Chen Xiu (traditional: 陳脩, simplified: 陈修, pinyin: Chén Xiū) was the eldest son of Chen Wu (陳武, 178–215), one of the most distinguished generals of Eastern Wu under Sun Ce and Sun Quan. Chen Xiu himself is barely attested in the sources: he died before his father, and his brief mention in the Records of the Three Kingdoms serves mainly to explain why Chen Wu’s second son, Chen Biao, inherited his father’s troops and position.
Background
Chen Wu was from Lusu (廬舒, in modern Anhui) and joined Sun Ce early in his career. He distinguished himself in numerous battles and was one of Sun Ce’s most trusted commanders. After Sun Ce’s death in 200, Chen Wu continued to serve Sun Quan with distinction. He commanded troops and was known for his loyalty and martial ability.
Chen Wu had two sons: Chen Xiu (陳脩), the elder, and Chen Biao (陳表), the younger. Chen Biao’s mother was a concubine, not the principal wife.
Death
Chen Xiu died before his father. The sources do not record the cause or date of his death, only that it occurred before 215, when Chen Wu was killed at the Battle of Hefei. This means Chen Xiu’s death probably occurred sometime in the 200s or early 210s.
The premature death of the eldest son had significant consequences for the family. Under the system of hereditary military commands that operated in Eastern Wu, a general’s troops and rank would normally pass to his eldest son upon his death. Because Chen Xiu had predeceased his father, this succession could not occur.
Succession by Chen Biao
When Chen Wu was killed at the Battle of Hefei in 215 — during Sun Quan’s campaign against Cao Cao’s forces at Hefei — his troops and command would normally have passed to Chen Xiu. Since Chen Xiu was dead, the succession fell to the second son, Chen Biao.
Chen Biao’s succession was notable for the following reasons:
- Chen Biao was born to a concubine, not the principal wife, which could have complicated his claim to his father’s position.
- Chen Biao was known for his willingness to treat his father’s soldiers as family, sharing in their hardships and caring for their needs. He used his own resources to support the families of soldiers and won their loyalty.
- Chen Biao eventually rose to the rank of General of the Side (偏將軍) and was enfeoffed as Marquis of Du (都鄉侯).
The biography of Chen Biao in the Records of the Three Kingdoms mentions Chen Xiu only in passing, to explain the succession. Chen Xiu’s own activities, if any, are not recorded.
See also
- Chen Wu — father
- Chen Biao — brother, who succeeded their father
- Eastern Wu
- Battle of Hefei (215)