Wang Ji 王基

Wang Ji 王基 (190-261), courtesy name Boyu 伯與, was a military commander of the Wei dynasty 曹魏 (220-265) during the Three Kingdoms period 三國 (220-280).

He hailed from Qucheng 曲成 in the commandery of Donglai 東萊 (today's Zhaoyuan 招遠, Shandong) and, recommended as a filial and uncorrupt (xiaolian 孝廉) person, appointed gentleman of the interior (langzhong 郎中). During the reign of Emperor Ming 魏明帝 (r. 226－239 CE) he was promoted to attendant gentleman in the Imperial Secretariat (zhongshu shilang 中書侍郎) and then sent out as governor (taishou 太守) first of Anping 安平, then of Anfeng 安豐. Wang secured the region against intrustions by the armies of the empire of Wu 吳 (222-280), and was therefore given the title of General Challenging the Bandits (taokou jiangjun 討寇將軍).

Emperor Cao Fang 曹芳 (r. 239-254) appointed him chief steward for writing (shangshu 尚書), but then transferred him to the office of regional inspector (cishi 刺史) of the province of Jingzhou 荊州, with the title of General Wielding Fierceness (yanglie jiangjun 揚烈將軍). His military successes against Wu were rewarded with the title of a Marquis within the Passes (guanneihou 關內侯). Under the rule of Emperor Cao Mao 曹髦 (r. 254-260 CE), Wang Ji was granted the title of Neighbourhood Marquis of Changle 常樂亭侯.

He took part in the suppression of the rebellion of Guanqiu Jian 毌丘儉 and Wen Qin 文欽 and was given the title of General Suppressing the South (zhennan jiangjun 鎮南將軍). Afterwards Wang Ji was commander-in-chief (dudu 都督) of the troops in Yuzhou 豫州, and then regional inspector of that province. These duties were rewarded with a promotion to Township Marquis of Anle 安樂鄉侯. From Yuzhou, Wang Ji was transferred to Yangzhou 揚州 (approx. Jiangsu) as Commander-in-chief and General Conquering the East (zhengdong jiangjun 征東將軍). Being promoted to Marquis of Dongwu 東武侯, he was again transferred to the province of Jingzhou 荊州 (approx. Hubei) as General Conquering the South (zhengnan jiangjun 征南將軍).

He was posthumously granted the honorific title of Minister of Works (sikong 司空). His posthumous title was Marquis Jing 東武景侯.

During the regency of Cao Shuang 曹爽, Wang Ji wrote the essay Shiyaolun 時要論 "Important issues of the present age". It has not survived.