Chen Shi (陳寔) (104 - 16 September 186),

courtesy name A courtesy name (), also known as a style name, is a name bestowed upon one at adulthood in addition to one's given name. This practice is a tradition in the East Asian cultural sphere, including China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.Ulrich Theobald ...

Zhonggong (仲弓), was an official of the

Eastern Han dynasty The Han dynasty (, ; ) was an imperial dynasty of China (202 BC – 9 AD, 25–220 AD), established by Liu Bang (Emperor Gao) and ruled by the House of Liu. The dynasty was preceded by the short-lived Qin dynasty (221–207 BC) and a warr ...

of China.

Life

Chen Shi was the father of Chen Ji and the grandfather of Chen Qun. As he was the mayor () of Taiqiu County (), he was also known as Chen Taiqiu (). He was the primogenitor of surname Chen () of Yingchuan () and the central figure of the

Qingliu school Qingliu () is a county of western Fujian province, People's Republic of China. It is under the administration of Sanming City. Administration The county executive, legislature, and judiciary The judiciary (also known as the judicial system, ju ...

() in the

Yingchuan Yingchuan Commandery ( zh, 潁川郡) was a Chinese commandery from the Warring States period to Tang dynasty, located in modern central Henan province. The name referred to the Ying River, which flowed through its territory. The commandery was es ...

() region. Though he was raised at an impoverished family, he loved books and studies at early years. As he was the person of rightfulness, without prejudice and generous, he was held in high repute among the common people. However, as he objected to the eunuchs' abuse of power, he was prevented from holding government positions by the

Disasters of Partisan Prohibitions The Disasters of the Partisan Prohibitions (黨錮之禍) refers to two incidents in which a number of Confucian scholars who served as officials in the Han imperial government and opposed to powerful eunuchs, and the university students in the ...

. As he was prevented from government services, he lived a hermit life at his hometown. Whenever a civil lawsuit occurred, local residents used to invite him to preside over the case. Whenever consulted, Chen Shi provided them with results that are consistent with reason, and no one complained about his judgement. It was said that "Better to have your punishment increased, than to be found lacking by Master Chen.".. In the 160s, when a teenage

Xu Shao Xu Shao () (150–195), courtesy name Zijiang, was a Chinese philosopher and politician who lived in the Eastern Han dynasty. Early life and career Xu Shao was from Pingyu County (平輿縣), Runan Commandery (汝南郡), which is present-day P ...

went to

Yingchuan Commandery Yingchuan Commandery ( zh, 潁川郡) was a Chinese commandery from the Warring States period to Tang dynasty, located in modern central Henan province. The name referred to the Ying River, which flowed through its territory. The commandery was es ...

(潁川郡; covering present-day southern and central Henan), he visited and mingled with many reputable men in the region, except for Chen Shi. Later, when

Chen Fan Chen Fan (90s- 25 October 168), courtesy name Zhongju (), was a Chinese politician of the Eastern Han dynasty. A native of Pingyu, Runan (north of present-day Pingyu County, Henan), Chen served as Grand Commandant () during the reign of Empe ...

's wife died, many people attended her funeral, but Xu Shao did not show up. When asked, Xu Shao replied, "Taiqiu is too well-acquainted, it's difficult for him to be thorough; Zhongju (Chen Fan's courtesy name) is a serious person who hardly makes compromises. These are the reasons why I didn't visit them." After the Prohibitions were relieved,

He Jin He Jin () (died 22 September 189), courtesy name Suigao, was a Chinese military general and politician. He was the military Grand Marshal and regent of the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. He was an elder half-brother of Empress He, the emp ...

sent a messenger and called Chen Shi to his ministration, but Chen Shi did not accept He Jin's offer and died soon after. When he died in September 186, a crowd exceeding 30,000 assembled at his funeral, and those who wore mourning dress numbered in the hundreds. He was given the

posthumous name A posthumous name is an honorary name given mostly to the notable dead in East Asian culture. It is predominantly practiced in East Asian countries such as China, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, and Thailand. Reflecting on the person's accomplishments ...

Master Wenfan (文范先生).(谥为文范先生。) ''Houhanshu'', vol.62

Descendants

Chen Baxian, the founding emperor of the Chen dynasty, traces his ancestry to Chen Shi. The Buddhist monk

Chen Hui Xuanzang (, ; 602–664), born Chen Hui / Chen Yi (), also known as Hiuen Tsang, was a 7th-century Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, traveler, and translator. He is known for the epoch-making contributions to Chinese Buddhism, the travelogue of ...

Xuanzang Xuanzang (, ; 602–664), born Chen Hui / Chen Yi (), also known as Hiuen Tsang, was a 7th-century Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, traveler, and translator. He is known for the epoch-making contributions to Chinese Buddhism, the travelogue of ...

also descends from Chen Shi.

References

* Fan, Ye (5th century). '' Book of the Later Han'' (''Houhanshu''). {{DEFAULTSORT:Chen, Shi 104 births 187 deaths Han dynasty politicians from Henan Politicians from Xuchang

Life

Descendants

See also

References