Wang Ben 王賁

Wang Ben 王賁, courtesy name Dian 典, was a general of the state of Qin 秦 during the late Warring States period 戰國 (5th cent.-221 BCE). He was a son of general Wang Jian 王翦.

In 227, Wang Ben took over the first command during a campaign against the state of Chu 楚 in which he seized more than ten towns. In 225 he attacked the state of Wei 魏, a campaign in which he inundated the capital of Wei, Daliang 大梁, and so forced King Jia of Wei 魏王假 (r. 228-225) to surrender his kingdom.

In 222, Wang Ben campaigned against Yan 燕 and advanced as far as the region of Liaodong 遼東, where he captured King Xi of Yan 燕王喜 (r. 255-222). Afterwards he was also able to capture the last prince of the kingdom of Zhao 趙 who had founded the kingdom of Dai, as King Jia of Dai 代王嘉 (r. 228-222).

The only surviving state of the former Zhou empire 周 (11th cent.-221 BCE) was the kingdom of Qi 齊. Wang Ben was also able to capture King Jian of Qi 齊王建 (r. 265-221) and so substantially contributed to the foundation of the empire of Qin 秦 (221-206 BCE).

He was therefore rewarded with the title of Marquis Tongwu 通武侯 (or Marquis Wuling 武陵侯). His tomb can be found in the village of Qiankou 千口村, township Meiyuan 美原鎮, in the district of Fuping 富平縣, Shaanxi.