Wang Wentong was a native of Yingyang County in Jingzhao Prefecture, who was clever and capable. During the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty, he was bestowed the title of Yitong for his military achievements, and soon after became the Sima of Guizhou. When Emperor Yang of Sui ascended the throne, he summoned Wang Wentong to serve as a junior official in the Ministry of Rites. However, due to a confrontation with the emperor, Wang Wentong was demoted to the position of county magistrate of Hengshan County.
In Hengshan County, there was a particularly arrogant and overbearing man who often criticized the local officials, and previous magistrates had feared him. Upon hearing about this person's reputation, Wang Wentong called him over and reprimanded him. Subsequently, Wang Wentong had a large wooden stake sharpened and planted in the center of the courtyard, leaving only about a foot above ground, with four small stakes buried at each corner. He then had this person pressed face down on the large stake, limbs tied to the small stakes, and mercilessly beat his back with a stick until it was mangled. The whole county was in shock, and the officials were too frightened to speak.
Later, Emperor Yang of Sui launched a campaign against Liaodong and appointed Wang Wentong to inspect the various counties in Hebei. Wang Wentong considered the vegetarian monks and nuns to be demons, arresting and imprisoning them. In Hejian County, he gathered the local officials, and anyone who showed up
The historical records say: good governance does not rely on complicated strategies; clear governance does not rely on harsh punishments. Therefore, although a mix of leniency and severity is employed, with clear rewards and punishments, the ideal approach is to win the people's loyalty without having to impose harsh punishments. This was esteemed by wise rulers of old. Wang Wentong and his contemporaries lived during the reign of Emperor Yang of Sui, a time when there were no notably wicked individuals. They lacked moral understanding, were cruel at heart, treated people as if they were mere wood or stone, disregarded human life, and even treated people worse than animals. They committed countless wrongdoings and seldom showed remorse, resulting in some facing execution and others dying from grief and anger. All honest people saw this as the natural order of justice! Alas! Later scholars and officials, even if they can't attain the high ranks and riches of Zigao, surely wouldn't want their mothers to worry about their funerals while visiting their graves, would they?
