Born as Wei Hongfu (魏弘夫), he was a military commander and adoptive son of the founding emperor of the Former Shu kingdom, Wang Jian.
In 925, after Former Shu suffered a number of key defeats at the hands of an invading Later Tang army, Wang Zongbi forced Wang Yan to surrender, hoping that would allow him to retain power in the Xichuan region (西川, i.e., the region around the Former Shu capital Chengdu).
However, the deputy commander of the Later Tang army, Guo Chongtao, viewed Wang Zongbi as untrustworthy and put him to death.
This was before 887, when Wang Jian ruled Lang Prefecture (閬州, in modern Nanchong, Sichuan) as its self-proclaimed prefect.
In 887, Wang Jian decided to answer the summons of his own adoptive father, the eunuch general Tian Lingzi, to serve under Tian's brother Chen Jingxuan, who was the military governor of Xichuan Circuit (西川, headquartered in modern Chengdu, Sichuan).
As a result, Wang Jian left most of his family with his ally Gu Yanlang, the military governor of Dongchuan Circuit (東川, headquartered in modern Mianyang, Sichuan).
[5] In late 891, Dongchuan was attacked by Yang Shouliang, the military governor of Shannan West Circuit (山南西道, headquartered in modern Hanzhong, Shaanxi), and Gu Yanhui sought aid from Wang Jian.
[7] Gu gathered his family members, including adoptive sons, and prepared for group suicide.
[8] In 907, the Tang throne was seized by Zhu Quanzhong, the military governor of Xuanwu Circuit (宣武, headquartered in modern Kaifeng, Henan), who started a new Later Liang as its Emperor Taizu.
In response, Wang Jian – who carried the title of Prince of Shu at the time – issued declarations to start a campaign against Later Liang and restore Tang.
[9] Wang Zongbi continued to serve in the military of the new Former Shu state, although his initial responsibilities were not recorded in history.
He thus summoned Wang Zongbi back from the northern border with Qi and put him in command of the palace guards.
As of summer 925, Later Tang's Emperor Zhuangzong was ready to launch a major attack to conquer Former Shu.
The Former Shu administration was unaware of the impending attack, and Wang Yan, against the advice by Wang Zongbi and Empress Dowager Xu, insisted on visiting Tianxiong Circuit (天雄, headquartered in modern Tianshui, Gansu); he departed in winter 925, just as the Later Tang forces were entering Former Shu territory.
However, Former Shu generals were surrendering in droves – including Song's brother Song Guangbao (宋光葆), the acting military governor of Wude Circuit (武德, i.e., Dongchuan); Wang Chengzhao (王承肇), Wang Zongkan's son and the military governor of Wuding Circuit (武定, headquartered in modern Hanzhong, Shaanxi); and Wang Zongwei (王宗威) the military governor of Shannan Circuit (山南, headquartered in modern Hanzhong).
He then claimed the title of acting military governor of Xichuan and sent emissaries with gifts and food to comfort the Later Tang army.
[2] Meanwhile, Wang Zongbi increased his lobbying of Guo Chongtao – including large bribes – to recommend him as the military governor of Xichuan.
It was said that the Former Shu officials, hating Wang Zongbi for selling out the state, rushed to eat his flesh.