Wang Cong'er

Wang Cong'er (c. 1777-1798) was a Chinese leader of anti-Manchu White Lotus Rebellion during the reign of the Qing dynasty.

Early Life

Reportedly born in 1777, Wang Cong’er was a native of Xiangyang City. She was said to be a circus performer before she became leader of the White Lotus sect against the Qing regime.

White Lotus Sect

The White Lotus Sect originated during the Yuan dynasty. Wang Cong’er led the uprising of the White Lotus sect against the corrupt Qing regime. She used the martial art of Kung Fu, acrobatics and a sword in each hand she instilled fear in her enemies. Intent on avenging the death of her husband at the hands of the Qing, Wang led an army of men into battle against the army of the greatest empire in Asia. Despite the obvious disadvantages of Wang’s peasant troops, they overcame and surprised the mighty Qing army again and again, with the use of guerrilla war tactics. The contemporary records of the Qing Court stated that "the deadliest of all the rebels are those led by Madam Wang, wife of Qi" and "it is said that all the rebel factions from Hubei and Shanxi were stirred up by Wang".

The Qing General Ming Liang finally came up with the plan of recruiting local landlords to build forts and lock the civilians inside the forts whenever the rebels were in the area, effectively cutting off the rebels from the civilian sympathizers who were a key part of their supply chain. In 1798, with an increased number of warriors, prepared to ambush Wang Cong’er and her men in the mountains near Yunxi, Hubei. After thousands of her men were massacred, Wang was forced to retreat. With no escape route left to her, she jumped to her death. Wang Cong’er may have been defeated, but she had set a precedent for revolts against Chinese imperial rule.

Sources

Women in Chinese History - [http://www.colorq.org/articles/article.aspx?d=asianwomen&x=wangconger] Warrior Women Index - [http://www.lucylawless.info/documentaries/warrior-women/index.html]