After returning to China, Wang Shizhen still commanded the Yutai artillery team and stationed at Shanhaiguan.

After the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki, Wang Shizhen moved to Lutai with the new Zhili Admiral Nie Shicheng, In December 1895 (the 21st year of Emperor Guangxu's reign), Yuan Shikai began to train troops in Xiaozhan, Tianjin.

In the spring of 1902 (the 28th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign), the Beiyang Military and Political Department was established in Baoding, and Wang Shizhen was appointed as the chief counselor.

In the winter of 1906 (the 32nd year of Emperor Guangxu's reign), Wang Shizhen was appointed as the right assistant minister of the newly established Army Department.

Wang Shizhen was very loyal to the Qing Dynasty, and he retired immediately after the demise of the Qing Dynasty, In 1914 (the third year of the Republic of China), Wang Shizhen was awarded the title of Army General and joined the Beiyang Government, In May, he served as the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy and the Director of the Model Regiment Preparation Office.

In August 1915 (the fourth year of the Republic of China), he succeeded Duan Qirui as the Chief of the Army.

On April 23, 1916 (the fifth year of the Republic of China), he was appointed Chief of the General Staff, and he remained in office after Yuan Shikai's death on June 6.

In July, Zhang Xun led the imperial guards into Beijing under the pretense of mediating the dispute between the government and the parliament.

After many twists and turns, on November 30, Feng Guozhang appointed Wang Shizhen as Acting Prime Minister[2]  to help promote the North-South peace talks and appease the pro-war faction.

In January 1922 (the 12th year of the Republic of China), he was awarded the title of "Admiral of Virtue and Power" by President Xu Shichang, In February 1925 (the 14th year of the Republic of China), he served as a member of the Post-war Conference and chairman of the Military Arrangement Committee.

His life story is recorded in the "Biography of the Virtuous General Zhengding Prince" written by Jinshi Shang Binghe.