When it comes to the Four Great Beauties of ancient Chinese history, almost everyone can name them without hesitation. However, not everyone knows that Chinese historical records also mention the Four Great Handsome Men, which include: Fan Yan, Wang of Lanling, Wei Wang Jie, and Song Guo. These were all talented officials and generals noted for their handsome appearances. Among them, the most prominent is Wang of Lanling – a general and prince of the Northern Qi dynasty who has appeared in numerous modern television and film adaptations.
Cao Chang Gong, known as Wang of Lanling, was born in 541 and died in 573 at the young age of 32. Many historical texts describe Cao Chang Gong as having a gentle demeanor, a beautiful appearance, and a pleasant voice. It is said that his looks were so delicate and beautiful, resembling a woman’s, that he had to wear a wooden mask in battle to instill fear in his enemies. In film adaptations, the role of Wang of Lanling is often portrayed by handsome actors.
Wang of Lanling in the film of the same name, played by actor Phung Thieu Phong
It is said that Wang of Lanling had to wear a mask to prevent enemies from seeing his beautiful, flower-like face (illustrative image)
Records in the Book of Northern Qi state: “The fourth son of Emperor Gao Cheng, Wang of Lanling, had a soft yet strong appearance from a young age, and his voice was also beautiful.” In the Old Book of Tang, it is noted that he had “high martial arts skills and a face like a flower.”
There are many historical documents that clearly prove Wang of Lanling was indeed a handsome general. However, what made him famous and selected as one of the Four Great Handsome Men was also his illustrious military career. Cao Chang Gong led many military campaigns and, during his time, the Northern Qi people composed a famous dance song that is still preserved today, called Wang of Lanling Enters Battle, which praises Chang Gong after his victorious battles.
Statue of Wang of Lanling erected by later generations.
As a historical figure who lived over 1500 years ago, gathering accurate materials to visualize the true beauty of this talented general is not easy. However, fortunately, his tomb has been discovered. The tomb of Wang of Lanling was recognized as a key national heritage site in China in 1988.
Through the study and reconstruction of the skull remains, experts have been able to partially reconstruct the face of Wang of Lanling. In a historical documentary aired in 2005, an image of the most handsome man of the feudal era reconstructed by a team of archaeologists was revealed:
Reconstructed image of Wang of Lanling’s beauty by a team of experts
This reconstruction has been noted by netizens to resemble the handsome star Yang Yang.
The reconstructed image of Wang of Lanling has garnered much admiration. Even though he lived in an era over a millennium ago, when beauty standards were different, the appearance in the image still resonates well with contemporary tastes. The handsome man possesses sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, and a delicate face, aligning with descriptions found in historical texts. While the accuracy cannot be guaranteed at 100%, this image is sufficient for future generations to acknowledge Wang of Lanling as the “most handsome man” in Chinese history.
