Abstract: Wang Anshi is the most prominent reformer in Chinese history. The comprehensive reform he presided over exerted an important influence on the history of the Song Dynasty. As is known to all, he is a virtuous man who is not keen on official position, personal wealth, or the beauty of women. But the fact that he is a firm advocate of national sovereignty and core interests is left unnoticed. This is the new discovery in my recent book The Political Gale: A Biography of Wang Anshi.

Key words: Wang Anshi; the provocation by Qidan; safeguarding sovereignty; disagreement between emperor and minister

Bi Baokui is Professor in the Department of Chinese Language and Literature atLiaoning University,China. He is Director of the Biography Society of China and and his research interests include ancient Chinese literature and Chinese life writing. He has published many articles in life writing and six biographies, including An Eminent Empress of the Song Dynasty: Life of Meng Xian (2010) and The Political Gale: A Biography of Wang Anshi (2015). His books are catalogued at the Chinese National Library as well as the Harvard-Yenching Library.