Wang Lang (Xin Dynasty)

Wang Lang (Chinese: 王郎; d. 24), originally named Wang Chang (王昌), was one of the famous heroes who rose during the end of the Xin dynasty. Originally a native of the Zhao State, he has managed to set up an independent regime in the area of Hebei.

Wang began as a fortune teller, with expertise in astronomy and calendrics, who determined that Hebei has the qi of a Son of Heaven.

Before Wang Mang established the Xin dynasty in the year 9, there was a man in Chang'an named Liu Ziyu (刘子輿) who claimed to be the son of Emperor Cheng of Han. When Liu Ziyu was murdered by Wang Mang, Wang Lang took the opportunity to pretend to be the real Liu Ziyu. Together with Liu Lin () (劉林), son of king Miao of Zhao (赵缪王), he claimed that in order to avoid Empress Zhao Feiyan's persecutions they had fled to Sichuan, and knowing that Hebei had the qi of the Son of Heaven, they reached Hebei after a long journey. Liu Lin further planned, with the support of the strong families of Li Yu (李育) and Zhang Can (張参), to declare Wang Lang emperor.

At that time there was a rumor that the Red Eyebrows army was crossing the Yellow River heading north. In the tenth month of year 23, Emperor Gengshi has ordered General Liu Xiu and acting minister of war to pacify Hebei. Upon visiting the city of Handan, Liu Xiu met with Liu Lin, who suggested opening the dams in order to drown the Hebei Red Eyebrows troops. Liu Xiu declined this option, and moved on north, towards Zhending State () (真定).

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