He is also a highly celebrated and praised figure in Chinese popular culture because of his bravery and loyalty.

When the Sui dynasty began to dissolve during Emperor Yang's reign, Wang Bodang led a small-scaled peasant uprising in Jiyang (near the county of Lankao today).

[2] Li Mi was defeated by Wang Shichong during the war and many other generals of Wagang Army, including Pei Xingyan, Luo Shixin, Cheng Yaojin, Shan Xiongxin and Qin Shubao, surrendered to Wang Shichong.

[5] On 20 January 619, when they were heading towards Xiangcheng to meet their previous ally Zhang Shanxiang, Li Mi and Wang Bodang were ambushed by Tang's army led by Sheng Yanshi (the general of Tang guarding Xiongzhou) at Xiong'er Mountain near Luoyang.

[6] In folk tales about Wagang Army, Wang Bodang's stories are generally very close to the real history.