Wang Jin

Life

Wang Jin was the son of Wang Chulian and the younger brother of Wang Wei. He studied diligently from an early age and became known for his literary talent alongside Wang Wei; both brothers practiced Buddhism and abstained from meat and animal blood, a practice that became more pronounced in Jin’s later years.

He was also recruited through a summons; in Kaiyuan 7 (719), he passed the Examination in Elegant Literary Composition, and fifteen years later he passed the examination for men of high talent who had remained in the grasslands and presented themselves. During the Tianbao era he served successively as Shiyushi (侍御史) and Wubu Yuanwailang (武部員外郎); in Tianbao 7 (748), he became Dalisi Cheng (大理寺丞), a title also abbreviated as Dali Cheng (大理丞).

During the An Lushan Rebellion, he served as Shaoyin (少尹) of Taiyuan, assisted Li Guangbi in defending Taiyuan, and for this achievement was promoted to Xianbu Shilang (憲部侍郎) and then to Bingbu Shilang (兵部侍郎). After the rebellion was quelled, he became Libationer of the Imperial Academy (國子祭酒), and later served as magistrate of Fengxiang, vice minister of Works, governor of Shuzhou, and Left Sanqi Changshi (左散騎常侍).

In Guangde 2 (764), he was appointed Huangmen Shilang (黃門侍郎) and Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), and given overall command of operations in Henan, Huaixi, and Shannan East; he subsequently advanced to Shizhong (侍中), and in the following year became deputy commander-in-chief for Henan. In Dali 3 (768), he held the military governorship of Lulong at Youzhou and concurrently served as governor of Taiyuan, protector of the Northern Capital, military governor of Hedong, and commissioner for agricultural colonies and observation. In Dali 5 (770), he was appointed Menxia Shilang (門下侍郎) and Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi, and was enfeoffed as Duke of Qi (齊國公).

After Yuan Zai was convicted and executed, Jin was demoted to governor of Kuozhou for his association with Yuan and transferred to Chuzhou. In Dali 14 (779), he was appointed Taizi Binke (太子賓客) and remained in service at the eastern capital, retaining that position until the end of his career. He died in Jianzhong 2 (781), at the age of eighty-two.

Literature and calligraphy

Jin excelled in poetry and prose and was skilled in calligraphy; eight of his poems are preserved in the Quan Tang shi (《全唐詩》). By order of Emperor Daizong, Jin gathered Wang Wei’s posthumous writings, collated more than 400 pieces from relatives and friends, presented them to the emperor, and compiled the ten-volume Wang Wei ji (《王維集》), for which he received commendation. His poetry was praised for its lofty and unrestrained manner and for standing apart from the ordinary; one of his poems was judged fit to stand among yuefu songs.