Introduction
Chen Wu (陳武), courtesy name Zilie (子烈), was an Eastern Wu general from Lujiang and one of the “Tiger Generals of Jiangbiao.” He went to pay his respects to Sun Ce at Shouchun when he was eighteen; he was over seven feet tall. He crossed the river with Sun Ce, had merit in the campaigns, and was made Separate Commander. When Sun Ce defeated Liu Xun he obtained many men from Lujiang; he selected the best and put Chen Wu in charge of them—they were invincible in the van. When Sun Quan took over, Chen Wu followed the campaigns against the Shanyue; when they were pacified he was made Colonel of the Five Sections (五校尉). In the twentieth year of Jian’an (215) he went with Sun Quan to attack Hefei and died fighting. Sun Quan mourned him and attended his funeral in person. His son Chen Xiu died first; another son Chen Biao (陳表) succeeded to his troops. Chen Shou counted him among the “tigers of Jiangbiao.”
Biography
Under Sun Ce
Chen Wu was from Songzi (松滋), Lujiang (廬江). When Sun Ce was at Shouchun, Chen Wu went to call on him; he was eighteen at the time and was seven feet seven inches tall. He crossed the river with Sun Ce, took part in the campaigns, had merit, and was made Separate Commander (別部司馬).
When Sun Ce defeated Liu Xun he gained many men from Lujiang. He chose the finest and put Chen Wu in charge of them as supervisor. This unit led the way and was never turned back.
Under Sun Quan and death at Hefei
When Sun Quan succeeded, Chen Wu followed the campaigns against the Shanyue. When they were pacified he was made Colonel of the Five Sections (五校尉).
In the twentieth year of Jian’an (215), Chen Wu went with Sun Quan to attack Hefei. He fought with all his strength and was killed in battle. Sun Quan grieved for him and attended his funeral in person.
Chen Wu’s son Chen Xiu (陳修) had merit and was recommended, but he died before he could succeed. Another son Chen Biao (陳表) succeeded to Chen Wu’s troops. Chen Biao later became General of the Side and Marquis of Du (都侯) and was involved in the Two Palaces conflict on the side of Sun He.
Personality and traits
The Records of the Three Kingdoms states that Chen Wu’s Lujiang unit “led the way and was never turned back” (所向無前). Sun Quan’s personal attendance at his funeral shows the regard in which he was held.
Political achievements
Under Sun Ce: crossed the river; merit in campaigns; Separate Commander; after defeat of Liu Xun, supervisor of selected Lujiang troops (“invincible in the van”). Under Sun Quan: campaigns against Shanyue; Colonel of the Five Sections; 215 Battle of Hefei (died in battle).
Relationships
Sun Ce, Sun Quan
Chen Wu joined Sun Ce at Shouchun and served through the conquest of Jiangdong; under Sun Quan he campaigned against the Shanyue and fell at Hefei.
Chen Biao
Chen Biao was Chen Wu’s son and succeeded to his troops; he became a general and was involved in the Two Palaces conflict.
Anecdotes and allusions
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In the novel, Chen Wu is described as seven feet tall, with a sallow face and red eyes and an odd appearance. Sun Ce values him and makes him a colonel and vanguard; he leads a dozen riders into the enemy formation and takes fifty heads. At Moling he kills Zhang Ying. He is listed among the Jiangbiao Tiger Generals.
Achievements
Documented achievements include: under Sun Ce (crossing the river, Separate Commander, supervisor of Lujiang troops); under Sun Quan (campaigns against Shanyue, Colonel of the Five Sections); death at Hefei (215).
Behind the scenes
Historical sources
Chen Wu’s biography is in the Records of the Three Kingdoms (三国志), “Biographies of Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Han Dang, Jiang Qin, Zhou Tai, Chen Wu, and others” (吳書·程黃韓蔣周陳董甘凌徐潘丁傳). The biography is brief; the Jiangbiao zhuan may add detail.
Chen Shou’s evaluation
“All these generals were tigers of Jiangbiao, and the Sun house treated them with great favour.”
Legacy
Chen Wu is remembered as one of the “Tiger Generals of Jiangbiao” who commanded the picked Lujiang troops and fell at the Battle of Hefei. His son Chen Biao later became a notable general.
See also
- Sun Ce — joined him at Shouchun
- Sun Quan — served after Sun Ce; fell at Hefei under him
- Chen Biao — son; succeeded to his troops
- Cheng Pu — same SGZ chapter, fellow Tiger General
References
- Chen Shou. Records of the Three Kingdoms (三国志), “Biographies of Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Han Dang, Jiang Qin, Zhou Tai, Chen Wu, and others” (吳書·程黃韓蔣周陳董甘凌徐潘丁傳).
- Luo Guanzhong. Romance of the Three Kingdoms (三國演義), chapters on Sun Ce’s campaign and Moling.