Chinese Han dynasty official (died 168)
Chen Fan (90s[1] - 25 October 168[2]), courtesy name Zhongju (Chinese: 仲舉), 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 (太尉) during the reign of Emperor Huan and later as Grand Tutor (太傅) in Emperor Ling's time. He and Dou Wu plotted against the eunuchs, but their plan was leaked; they were then both killed.[3]
Service under Emperor Huan
In the 160s,[4] when a teenage Xu Shao went to Yingchuan Commandery (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's wife died, many people attended her funeral, but Xu Shao did not show up. When asked, Xu Shao replied, "Taiqiu[5] is too well-acquainted, it's difficult for him to be thorough; Zhongju is a serious person who hardly makes compromises. These are the reasons why I didn't visit them."[6]
In July or August 165,[7] Chen Fan was appointed Grand Commandant, replacing Yang Bing.[8] He remained Grand Commandant until c.August 166;[9] Emperor Huan found Chen's advice too uncomfortable so he relieved Chen of his position, citing that the officials Chen recommended were unsuitable for their positions.[10]
Service under Emperor Ling
See also
References
- ^ There are differing accounts on when Chen Fan was born. His biography in Book of the Later Han recorded that he was in his 70s when he died. (...曹节等矫诏诛武等。蕃时年七十馀，...) Houhanshu, vol.66. However, in Dou Wu's biography in the same work, it was recorded that Chen claimed to be 80 (by East Asian reckoning) in a dialogue with Dou. (蕃复说武曰：“...！蕃以八十之年，...) Houhanshu, vol.69.
- ^ According to Liu Hong's biography in Book of the Later Han, Chen Fan and Dou Wu, among others, were killed on the xinhai day of the 9th month of the 1st year of the Jianning era of his reign. This corresponds to 25 Oct 168 in the Julian calendar. [(建宁元年)九月辛亥，中常侍曹节矫诏诛太傅陈蕃、大将军窦武...] Houhanshu, vol.08
- ^ (及事泄，曹节等矫诏诛武等。) Houhanshu, vol.66
- ^ As Xu Shao was around 18 years old when Chen Fan died in Oct 168, this anecdote most likely took place in the 160s.
- ^ As Chen Shi was the mayor (長) of Taiqiu County (太丘縣), he was also known as Chen Taiqiu (陳太丘).
- ^ (劭甞到潁川，多長者之遊，唯不候陳寔。又陳蕃喪妻還葬，郷人畢至，而劭獨不往。或問其故，劭曰：「太丘道廣，廣則難周；仲舉性峻，峻則少通。故不造也。」其多所裁量若此。) Houhanshu vol. 68.
- ^ Emperor Huan's biography recorded that Chen Fan was made Grand Commandant in the 7th month of the 8th year of the Yanxi era of his reign. ([延熹八年]秋七月，太中大夫陈蕃为太尉。) Houhanshu, vol.07. This corresponds to 26 Jul to 24 Aug 165 in the Julian calendar.
- ^ ([延熹]八年，代杨秉为太尉。) Houhanshu, vol.66.
- ^ Emperor Huan's biography recorded that Chen Fan was dismissed as Grand Commandant in the 7th month of the 9th year of the Yanxi era of his reign. ([延熹九年]秋七月，....太尉陈蕃免。) Houhanshu, vol.07. This corresponds to 14 Aug to 12 Sep 166 in the Julian calendar.
- ^ (帝讳其言切，托以蕃辟召非其人，遂策免之。) Houhanshu, vol.66
