Chen Shi

Chen Shi (courtesy name Zhonggong) was a prominent scholar from Yingchuan in the Eastern Han dynasty and once served as magistrate of Taiqiu. He does not appear in Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Deeds

• Chen Shi served as magistrate of Taiqiu. After the proscription of partisans, he lived in seclusion on Mount Jing, and people from near and far revered him as their teacher. (Recorded in historical sources)^[1]
• After Emperor Ling died, He Jin summoned Chen Shi and wanted to appoint him as an army adviser. Citing his advanced age and poor health, Chen Shi declined to enter government service. (Recorded in historical sources)^[1]
• When Chen Shi died, Xun Shuang and Han Rong wore mourning garments of the lightest grade for him and treated him with the respect due to a father or grandfather. Many people came from all quarters to pay their respects; another source records that 30,000 attended his funeral. (Recorded in historical sources)^[1]
• At the age of twelve, Deng Ai read the inscription on Chen Shi’s stele. Inspired by its words, “His literary work is a model for the age; his conduct, a standard for scholars,” he took the name Fan and the courtesy name Shize. He later changed his courtesy name because someone in his clan had the same one. (Recorded in historical sources)^[2]

Relationships

• Chen Ji and Chen Chen were Chen Shi’s sons. The source identifies them as Chen Qun’s grandfather, father, and uncle, respectively: Chen Shi, Chen Ji, and Chen Chen.^[1]
• Chen Qun was Chen Shi’s grandson. When Chen Qun was young, Chen Shi thought him exceptional and once told the clan elders that the boy would surely bring glory to the family.^[1]