Wang Shenzhi
Wang Shenzhi was born in 862, during the reign of Emperor Yizong. His fifth-generation ancestor Wang Ye () served as the magistrate of Gushi County (固始, in modern Xinyang, Henan) in Guāng Prefecture (), and because the people loved him, he settled his family in Gushi. Wang Shenzhi hailed from a long line of illustrious administrators and military officers feted by historians. After the family settled in Gushi, they subsequently became known for their family business. His father's name was Wang Nin (), and his mother was a Lady Dong. He had two older brothers, Wang Chao and Wang Shengui ().