After Song Zhenzong succeeded to the throne, Wang Dan was appointed as the governor of the government, a position that played a pivotal role in the imperial court at that time. Wang Dan is a broad-minded person, he never holds grudges easily, even if others deliberately joke with him, he will use some ingenious methods to resolve misunderstandings, showing a kind of generosity and wisdom. At that time, Kou Zhun was serving as a privy councillor, and he was very jealous of some talented people, including Wang Dan. Kou Zhun often spoke ill of Wang Dan in front of the emperor, which undoubtedly brought great trouble to Wang Dan's situation. However, in the face of Kou Zhun's attack, Wang Dan did not take retaliatory action, but instead dealt with the problem with a tolerant attitude. 
Once, there was an error in the format of an article sent by the Zhongshu Province to the Privy Council, and Kou Zhun seized the opportunity to report it to Song Zhenzong. Zhenzong was angry and criticized Wang Dan. Wang Dan humbly accepted the criticism, and personally apologized to Kou Zhun in the Privy Council, and promised that he would supervise the officials of Zhongshu Province well in the future, so as to prevent similar mistakes from happening again. Soon after, the same error appeared in the official letter of the Privy Council to the province of Zhongshu. When the officials found out, they planned to report it to the emperor, but Wang Dan ordered the official document to be returned to the Privy Council, and did not publicize the matter. Kou Zhun was very ashamed when he learned about it, and went to thank Wang Dan. Wang Dan just smiled and didn't say anything, and his generosity and wisdom were once again reflected. 
In front of Song Zhenzong, Wang Dan always praised Kou Zhun for his cleverness, wit and courage. Zhenzong was impressed by Wang Dan's belly, and he said: "Kou Zhun often talks about your shortcomings in front of me, but you have always praised his strengths, this is the prime minister's belly can support the boat." Wang Dan replied: "Now many ministers are becoming more inflamed, and only Kou Zhun can be solemn and upright, which is why I respect him and recommend him." Later, Kou Zhun was framed and lost his official position, and Wang Dan strongly recommended him in front of Zhenzong. In the end, Song Zhenzong asked Kou Zhun to be the envoy of the Wusheng Army and the Tongping Chapter. When Kou was about to thank the emperor, the emperor told him that it was all Wang Dan's work. Kou Zhun finally realized that his mind was far less broad-minded than Wang Dan's. 
At the last moment of Wang Dan's life, he still cared about the court and the country. Song Zhenzong came to visit him and asked who would inherit the phase. Wang Dan said: "After Kou Zhun took office, he made remarkable achievements in politics and was a rare talent as a prime minister. At the last moment of his life, Wang Dan also actively recommended Kou Zhun as the prime minister, and exhorted the emperor not to listen to the slanderous rumors of the villains in the court, and to give priority to state affairs and select talents and talents. He believes that Kou Zhun is a meritorious minister of the Jiangshan Society, and he is talented, so that he will definitely be able to help the emperor as the prime minister. So, Song Zhenzong adopted Wang Dan's suggestion and made Kou Zhun the prime minister. This decision is undoubtedly the best affirmation of Wang Dan's broad-mindedness and noble qualities.