背景

绍懿生年不详，兄长王绍鼎，在绍鼎之前，他家控制成德已经两代了：长庆元年（821年），他的祖父成德兵马使王廷凑杀害节度使田弘正，控制了成德，又打败了田弘正之子田布，迫使朝廷妥协，王元逵继承父位后，和朝廷和解。王绍懿及其兄王绍鼎都是王元逵妻寿安公主之子。

大中八年（854年）十二月，王元逵去世，王绍鼎继任。王绍懿时为御史中丞、深州刺史。十一年（857年）三月，王绍懿以朝请大夫、深州刺史、御史大夫兼成德军节度判官被起复为检校左散骑常侍、镇府左司马、知府事，充成德军节度副使，兼充都知兵马使。

王绍鼎行为不端，喜好饮酒，尤其喜欢在塔楼上用弹弓打行人取乐。士兵想推翻他，但未及兵变，王绍鼎就在当年七月病亡了。王绍鼎子年幼，士兵拥立王绍懿继任，王绍懿自称留后。宣宗也同意了，当月王绍懿以成德军节度副使、都知兵马使、检校右散骑常侍、左司马、知府事、兼御史中丞受任以本官充成德军节度、观察留后，赐紫金鱼袋，十月被任为检校工部尚书，兼镇州大都督府长史、御史大夫，充成德军节度、镇冀深赵观察等使。

任节度使

王绍懿对成德的治理简单而宽大，军民对他都很满意。累加检校右仆射、兼御史大夫、太原县开国伯，食邑七百户，又加检校司空。

咸通七年（866年）三月，身为成德军节度、镇冀深赵等州观察处置等使、金紫光禄大夫、检校司空、镇州大都督府长史、御史大夫、太原县开国伯、食邑七百户、袭食实封一百户的王绍懿染病。他召来兄长王绍鼎的嫡长子都知兵马使王景崇，对他说：「我兄长认为你年轻，所以把军队的指挥权和成德的管辖权都交给我。你现在成年了，我要把权力交还给你。你要努力工作，忠于朝廷，和隔邻藩镇和睦相处，别毁了兄长的遗产。这就是你的功劳了。」说完就死了。宣宗的儿子和继任者唐懿宗认可了这次权力交接，任王景崇为节度使。赠王绍懿司徒。

注释

Background

It is not known when Wang Shaoyi was born. His family had been, prior to his generation, in control of Chengde Circuit for two generations, after his grandfather Wang Tingcou seized control of the circuit in 821 without imperial approval and eventually forced the imperial government to acquiesce; his father Wang Yuankui later succeeded Wang Tingcou and took a more conciliatory stance with the imperial government. Wang Shaoyi had at least one older brother, Wang Shaoding.

When Wang Yuankui died in 855, the soldiers supported Wang Shaoding to succeed him. Then-reigning Emperor Xuānzong initially made Wang Shaoding acting military governor, and, later in the year, full military governor. However, Wang Shaoding was inappropriate in his behavior, favoring drinking, and particularly liking to sling bullets at people from towers for fun. The soldiers became so displeased with him that they considered overthrowing him, but before they could do so, he fell ill and died in 857. The soldiers supported Wang Shaoyi, who was then deputy military governor, to succeed him. Emperor Xuānzong approved and made Wang Shaoyi acting military governor, and then military governor.

As military governor

Wang Shaoyi's rule was said to be simple and lenient, and both the soldiers and the people were happy about his rule. He was created the Count of Taiyuan, although it is not clear which emperor did so.

In 866, Wang Shaoyi grew ill. He summoned Wang Shaoding's son Wang Jingchong — who was not Wang Shaoding's oldest son but was considered Wang Shaoding's proper heir, having been born of Wang Shaoding's wife — and stated to Wang Jingchong:

Wang Shaoyi died after speaking. Emperor Xuānzong's son and successor Emperor Yizong subsequently approved the succession and made Wang Jingchong military governor.

Notes and references

• Old Book of Tang, vol. 142.

• New Book of Tang, vol. 211.

• Zizhi Tongjian, vols. 249, 250.