 Born in Fengtian (modern Liaoning) province, Wang attended the Baoding Military Academy from 1907–09, joining the New Army shortly afterward and being stationed in Changchun, Jilin province.In October 1911, after the outbreak of the Wuchang Uprising, he was sent to Shanxi Province to suppress supporters of the Xinhai Revolution.In August 1912 he was made commander of the 11th Regiment, which was part of the 3rd Division, 6th Brigade.