Wang Ping had good relations with the local tribes of Baxi and started his career under their leaders Du Huo () and Pu Hu (朴胡). In 215, after his defeat against Cao Cao, Zhang Lu fled to them for help and better surrendering terms with Cao Cao. After Zhang Lu's surrender, Cao Cao had Du Huo and Pu Hu promoted to marquise with the mission of defending Badong (巴東) and Baxi (巴西) commanderies. However Du Huo and Pu Hu failed their mission and were defeated by Huang Quan and had to abandon Ba. After this, Wang Ping accompanied them to visit the Han imperial court, Luoyang where he was appointed as an acting colonel under Xiahou Yuan.