Wáng Zhí 王直 (1379–1462), zì Xíngjiǎn 行儉, hào Yìān 抑庵, posthumous title Wénduān 文端. Native of Tàihé 泰和 (Jíān, Jiāngxī). Yǒnglè jiǎshēn (1404) jìnshì; selected shùjíshì; appointed Hànlín xiūzhuàn 翰林修撰. Drafted zhìgào in the early-Yǒng-lè cabinet alongside Yáng Róng (楊榮) for 37 years; jointly known with Wáng Yīng 王英 as XīWáng DōngWáng (West-and-East-Wáng). Through Rénzōng and Xuāndé reigns to shàozhānshì; in Zhèngtǒng promoted Lìbù shàngshū 吏部尚書 — held the office for 16 years (1443–1459), the longest tenure in the early Míng. During the Tǔmù 土木 crisis (1449), when Yīngzōng was held captive in the northern wastes and Jǐngdì was reluctant to receive him, Wáng Zhí was the first cabinet voice to demand the despatch of envoys and firmly maintained the orthodox argument — securing the eventual return of Yīngzōng. Retired by petition in early Tiānshùn (1457). Míng shǐ j. 169. Surviving works are KR4e0095 Yìān wénjí (50 juǎn total: 13 zhèngjí + 37 hòují), edited by his sons Wáng Bǎo 王䆅 and Wáng Zhěn 王稹. Author of the head preface to KR4e0091 Yáng Róng Wénmǐn jí. CBDB id 34493 (1379–1462).