Wang Ling's family had fled to the countryside after his uncle, Wang Yun, was executed in 192 CE for fomenting Lü Bu's assassination of Dong Zhuo.
Later he was declared xiaolian, a crucial nomination to be considered for civil service appointments, and became the Grand Administrator of Zhongshan.
His excellent public service record had been noticed by Cao Cao, the penultimate chancellor of the Han Dynasty, who had moved him into his office.
In Cao Cao's army, Wang Ling had engaged in several battles with Eastern Wu.
As the Inspector of Yanzhou, he had attacked Sun Quan under Zhang Liao.
His victory led to his promotion to General Jianwu.
In another battle against Eastern Wu, Wang Ling had rescued the besieged general Cao Xiu, and had been promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry after a major victory against Quan Cong.
In the second year of Cao Fang's reign as emperor of Cao Wei, Wang Ling had been appointed Minister of Works, while his nephew Linghu Yu had become the Inspector of Yanzhou.
Wang Ling had lost faith in Cao Fang's ability to rule after Sima Yi's coup d'etat in the incident at Gaoping Tombs succeeded in turning the emperor against Sima Yi's rival, the late Cao Shuang.
As a result, Wang Ling conspires to replace emperor Cao Fang with his uncle, Cao Biao, the Prince of Chu, a son of Cao Cao.
Wang Ling in 251 convinces Cao Biao to attempt a coup d'etat against Sima Yi, but the conspiracy suffers a setback when Linghu Yu dies of an illness.
The plot is soon discovered and Sima Yi goes on the offensive, leading an army against Wang before he can prepare his defenses.
Knowing that they are unprepared to do battle with Sima Yi, the two surrender to him with the promise of a pardon, but Wang Ling, together with Cao Bei, is forced to commit suicide, and his family members and associates are condemned to family annihilation.
In order to prevent any more rebellions, Sima Yi puts the entire Cao family under house arrest in Ye.
From this point on, he prevents any of them from having any contact with one another.
With the entire royal family of Wei out of his way, Sima Yi has effectively made the kingdom's nominal rulers irrelevant.
He dies later in the year, leaving his legacy to his sons Sima Shi and Sima Zhao.
His success and subsequent rise in prominence paves the way for his grandson Sima Yan's foundation of the Jin Dynasty, which will eventually bring an end to the Three Kingdoms era.
