Chen Wu

史载（Historical Record）

Chen Wu, courtesy name Zilie, was a native of Songzi in Lujiang. In his youth he already displayed extraordinary talent and loyalty. When Sun Ce was recruiting talent at Shouchun, Chen Wu—then only eighteen, standing seven chi seven cun tall—went to pay his respects, and followed Sun Ce in crossing the Yangtze on campaign, repeatedly distinguishing himself, and was therefore appointed Separate Department Major. ^c:4086 After Sun Ce defeated Liu Xun, he obtained a large number of elite troops from Lujiang, and Sun Ce appointed Chen Wu as their commander; wherever Chen Wu led them they were invincible.

After Sun Quan succeeded to the great enterprise, Chen Wu's position rose further, and he was transferred to command the Five Garrisons. Renowned for his benevolence and generosity, he attracted many followers, both villagers and travelers from afar. Sun Quan was especially fond of Chen Wu and often visited his home. Chen Wu accumulated merit after merit in the Eastern Wu regime and was finally promoted to General of the Side. ^c:4086

In the twentieth year of Jian'an (215 CE), Chen Wu followed Sun Quan in the Battle of Hefei. In that fierce battle, Chen Wu fought valiantly and was finally killed in action. When Sun Quan learned of the calamity, he was deeply grieved and personally attended the mourning and presided over the funeral. According to the Jiangbiao Zhuan, Sun Quan even ordered that Chen Wu's beloved concubine be buried with him, and bestowed two hundred client households, to show his deep affection and grief for Chen Wu. ^c:4086

演中（In the Novel）

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chen Wu's image is further dramatized; he appears earlier and takes part in many important battles, displaying his side as a brave and skilled fighter. He first appears in Chapter 15, described as "seven chi tall, with a sallow face and red eyes, of strange appearance," ^c:4088 much esteemed by Sun Ce, who appointed him colonel and made him vanguard. In the attack on Xue Li, Chen Wu led a dozen-odd horsemen charging into the enemy ranks, taking over fifty heads, so that Xue Li shut his gates and dared not come out. ^c:4088

In the novel, Chen Wu was not only a fierce general on the battlefield but also took part in many important military operations. For example, when Zhou Yu seized Qu'e, Chen Wu joined up with Zhou Yu and helped him into the city, causing Liu Yao to lose his entire base. ^c:4087 In the struggle for Nan Commandery after the Battle of Red Cliffs, when Cao Ren set up an empty-fort strategy to raid Zhou Yu's main camp, Chen Wu and Lü Meng burst out from the north road and, together with Han Dang, Jiang Qin, Zhou Tai, Pan Zhang, Xu Sheng, Ding Feng, and other generals, routed Cao's troops, dealing Cao Ren a crushing defeat. ^c:4089

In addition, after Liu Bei borrowed Jing Province, when Sun Quan plotted to take it back, Chen Wu also took part in the pursuit of Liu Bei. He, together with Pan Zhang, Jiang Qin, Zhou Tai, and other generals, was ordered to chase after Liu Bei and Lady Sun, but in the end failed because of Lady Sun's firm attitude and Zhao Yun's protection. ^c:15303 In the Battle of Ruxukou, Chen Wu, together with Pan Zhang, Han Dang, and Zhou Tai, burst out from behind the hills and shot at Cao Cao with bows and crossbows in disorderly volleys, forcing Cao Cao to lead his army back. ^c:4090 The novel's depiction of Chen Wu emphasizes his valor and loyalty to Eastern Wu, making him an indispensable fierce general in the Eastern Wu camp.

关键关系

* Sun Ce (serves): At eighteen, Chen Wu followed Sun Ce, crossing the Yangtze on campaign and repeatedly distinguishing himself; he was deeply valued by Sun Ce, appointed Separate Department Major, and put in command of the Lujiang elite troops. ^c:4086
* Sun Quan (serves, dies_in): After Sun Quan took charge of affairs, Chen Wu was transferred to command the Five Garrisons, accumulating merit and rising to General of the Side. Sun Quan was especially fond of him and often visited his home. Chen Wu finally died fighting for Sun Quan at the Battle of Hefei, and Sun Quan, deeply grieved, personally attended his funeral. ^c:4086
* Zhou Yu (fights_in): In the novel, Chen Wu helped Zhou Yu into Qu'e and aided him in taking the city. (novel only) ^c:4087 In the Battle of Nanjun, Chen Wu also took part in Zhou Yu's scheme, joining the other generals in defeating Cao Ren. (novel only) ^c:4089
* Cao Cao (enemy_of): As an Eastern Wu general, Chen Wu fought many times against Cao Cao and his subordinates. In the histories, he finally died in the Battle of Hefei against Cao Cao's side. ^c:4086 In the novel, he charged into battle against Cao Cao in many engagements, such as the Battle of Nanjun and the Battle of Ruxukou. (novel only) ^{c:4089 c:4090}

标志性场景

* Following Sun Ce across the Yangtze on campaign, repeatedly distinguishing himself: At eighteen, Chen Wu joined Sun Ce and followed him in crossing the Yangtze on campaign, being appointed Separate Department Major for his merit and put in command of the Lujiang elite troops, invincible wherever he went, establishing his standing in the Eastern Wu regime. ^c:4086
* Dying in action at the Battle of Hefei: In the twentieth year of Jian'an, Chen Wu fought valiantly for Eastern Wu at the Battle of Hefei and finally died a heroic death. Sun Quan was deeply grieved, personally presided over his funeral, and ordered his beloved concubine buried with him—a testament to Chen Wu's important place in Sun Quan's heart. ^c:4086
* Helping Zhou Yu into Qu'e: In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chen Wu assisted Zhou Yu in seizing Qu'e, causing Liu Yao to lose his entire base, displaying his key role in military operations. (novel only) ^c:4087
* Routing Cao Ren at the Battle of Nanjun: In the novel, Chen Wu, together with Lü Meng and other generals, burst out from the north road and routed Cao Ren's camp-raiding force, contributing to Zhou Yu's victory at Nan Commandery. (novel only) ^c:4089
* Shooting volleys of arrows at Cao Cao at the Battle of Ruxukou: In the novel's Battle of Ruxukou, Chen Wu, together with Pan Zhang and other generals, burst out from behind the hills and let fly volleys of arrows, forcing Cao Cao into a disorderly flight, displaying his valorous fighting style. (novel only) ^c:4090