Wang the Tiger is a war lord. He is also Wang Yuan's father. Over the course of the novel, we see Wang the Tiger's role as antiquated and unjust. Even his son will not return to live the life and carry on his father's position. He forces marriage on Yuan, and Yuan responds by running away..... and staying away for a long time. In the end, Yuan is reunited with his father, who is dying. He also learns that his father's circumstances are a direct result of his having borrowed money for Yuan's education, as well as borrowing money to secure Yuan's release from prison. Yuan is with his father when he dies.
A House Divided