure from the more ornate and less personal styles of earlier periods. His style served as a crucial transition in Chinese poetry, paving the way for the development of the concise and lyrical fu (賦Chinese, rhapsody) of the Wei and Jin periods. Scholars like Trần Lê Bảo and Nguyễn Khắc Phi highlight his "realistic value" and his ability to "record vividly the calamities that the contemporary people had to bear." His influence extended to later poets, including Du Fu, who also engaged in social commentary through their works.

4. Talents and Abilities

Wang Can was celebrated not only for his literary genius but also for his exceptional intellectual gifts, which distinguished him among his contemporaries. His multifaceted talents spanned various domains, from an extraordinary memory to profound scholarship and even mathematical aptitude.

4.1. Exceptional Memory

Wang Can possessed an eidetic memory, a remarkable ability that was widely recognized and documented. Several anecdotes illustrate this cognitive prowess. It is recounted that if he merely glanced at a roadside monument while passing by, he could later recite every word of its inscription without error. Another famous story involves a game of weiqi (Go). If the board was accidentally disturbed and the pieces scattered, Wang Can could reconstruct the entire game, replacing every piece in its correct position from memory. When challenged by skeptical players who covered the board and asked him to replicate it on another, he did so flawlessly, proving the accuracy of his recall.

4.2. Scholarship and Eloquence

Wang Can was widely read and possessed extensive learning. His scholarship was so profound that when Cao Cao sought to establish new laws and standards for the nascent state of Wei, he invariably entrusted Wang Can with the responsibility of overseeing the process. He was highly skilled in debate and composition, renowned for his ability to produce eloquent and polished writings with remarkable speed. His memorials and essays were considered so superior that even prominent ministers like Zhong Yao and Wang Lang were said to be unable to match his literary finesse.

4.3. Mathematical Aptitude

Adding another dimension to his impressive intellect, Wang Can was also proficient in mathematics. He was known to have created his own calculation methods, demonstrating his deep understanding and mastery of numerical principles. This aptitude for logical and quantitative reasoning further underscores his versatile intellectual capabilities.

5. Personal Life and Family

Wang Can's personal life, like many during his era, was deeply affected by the political turmoil and civil wars. His family lineage, though distinguished, faced challenges that reflected the instability of the times.

5.1. Family Continuation

Wang Can had two sons. Tragically, both were executed in 219, two years after Wang Can's death, for their alleged involvement in a rebellion led by Wei Feng against Cao Cao's government. Their deaths resulted in the termination of Wang Can's direct family line. To preserve his lineage and ensure the continuation of his family's literary heritage, Wang Ye (王業Chinese), a younger relative and the son of Wang Can's cousin Wang Kai, was eventually designated as Wang Can's adopted son. Wang Ye inherited Wang Can's extensive library, which included approximately 10,000 volumes of books, some of which were originally from Cai Yong's collection. These valuable literary assets were then passed on to Wang Ye's own sons, Wang Bi and Wang Hong (王宏Chinese).

6. Evaluations and Impact

Wang Can's contributions were recognized by his contemporaries and have been critically assessed by later scholars, solidifying his lasting impact on Chinese culture and literature. His legacy is particularly significant for his role in shaping literary traditions and introducing a more realistic and socially conscious dimension to poetry.

6.1. Contemporary and Later Assessments

Wang Can received high praise from his contemporaries, especially from Cao Pi, who would later become Emperor Wen of Wei. In his literary treatise Dianlun (典論Chinese, Discourses on Literature), Cao Pi ranked Wang Can among the "Seven Scholars of Jian'an" and lauded his mastery of ci (辭Chinese, lyrics) and fu (賦Chinese, rhapsodies), stating that even the talented Xu Gan could not match Wang Can's skill in these forms. While acknowledging some weaknesses in Wang Can's style, such as a perceived lack of vigor, Cao Pi ultimately considered him and the other Jian'an scholars as "talents of an era" who, though perhaps not surpassing ancient masters, were undoubtedly brilliant in their own time.

However, not all assessments were without criticism. The Weilüe (魏略Chinese, Brief History of Wei), cited in Chen Shou's Records of the Three Kingdoms, includes a comment from Wei Dan describing Wang Can as "fat and foolishly honest," implying a lack of shrewdness. Chen Shou himself, in his evaluation within the Records of the Three Kingdoms, praised Wang Can's significant contributions to the establishment of Wei's institutions as a close official, but also noted that Wang Can lacked the "pureness" and "great virtue" of figures like Xu Gan.

Later scholars have consistently highlighted Wang Can's enduring significance. Vietnamese scholar Trần Lê Bảo emphasized that Wang Can's poetry, particularly the Poem of Seven Sorrows, effectively reflected "the tragic plight of the people amidst the chaos of war." Nguyễn Khắc Phi further underscored the "realistic value" of Jian'an literature, with Wang Can's works serving as a prime example of capturing the "extremely tragic and chaotic" society of the late Eastern Han. Nguyễn Hiến Lê praised Wang Can's poetry for its "simple yet profound words," drawing parallels to the social realism found in the works of Du Fu.

6.2. Literary Significance

Wang Can's literary significance lies in his pivotal role in the evolution of Chinese literature. He is credited with bringing a new level of realism and emotional depth to poetry, moving beyond earlier, more formalistic styles. His vivid descriptions of the suffering caused by war and displacement introduced a strong element of social commentary into Chinese verse, directly reflecting the hardships faced by the common people. This focus on human experience and the direct expression of sorrow and frustration paved the way for later poetic traditions that explored similar themes. His mastery of the fu form also contributed to its development into a shorter, more lyrical style during the Wei and Jin dynasties. Wang Can's ability to blend personal sentiment with broader societal concerns ensured his lasting legacy as a poet who not only mastered his craft but also used it to bear witness to the profound human impact of historical events.

7. Anecdotes

Numerous anecdotes about Wang Can reveal his remarkable intellect, wit, and unique personality, offering a glimpse into his interactions with contemporaries.

One of the most famous stories involves the esteemed scholar Cai Yong. When Wang Can was still a youth, Cai Yong, then a high-ranking official, heard of his talent and was greatly impressed. On one occasion, when Wang Can came to visit Cai Yong, despite the presence of many distinguished guests, Cai Yong rushed out to greet him with such deference that he put his shoes on backward in his haste. The other guests were astonished, questioning why such a respected figure would show such respect to a mere youth of modest appearance. Cai Yong famously responded, "This is the grandson of Duke Wang. He possesses extraordinary talent, which I cannot match. I shall grant him all the books and essays in my home." This incident, known as 倒屣相迎dào xǐ xiāng yíngChinese (hastening to welcome with shoes on the wrong feet), vividly illustrates the profound respect Wang Can commanded even at a young age.

Another testament to his exceptional memory is the story of him walking with others and reading an inscription on a roadside monument. When asked if he could recite it from memory, Wang Can confidently affirmed he could. He then turned his back to the monument and recited the entire inscription without missing a single character. Similarly, his ability to reconstruct a disturbed Go board, placing every piece back into its original position, further highlights his eidetic memory. When the Go players, disbelieving, covered the board and asked him to replicate it on another, he did so perfectly, proving his extraordinary cognitive abilities.

Wang Can's eloquence and quick wit were also legendary. During a banquet hosted by Cao Cao on the banks of the Han River, Wang Can proposed a toast, using the opportunity to critique Cao Cao's rivals, Yuan Shao and Liu Biao, while praising Cao Cao's leadership. He stated that Yuan Shao, despite his vast support, failed to truly utilize talented individuals, causing them to leave him. Liu Biao, he argued, foolishly believed he could become a benevolent ruler like King Wen of Zhou by merely observing the chaos from Jing Province, failing to employ the capable men who sought refuge with him. In contrast, Wang Can lauded Cao Cao for his ability to attract and utilize heroes and scholars, unifying the realm and inspiring loyalty. This demonstrates Wang Can's sharp analytical mind and his skill in rhetoric.