Wáng Lián, appellation Wényì, was a Nányáng man. In the time of Liú Zhāng he entered Shǔ, and was appointed Magistrate of Zǐtóng. When Xiān-zhǔ began his rising at Jiāméng and led his army south, Lián closed off his city and would not surrender. Xiān-zhǔ was impressed and did not press hard. After Chéngdū was pacified, he appointed Lián as Magistrate of Shífāng, then transferred to Guǎngdū, and wherever he was stationed he had accomplishments.

王連字文儀，南陽人也。劉璋時入蜀，為梓潼令。先主起事葭萌，進軍來南，連閉城不降，先主義之，不強偪也。及成都既平，以連為什邡令，轉在廣都，所居有績。

He was promoted to Colonel of Salt Administration, managing the salt and iron monopolies, and the income was very high with much benefit for state use, and so he sought out and selected talents to serve in his government office, such as Lǚ Yì, Dù Qí, Liú Gàn, and others, who in the end all became great senior officials and were chosen out by Lián. He was promoted to Administrator of Shǔ-jùn and General Flourishing Industry, with authority over the salt office as before.

遷司鹽校尉，較鹽鐵之利，利入甚多，有裨國用，於是簡取良才以為官屬，若呂乂、杜祺、劉幹等，終皆至大官，自連所拔也。遷蜀郡太守、興業將軍，領鹽府如故。

Jiànxīng Inaugural Year [223] he was appointed Camp Cavalry Colonel, Chief Clerk to the Chancellor, with fief as Marquis of Píngyáng precinct. At the time the various prefectures in the south were disobedient, and Zhūgě Liàng personally went on campaign against them. Lián protested this, believing: “This is barren land, a countryside full of disease. It is not appropriate to focus the entire state on the risk of this adventure and go.” Liàng was anxious that the abilities of his officers was insufficient and thought that he must go, but Lián’s words were earnest, so he stopped and remained for a long time. Soon Lián died. His son Shān succeeded, and reached office as Administrator of Jiāngyáng.

建興元年，拜屯騎校尉，領丞相長史，封平陽亭侯。時南方諸郡不賓，諸葛亮將自征之，連諫以為「此不毛之地，疫癘之鄉，不宜以一國之望，冒險而行」。亮慮諸將才不及己，意欲必往，而連言輒懇至，故停留者久之。會連卒。子山嗣，官至江陽太守。