Chen Sheng

Chen Sheng (陳生, ? – ?) was a figure of the late Eastern Han dynasty in China. He was one of the forces that established independent holdings in the chaotic Jing Province, and he surrendered to Liu Biao.

Life

In 190 (first year of Chuping), the Dong Zhuo Rebellion broke out, central authority weakened, and the Jing Province governor Wang Ye was killed by Sun Jian, after which local magnates each established their own holdings. Chen Sheng and Zhang Hu (張虎) were active with Jiangxia as their base. Liu Biao, who took office as Wang Ye's successor, followed the stratagem of Kuai Yue to lure the leaders of each local magnate and execute them, absorbing their followers. Only Chen Sheng and Zhang Hu held out, holding onto Xiangyang, but they surrendered upon the persuasion of Kuai Yue and Pang Ji (龐季). With this, Liu Biao pacified Jing Province.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms

In the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which is not a historical record, he appears as a subordinate general of Huang Zu from Xiangyang people. Sun Jian, having received a letter from Yuan Shu, raises troops and attacks Liu Biao. Huang Zu meets the army of Sun Jian rushing toward Xiangyang. Zhang Hu comes forward and fights Han Dang for over thirty bouts, and Chen Sheng gallops forward to assist him. Then an arrow shot by Sun Ce strikes his face, and he is killed in battle.

References

• Sima Biao, Zhanlüe (戰略); cited in the commentary by Pei Songzhi to Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 6, Book of Wei 6, Liu Biao