Chen Yu

Biography

Family Background and Early Years

Chen Yu, courtesy name Zhongxing, came from a family originally based in Cao County. His great-great-grandfather Chen Yifu had served the Song as a Waiting Official of the Longtu Pavilion and Hanlin Academician, eventually reaching the rank of Grand Master for Splendid Happiness with Gold Seal and Purple Ribbon, and received the posthumous name Wenzhong. He accompanied Emperor Gaozong of Song south and moved to Jiankang, where his descendants settled. Chen Yu's great-grandfather Chen Zhizhong served during the reign of Emperor Lizong of Song as a Military Merit Grand Master and commander of the armies of the Huainan circuits. His grandfather Chen Wende passed the Yuan civil-service examination and served as assistant magistrate of Liyang County. His father Chen Xinzhi served under the Yuan as an official overseeing the Huainan salt tax. Chen Yu thus came from a long-established scholarly and official family.

Chen Yu was described as pure in disposition and unusually perceptive. He studied diligently from youth, became broadly learned in the classics and histories, and was especially accomplished in Earlier Heaven learning. In the late Yuan, while serving as an instructor at the Wenzhou Prefectural School, he became disillusioned with intrigue in official life and took up the headship of the Mingdao Academy in Jiangdong. He taught in Yongjia and attracted students from both near and far. He named the room in which he lived “Jingcheng,” and people consequently addressed him with respect as “Master Jingcheng.” As the Yuan order weakened and rival rebel leaders rose across the country, Chen abandoned official service and withdrew to Jiankang, where he lived quietly and simply.

Although in retirement, Chen Yu remained deeply concerned about political disorder. The source says that as upheaval worsened he would rise early, burn incense, and pray to Heaven for the early appearance of a humane and sagely ruler who could rescue those harmed by the age. Later writers treated this concern for the people as a prelude to his eventual service under Zhu Yuanzhang.

Meeting Zhu Yuanzhang and Joining His Staff

In the third lunar month of 1356, the second year of the Longfeng era, Zhu Yuanzhang crossed the Yangtze and captured Jiqing, present-day Nanjing. Qin Conglong, courtesy name Yuanzhi, an Investigating Censor of the Southern Censorate, had long known Chen Yu's learning, character, and ability. He told Zhu: “Chen Yu has the talent to assist a ruler. He should be kept at your side so that his abilities may be put to use.” On the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, Zhu immediately sent Chen Yu an earnest letter, comparing the kind of assistance he sought with that of Yi Yin, Lü Shang, and Zhuge Liang and asking Chen to emerge from retirement.

In the letter Zhu Yuanzhang wrote that the Yuan had entered China, the realm had broken apart, armed leaders were competing for territory, warfare was everywhere, and the common people were displaced. He said Heaven's mandate had turned to him, that he had crossed eastward and taken the city, and that since founding an enterprise had always been difficult, he regretted having commanders but no constant military adviser at his side. He had heard, Zhu said, that Chen Yu had long lived in the lower Yangtze, mastered the Three Histories and Six Classics, read widely in military texts and many arts, and combined civil and military talent. Zhu urged Chen to rise like Yi Yin, Lü Shang, and Zhuge Liang; if he truly cared for the people, he should extend compassion to those suffering, follow Heaven and the people, and present far-reaching plans. Zhu emphasized that his aim was not to delight in warfare but to rely on civil virtue to pacify the population, complete a great enterprise, and reward merit with titles and lands transmissible to descendants. He asked Chen not to preserve himself merely through seclusion, but to put the Way into practice in a time of need.

Moved by Zhu's sincerity, Chen Yu went to his headquarters. Zhu was delighted by their conversation, increased the honors shown to him, addressed him as “Master” rather than by name, and retained him for confidential planning. Chen thereafter became one of Zhu's trusted advisers. Zhu personally visited Chen Yu's residence three times.

Repeatedly Declining Office and Maintaining a Quiet Life

Although highly trusted after joining Zhu Yuanzhang's staff, Chen Yu repeatedly declined official appointments. In 1364, the tenth year of the Longfeng era, when Zhu became Prince of Wu, he granted Chen ceremonial cap and belt and appointed him Assistant Director of the Service Office. Chen refused.

In 1368, the first year of the Hongwu era, Zhu Yuanzhang proclaimed himself emperor. Chen Yu presented his views on government and placed the restoration of the rites and teachings of the ancient kings of China at the center of his recommendations. Zhu gave him a shoulder-borne carriage and selected ten guards to escort him. Three times Zhu appointed him Hanlin Academician, and three times Chen declined.

In 1370, the third year of the Hongwu era, Chen was ordered to travel through the two Zhejiang circuits to investigate popular conditions and local grievances. On returning to court, he submitted confidential observations. Zhu rewarded him with silver and patterned silk and appointed him Left Vice Director of the Secretariat, but Chen firmly declined.

In 1371, the fourth year of the Hongwu era, Zhu summoned Chen Yu to Huagai Hall, gave him a seat, and ordered him to draft the Edict for Pacifying the West. Chen received generous rewards and was appointed Vice Minister of Rites and concurrently Grand Academician of Hongwen Hall, but again declined. At the time a black horse had been presented from the western regions. Zhu found it remarkable and summoned Chen to inspect it. Chen used a precedent from the Western Han to offer remonstrance. Zhu was pleased, gave him a large silver ingot, and appointed him Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. Chen again refused. Zhu initially would not permit it, but after a long pause finally yielded.

In 1378, the eleventh year of the Hongwu era, Zhu again appointed Chen Yu Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Chen firmly declined once more. Zhu exclaimed: “A man of principle and resolve is not moved by rank and fame; that describes you. I will not compel you, so that your name may be fulfilled.” From then on Zhu no longer pressed him to accept office. During periods of leisure, however, he regularly summoned Chen to ask about the successes and failures of past and present. The rewards were always generous. If Chen had sat in audience for a long time, Zhu would order a banquet for him and even provide imperial horses to carry him home.

Later Years and Death

Although Chen Yu held no regular office, he continued to participate in confidential state affairs as a commoner. When meritorious officials were punished for offenses, Chen frequently interceded on their behalf, and the source states that most obtained some measure of clemency. Zhu Yuanzhang once told him: “You have sons. Have one come serve me with a sword; I will employ him well.” Chen replied: “My three sons are all still young. Let them first complete their studies and become established, and then they may seek to repay Your Majesty.” Zhu was pleased and gave him ceremonial garments and gold. At the height of his favor, the source states, even dukes, marquises, ministers, and grandees could not rival the treatment he received.

In the autumn of 1384, the seventeenth year of the Hongwu era, Chen Yu fell ill. Zhu Yuanzhang ordered officials of the Imperial Medical Service to examine him. Chen died on the nineteenth day of the ninth lunar month at the age of seventy-two. Zhu mourned deeply, sent a palace eunuch to conduct sacrifice, provided an imperial-grade coffin, and granted burial at Changlin on Purple Mountain. Dong Lun, Grand Academician of the Right Spring Quarter, composed his epitaph.

After Chen Yu's death, his younger brother Chen Yuan, courtesy name Zhongfu, who had accompanied him in attendance during the Hongwu era, later became a Hanlin Expectant Official in the early Yongle era. Chen Yu's son Chen Gong passed the provincial examination in 1384. During the Xuande era he rose to Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, in the first year of the Zhengtong era was promoted to Right Transmission Commissioner, and in the fourteenth year of Zhengtong became Minister of Works. Because of Chen Gong's high rank, the court posthumously granted Chen Yu the titles Grand Master for Court Discussion, Zanzhiyin, and Right Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

Major Activities

Strategic Advice in the Founding of the Dynasty

Chen Yu was one of Zhu Yuanzhang's important advisers after Zhu crossed the Yangtze. From entering Zhu's staff in 1356 to his death in 1384, Chen remained near him for almost thirty years, attending strategic councils and assisting with major affairs. The source characterizes the matters on which Zhu consulted him as plans concerning preservation of the state and security of the people. After Zhu became emperor, Chen “set forth the Way of government and placed first the restoration of the rites and teachings of China's former kings,” providing intellectual resources for the reconstruction of ritual institutions in the early Ming.

Although he did not hold a prominent formal post, Chen was said to have “exhausted his heart and expressed his sincerity, frequently offering proposals and corrections,” and he played an important role in early Ming political decision-making. In 1370 he was sent through the two Zhejiang circuits to investigate local conditions and popular hardships; after returning he submitted confidential observations that provided Zhu with information on local government.

Repeatedly Declining High Office and Upholding Personal Principles

The most distinctive feature of Chen Yu's public life was his repeated refusal of high office offered by Zhu Yuanzhang. According to Guochao Xianzheng Lu, he successively declined the posts of Assistant Director of the Service Office, Hanlin Academician on three occasions, Left Vice Director of the Secretariat, Vice Minister of Rites combined with Grand Academician of Hongwen Hall, Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, and Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Rather than taking offense, Zhu respected him more and said: “A man of principle and resolve is not moved by rank and fame; that describes you.”

Chen's refusals were presented by later writers not as affectation but as an expression of personal principle. Yang Shiqi, in Dongli Xuji, wrote that Chen was able to serve the state effectively and was deeply known by his ruler without becoming bound by rank and salary, remaining composed and true to his Way; Yang regarded this as the conduct of a genuine heroic scholar.

Interceding for Meritorious Officials

Although Chen Yu deliberately lived quietly, he was willing to speak at decisive moments. When meritorious officials were punished for mistakes, he repeatedly tried to rescue or defend them, and the source states that most obtained forgiveness. His willingness to plead for others even when Zhu Yuanzhang was angry was later taken as evidence of his character: loyal to principle and unwilling to present arguments that did not accord with what he considered the right Way.

Remonstrance

In 1371, the fourth year of the Hongwu era, a black horse was presented from the western regions. Zhu Yuanzhang found it extraordinary and summoned Chen Yu to view it. Chen cited a precedent from the Western Han to offer remonstrance. Zhu was delighted and rewarded him with a large silver ingot. Though a small incident, later accounts used it to illustrate Chen's skill in using historical precedents to admonish a ruler.

Painting and Calligraphy

Chen Yu was described as having lofty and pure aspirations and a relaxed artistic temperament. In his leisure from study of the Way he turned his mind to painting and once produced a portrait of Zhu Yuanzhang that was said to be unsurpassed in its time. He did not publicize the work, however, and the source says that almost no one in later generations could obtain an example, a point used to emphasize his indifference to fame.

Personal Relations

Family

• Great-great-grandfather: Chen Yifu, Waiting Official of the Longtu Pavilion and Hanlin Academician under the Song; rose to Grand Master for Splendid Happiness with Gold Seal and Purple Ribbon; posthumous name Wenzhong
• Great-grandfather: Chen Zhizhong, Military Merit Grand Master and commander of the Huainan circuits under Emperor Lizong of Song
• Grandfather: Chen Wende, Yuan jinshi and assistant magistrate of Liyang County
• Father: Chen Xinzhi, official responsible for the Huainan salt tax under the Yuan
• Younger brother: Chen Yuan, courtesy name Zhongfu; attended Chen Yu during the Hongwu era and became a Hanlin Expectant Official early in the Yongle era
• Son: Chen Gong; passed the provincial examination in the seventeenth year of Hongwu and eventually became Minister of Works
• Wives: Lady Wang of Jinhua; later Lady Zhou of Weiyang

Ruler-Subject

• Zhu Yuanzhang: Chen Yu's ruler; treated him with exceptional respect, addressed him as “Master” instead of by name, and personally visited his residence three times

Recommendation

• Qin Conglong, courtesy name Yuanzhi: Investigating Censor of the Southern Censorate; recommended Chen Yu to Zhu Yuanzhang, saying that he had “the talent to assist a ruler”

Colleagues

• Dong Lun: Grand Academician of the Right Spring Quarter; wrote Chen Yu's epitaph
• Yang Shiqi: Prominent Ming official; wrote a commemorative inscription for Chen Yu

Historical Assessment

Ming / Contemporary

• Zhu Yuanzhang: “A man of principle and resolve is not moved by rank and fame; that describes you. I will not compel you, so that your name may be fulfilled.”
• Yang Shiqi, in Dongli Xuji, wrote that a scholar who could render effective service to the state, be deeply recognized by his ruler, yet remain unbound by rank and salary and true to his Way must possess clear judgment and a firm inner standard; he asked whether such a man should not be called a hero.
• Ni Qian praised Chen Yu in a mourning poem, presenting him as a trusted adviser whose ruler repeatedly visited him, yet who still admired the reclusive ideal associated with Yan Ziling and remained in plain clothing while other meritorious officials rode in red official carriages.

Early to Mid-Qing

• Jiao Hong, compiler of Guochao Xianzheng Lu, included Chen Yu in a biography under the name “Master Jingcheng” and described him as pure in natural endowment, unusually perceptive, broadly learned in the classics and histories, and especially accomplished in Earlier Heaven learning.
• The Qing-compiled History of Ming did not give Chen Yu an independent biography, but recorded his deeds in biographies of related figures and treated him as an early Ming example of a high-minded scholar who refused rank and salary.

Late Qing and Republican Period

• Republican-era scholars compiling materials on the early Ming frequently praised Chen Yu's repeated refusal of office and deliberate quietness, viewing him as a representative case of a commoner participating in government without becoming a regular official.

Modern Period

• Modern scholarship on early Ming politics often discusses Chen Yu together with advisers such as Liu Ji and Song Lian and treats him as an important participant in Zhu Yuanzhang's effort to combine civil and military expertise.
• His participation in confidential affairs while remaining technically a commoner, together with his repeated rejection of high office, has been treated as an example of early Ming literati ideals of refusing worldly profit and preserving personal principle.