Chen Yixing
Encyclopedia
Chen Yixing (died 844), courtesy name Zhoudao (周道), was an official of the Chinese
dynasty Tang Dynasty
, serving twice as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Wenzong
and Emperor Wuzong
. He was viewed as a Li Faction leader in the Niu-Li Factional Struggles
.
, but had, for generations, lived in Yingchuan (潁川, in modern Luoyang
, Henan
). Neither his grandfather Chen Zhong (陳忠) nor his father Chen Yong (陳邕) was listed with any offices in the table of the chancellors' family trees in the New Book of Tang
, suggesting that neither had an official title. He had at least three younger brothers, Chen Xuanxi (陳玄錫), Chen Yize (陳夷則), and Chen Yishi (陳夷實).
In 812, during the reign of Emperor Xianzong
, Chen passed the imperial examination
s in the Jinshi class. Thereafter, he served on the staffs of several regional governors. As of the end of Baoli era (825-827) of Emperor Xianzong's grandson Emperor Jingzong
, Chen was serving as an imperial censor with the title of Shiyushi (侍御史), and serving at the eastern capital Luoyang
, when he was made Yubu Yuanwailang (虞部員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of public works (工部, Gongbu). He continued to serve at Luoyang.
, Chen Yixing was recalled to the capital Chang'an
to serve as an imperial chronicler (起居郎, Qijulang), and he also served as an editor in imperial history, participating in the compilation of the chronicles of Emperor Xianzong's reign. After those chronicles of Emperor Xianzong's reigns were presented to Emperor Wenzong in 830, Chen was made Sifeng Yuanwailang (司封員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of ministry of civil service affairs (吏部, Libu). In 831, he was promoted to be Libu Langzhong (吏部郎中), a supervisory official at the ministry of civil service affairs. Later in the same year, he was also made an imperial scholar (翰林學士, Hanlin Xueshi). In 834, he was also made a tutor to the Crown Prince
Li Yong
and ordered to attend to and lecture Li Yong on the Confucian classics once every five days. He was further given the office of Jianyi Daifu (諫議大夫), an advisory official, and put in charge of drafting edicts. In 835, he was made the deputy minister of worship (太常少卿, Taichang Shaoqing), and continued to serve in his capacities as imperial scholar, tutor to Li Yong, and drafter of edicts.
and Zheng Tan
. As of 838, by which time Li Shi had resigned and Yang Sifu
and Li Jue
had been made chancellors as well, it was said that Chen was honest in his opinions and therefore despised Yang for what he viewed as Yang's grab on power, and they often argued when discussing policy matters. Chen thus offered to resign, but Emperor Wenzong declined his resignation. After this incident, he continued to frequently, in veiled terms, accuse Yang of stealing imperial authority while discussing issues. (Modern historians such as Bo Yang
viewed these arguments as factional in nature, and considered Chen and Zheng to be among the leaders of the Li Faction in the Niu-Li Factional Struggles
(named after Li Deyu
), while viewing Yang and Li Jue to be among the leaders of the Niu Faction (named after Niu Sengru
.) In particular, later in 838, when Yang advocated for the former chancellor Li Zongmin
, also considered a Niu Faction leader, who had been exiled, promoted and moved closer to the capital, Chen opposed vehemently, and it was said that from this point on, all policy arguments were complicated by partisan issues, making it difficult for Emperor Wenzong to rule on them.
In 839, there was a major argument that led to the removals of Chen and Zheng. Emperor Wenzong had praised the talents of the acting director of finances, Du Cong
. Yang and Li Jue thereafter recommended Du to be the ministry of census. Chen responded, "Such orders should come from the Emperor. In the past, those who lost stately sovereignty did so by losing their authorities to their subjects." Li Jue responded, "Your Imperial Majesty had told me previously that an Emperor should select chancellors, not suspect them." In a subsequent discussion, Chen again emphasized that the Emperor should not yield authority to his subjects. Li Jue, offended, responded, "Chen Yixing is obviously suspecting that there are chancellors who are stealing power from Your Imperial Majesty. I have often requested retirement, and I would be fortunate to be given a post as an imperial prince's teacher." Zheng then stated, "Your Imperial Majesty ruled well in the first and second years of the Kaicheng era [(i.e., 836 and 837)], while less so in the third and fourth years of Kaicheng [(i.e., 838 and 839)]." Yang responded, "In the first and second years, Zheng Tan and Chen Yixing were in power. In the third and fourth years, your subject and Li Jue joined them. Of course, the crime is mine." He then stated, "I do not dare to again enter the Office of the Chancellors!" He withdrew from Emperor Wenzong's presence. Emperor Wenzong subsequently sent a eunuch to comfort him, and Zheng partially apologized, stating, "Your subject is foolish. I did not intend to point at Yang Sifu, but Yang Sifu's reaction shows that he has no tolerance for me." Yang responded, "Zheng Tan stated that the governance is deteriorating year by year. This does not only incriminate your subject, but also speaks ill of your holy virtues." Yang then submitted multiple offers to resign. Soon thereafter, Zheng and Chen were stripped of their chancellor posts. Chen, instead, was made the deputy minister of civil service affairs (吏部侍郎, Libu Shilang). Later in the year, he was sent out of the capital to serve as the prefect of Hua Prefecture (華州, in modern Weinan
, Shaanxi
).
was emperor and Li Deyu was the leading chancellor, Chen Yixing was recalled from Hua Prefecture, apparently first to serve as chief imperial censor (御史大夫, Yushi Daifu), and then again chancellor, as well Menxia Shilang (門下侍郎), the deputy head of the examination bureau of government (門下省, Menxia Sheng).
Later that year, there was an incident in which Emperor Wuzong, believing that Yang Sifu and Li Jue, whom he had stripped of chancellor posts and sent out of Chang'an because he believed that they did not support him as emperor, became further incensed by the powerful eunuch Qiu Shiliang
against Yang and Li Jue, as well as two eunuchs trusted by Emperor Wenzong — Liu Hongyi (劉弘逸) and Xue Jileng (薛季稜) — that he ordered Liu and Xue to commit suicide, and further sent eunuchs with orders to force Yang and Li Jue to commit suicide as well. After Du Cong
pointed out to Li Deyu that it was unwise to let Emperor Wuzong to be accustomed to kill officials, Li Deyu, Chen, and fellow chancellors Cui Gong
and Cui Dan
interceded. As a result, Yang and Li Jue were spared of their lives, but further demoted.
Chen was himself soon involved in a policy argument against Li Deyu, as Tang's long-time ally and vassal Huigu had recently been defeated by Xiajiasi, and Huigu remnants were approaching Tang borders. One major group of Huigu remnants, led by the noble Wamosi
, approached the Tang city of Tiande (天德, in modern Bayan Nur
, Inner Mongolia
) and sought food aid, offering to submit to Tang. The defender of Tiande, Tian Mou (田牟), suggested that Wamosi's offer be rejected and that Tang forces attack him, along with allied Tuyuhun, Shatuo
, and Dangxiang tribes. Li Deyu opined differently, believing that Wamosi's offer should be accepted and that food should be supplied to the Huigu remnants. Chen opposed Li Deyu, arguing that in effect, it would be aiding the enemy. Emperor Wuzong eventually agreed with Li Deyu.
In 842, after Wamosi had made a trip to Chang'an to pay homage to Emperor Wuzong, Chen was relieved of his chancellor post and made Zuo Pushe (左僕射), one of the heads of the executive bureau (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng). In 843, Chen was sent out of the capital to serve as the military governor (Jiedushi
) of Hezhong Circuit (河中, headquartered in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi), as well as the mayor of its capital Hezhong Municipality. He was also given the honorary title of acting Sikong (司空, one of the Three Excellencies
) and Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi. Troops under him subsequently participated in the campaign against the warlord Liu Zhen
, which Li Deyu was overseeing. He died in 844 and was given posthumous honors.
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
dynasty Tang Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
, serving twice as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Wenzong
Emperor Wenzong of Tang
Emperor Wenzong of Tang , personal name Li Ang , né Li Han , was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China. He reigned from 827 to 840. Emperor Wenzong was the second son of Emperor Muzong and younger brother of Emperor Jingzong...
and Emperor Wuzong
Emperor Wuzong of Tang
Emperor Wuzong of Tang , né Li Chan , later changed to Li Yan just before his death, was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China, reigning from 840 to 846. Emperor Wuzong is mainly known in modern times for the religious persecution that occurred during his reign...
. He was viewed as a Li Faction leader in the Niu-Li Factional Struggles
Niu-Li Factional Struggles
Niu-Li Factional Struggles referred to the phenomenon that persisted at court in the middle-late Tang Dynasty of China — largely viewed to have started during the reign of Emperor Muzong, circa 821, but having its seeds in the events of his father Emperor Xianzong — between two court factions...
.
Background and early career
It is not known when Chen Yixing was born. It was said that his family had its origins south of the Yangtze RiverYangtze River
The Yangtze, Yangzi or Cháng Jiāng is the longest river in Asia, and the third-longest in the world. It flows for from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It is also one of the...
, but had, for generations, lived in Yingchuan (潁川, in modern Luoyang
Luoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
, Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
). Neither his grandfather Chen Zhong (陳忠) nor his father Chen Yong (陳邕) was listed with any offices in the table of the chancellors' family trees in the New Book of Tang
New Book of Tang
The New Book of Tang , is a classic work of history about the Tang Dynasty edited by Ouyang Xiu and Song Qi and other official scholars of the Song Dynasty. The emperor called for a revision of the former Book of Tang in 1044. The New Book was presented to the throne in 1060. It was given its...
, suggesting that neither had an official title. He had at least three younger brothers, Chen Xuanxi (陳玄錫), Chen Yize (陳夷則), and Chen Yishi (陳夷實).
In 812, during the reign of Emperor Xianzong
Emperor Xianzong of Tang
Emperor Xianzong of Tang , personal name Li Chun , né Li Chun , was an emperor of the Chinese Tang Dynasty...
, Chen passed the imperial examination
Imperial examination
The Imperial examination was an examination system in Imperial China designed to select the best administrative officials for the state's bureaucracy. This system had a huge influence on both society and culture in Imperial China and was directly responsible for the creation of a class of...
s in the Jinshi class. Thereafter, he served on the staffs of several regional governors. As of the end of Baoli era (825-827) of Emperor Xianzong's grandson Emperor Jingzong
Emperor Jingzong of Tang
Emperor Jingzong of Tang , personal name Li Zhan , was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China. He reigned from 824 to 827...
, Chen was serving as an imperial censor with the title of Shiyushi (侍御史), and serving at the eastern capital Luoyang
Luoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
, when he was made Yubu Yuanwailang (虞部員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of public works (工部, Gongbu). He continued to serve at Luoyang.
Before chancellorship
In 829, during the reign of Emperor Jingzong's brother Emperor WenzongEmperor Wenzong of Tang
Emperor Wenzong of Tang , personal name Li Ang , né Li Han , was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China. He reigned from 827 to 840. Emperor Wenzong was the second son of Emperor Muzong and younger brother of Emperor Jingzong...
, Chen Yixing was recalled to the capital Chang'an
Chang'an
Chang'an is an ancient capital of more than ten dynasties in Chinese history, today known as Xi'an. Chang'an literally means "Perpetual Peace" in Classical Chinese. During the short-lived Xin Dynasty, the city was renamed "Constant Peace" ; yet after its fall in AD 23, the old name was restored...
to serve as an imperial chronicler (起居郎, Qijulang), and he also served as an editor in imperial history, participating in the compilation of the chronicles of Emperor Xianzong's reign. After those chronicles of Emperor Xianzong's reigns were presented to Emperor Wenzong in 830, Chen was made Sifeng Yuanwailang (司封員外郎), a low-level official at the ministry of ministry of civil service affairs (吏部, Libu). In 831, he was promoted to be Libu Langzhong (吏部郎中), a supervisory official at the ministry of civil service affairs. Later in the same year, he was also made an imperial scholar (翰林學士, Hanlin Xueshi). In 834, he was also made a tutor to the Crown Prince
Crown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
Li Yong
Li Yong (prince)
Li Yong , formally Crown Prince Zhuangke , was a crown prince of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty. He was the oldest son of Emperor Wenzong.- Background :It is not known when Li Yong was born...
and ordered to attend to and lecture Li Yong on the Confucian classics once every five days. He was further given the office of Jianyi Daifu (諫議大夫), an advisory official, and put in charge of drafting edicts. In 835, he was made the deputy minister of worship (太常少卿, Taichang Shaoqing), and continued to serve in his capacities as imperial scholar, tutor to Li Yong, and drafter of edicts.
During and after chancellorship
In 837, when Chen Yixing was also serving as the deputy minister of public works (工部侍郎, Gongbu Shilang), he was made a chancellor de facto with the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi (同中書門下平章事), serving alongside Li ShiLi Shi (Tang Dynasty)
Li Shi , courtesy name Zhongyu , formally the Count of Longxi , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wenzong...
and Zheng Tan
Zheng Tan
Zheng Tan , formally the Duke of Yingyang , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wenzong. He was viewed as a Li Faction leader in the Niu-Li Factional Struggles....
. As of 838, by which time Li Shi had resigned and Yang Sifu
Yang Sifu
Yang Sifu , courtesy name Jizhi , nickname Qingmen , formally Count Xiaomu of Hongnong , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wenzong and the reign of Emperor Wenzong's brother Emperor Wuzong...
and Li Jue
Li Jue (Tang Dynasty)
Li Jue , courtesy name Daijia , formally Duke Zhenmu of Zanhuang , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Wenzong and Emperor Wenzong's brother Emperor Wuzong...
had been made chancellors as well, it was said that Chen was honest in his opinions and therefore despised Yang for what he viewed as Yang's grab on power, and they often argued when discussing policy matters. Chen thus offered to resign, but Emperor Wenzong declined his resignation. After this incident, he continued to frequently, in veiled terms, accuse Yang of stealing imperial authority while discussing issues. (Modern historians such as Bo Yang
Bo Yang
This article is about the Chinese writer. His name in Western languages is homonymic with Bó Yáng .Boyang , also sometimes called Baiyang, was a Chinese language writer based in Taiwan...
viewed these arguments as factional in nature, and considered Chen and Zheng to be among the leaders of the Li Faction in the Niu-Li Factional Struggles
Niu-Li Factional Struggles
Niu-Li Factional Struggles referred to the phenomenon that persisted at court in the middle-late Tang Dynasty of China — largely viewed to have started during the reign of Emperor Muzong, circa 821, but having its seeds in the events of his father Emperor Xianzong — between two court factions...
(named after Li Deyu
Li Deyu
Li Deyu , courtesy name Wenrao , formally the Duke of Wei , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of brothers Emperor Wenzong and Emperor Wuzong and their uncle Emperor Xuānzong...
), while viewing Yang and Li Jue to be among the leaders of the Niu Faction (named after Niu Sengru
Niu Sengru
Niu Sengru , courtesy name Si'an , formally Duke Wenzhen of Qizhang , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Muzong and his sons Emperor Jingzong and Emperor Wenzong...
.) In particular, later in 838, when Yang advocated for the former chancellor Li Zongmin
Li Zongmin
Li Zongmin , courtesy name Sunzhi , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving twice as chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wenzong...
, also considered a Niu Faction leader, who had been exiled, promoted and moved closer to the capital, Chen opposed vehemently, and it was said that from this point on, all policy arguments were complicated by partisan issues, making it difficult for Emperor Wenzong to rule on them.
In 839, there was a major argument that led to the removals of Chen and Zheng. Emperor Wenzong had praised the talents of the acting director of finances, Du Cong
Du Cong
Du Cong , courtesy name Yongyu , formally the Duke of Bin , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving two terms as chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Wuzong and Emperor Wuzong's cousin Emperor Yizong...
. Yang and Li Jue thereafter recommended Du to be the ministry of census. Chen responded, "Such orders should come from the Emperor. In the past, those who lost stately sovereignty did so by losing their authorities to their subjects." Li Jue responded, "Your Imperial Majesty had told me previously that an Emperor should select chancellors, not suspect them." In a subsequent discussion, Chen again emphasized that the Emperor should not yield authority to his subjects. Li Jue, offended, responded, "Chen Yixing is obviously suspecting that there are chancellors who are stealing power from Your Imperial Majesty. I have often requested retirement, and I would be fortunate to be given a post as an imperial prince's teacher." Zheng then stated, "Your Imperial Majesty ruled well in the first and second years of the Kaicheng era [(i.e., 836 and 837)], while less so in the third and fourth years of Kaicheng [(i.e., 838 and 839)]." Yang responded, "In the first and second years, Zheng Tan and Chen Yixing were in power. In the third and fourth years, your subject and Li Jue joined them. Of course, the crime is mine." He then stated, "I do not dare to again enter the Office of the Chancellors!" He withdrew from Emperor Wenzong's presence. Emperor Wenzong subsequently sent a eunuch to comfort him, and Zheng partially apologized, stating, "Your subject is foolish. I did not intend to point at Yang Sifu, but Yang Sifu's reaction shows that he has no tolerance for me." Yang responded, "Zheng Tan stated that the governance is deteriorating year by year. This does not only incriminate your subject, but also speaks ill of your holy virtues." Yang then submitted multiple offers to resign. Soon thereafter, Zheng and Chen were stripped of their chancellor posts. Chen, instead, was made the deputy minister of civil service affairs (吏部侍郎, Libu Shilang). Later in the year, he was sent out of the capital to serve as the prefect of Hua Prefecture (華州, in modern Weinan
Weinan
Weinan is a Municipality in the province of Shaanxi, PRC. The Grand Historian Sima Qian was born in Weinan.-Administration:...
, Shaanxi
Shaanxi
' is a province in the central part of Mainland China, and it includes portions of the Loess Plateau on the middle reaches of the Yellow River in addition to the Qinling Mountains across the southern part of this province...
).
During Emperor Wuzong's reign
In 841, by which time Emperor Wenzong's brother Emperor WuzongEmperor Wuzong of Tang
Emperor Wuzong of Tang , né Li Chan , later changed to Li Yan just before his death, was an emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China, reigning from 840 to 846. Emperor Wuzong is mainly known in modern times for the religious persecution that occurred during his reign...
was emperor and Li Deyu was the leading chancellor, Chen Yixing was recalled from Hua Prefecture, apparently first to serve as chief imperial censor (御史大夫, Yushi Daifu), and then again chancellor, as well Menxia Shilang (門下侍郎), the deputy head of the examination bureau of government (門下省, Menxia Sheng).
Later that year, there was an incident in which Emperor Wuzong, believing that Yang Sifu and Li Jue, whom he had stripped of chancellor posts and sent out of Chang'an because he believed that they did not support him as emperor, became further incensed by the powerful eunuch Qiu Shiliang
Qiu Shiliang
Qiu Shiliang , courtesy name Kuangmei , formally the Duke of Chu , was an eunuch official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, becoming particularly powerful after the Ganlu Incident — an event in which Emperor Wenzong tried, but failed, to seize power back from powerful eunuchs by slaughtering...
against Yang and Li Jue, as well as two eunuchs trusted by Emperor Wenzong — Liu Hongyi (劉弘逸) and Xue Jileng (薛季稜) — that he ordered Liu and Xue to commit suicide, and further sent eunuchs with orders to force Yang and Li Jue to commit suicide as well. After Du Cong
Du Cong
Du Cong , courtesy name Yongyu , formally the Duke of Bin , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving two terms as chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Wuzong and Emperor Wuzong's cousin Emperor Yizong...
pointed out to Li Deyu that it was unwise to let Emperor Wuzong to be accustomed to kill officials, Li Deyu, Chen, and fellow chancellors Cui Gong
Cui Gong
Cui Gong , formally the Duke of Anping , was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Wuzong.- Background :It is not known when Cui Gong was born...
and Cui Dan
Cui Dan
Cui Dan was an official of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty, serving as a chancellor during the reigns of Emperor Wenzong and Emperor Wenzong's brother Emperor Wuzong.- Background :It is not known when Cui Dan was born...
interceded. As a result, Yang and Li Jue were spared of their lives, but further demoted.
Chen was himself soon involved in a policy argument against Li Deyu, as Tang's long-time ally and vassal Huigu had recently been defeated by Xiajiasi, and Huigu remnants were approaching Tang borders. One major group of Huigu remnants, led by the noble Wamosi
Li Sizhong
Li Sizhong , né Wamosi , formally the Prince of Huaihua , was a general of the Chinese dynasty Tang Dynasty of Huigu ancestry, who submitted to Emperor Wuzong after the collapse of the Huigu Khanate in 840 and subsequently served the Tang imperial government.-Background:Little is known about...
, approached the Tang city of Tiande (天德, in modern Bayan Nur
Bayan Nur
Bayannur is a prefecture-level city in western Inner Mongolia. Until December 1, 2003, the area was called the Bayannur league.Bayannur city has an area of 65,788 km². It borders Mongolia to the north, Alxa to the west, Ordos to the south and Baotou to the east...
, Inner Mongolia
Inner Mongolia
Inner Mongolia is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China, located in the northern region of the country. Inner Mongolia shares an international border with the countries of Mongolia and the Russian Federation...
) and sought food aid, offering to submit to Tang. The defender of Tiande, Tian Mou (田牟), suggested that Wamosi's offer be rejected and that Tang forces attack him, along with allied Tuyuhun, Shatuo
Shatuo
The Shatuo were a Turkic tribe that heavily influenced northern Chinese politics from the late ninth century through the tenth century. They are noted for founding 3 of the 5 dynasties and 1 of the kingdoms during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period....
, and Dangxiang tribes. Li Deyu opined differently, believing that Wamosi's offer should be accepted and that food should be supplied to the Huigu remnants. Chen opposed Li Deyu, arguing that in effect, it would be aiding the enemy. Emperor Wuzong eventually agreed with Li Deyu.
In 842, after Wamosi had made a trip to Chang'an to pay homage to Emperor Wuzong, Chen was relieved of his chancellor post and made Zuo Pushe (左僕射), one of the heads of the executive bureau (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng). In 843, Chen was sent out of the capital to serve as the military governor (Jiedushi
Jiedushi
The Jiedushi were regional military governors in China during the Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. Originally set up to counter external threats, the jiedushi were given enormous power, including the ability to maintain their own armies, collect taxes, and pass their...
) of Hezhong Circuit (河中, headquartered in modern Yuncheng, Shanxi), as well as the mayor of its capital Hezhong Municipality. He was also given the honorary title of acting Sikong (司空, one of the Three Excellencies
Three Excellencies
The Three Ducal Ministers , also translated as the Three Dukes, Three Excellencies, or the Three Lords, was the collective name for the three highest officials in ancient China...
) and Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi. Troops under him subsequently participated in the campaign against the warlord Liu Zhen
Liu Zhen
Liu Zhen was the son of Liu Sheng, and the grandson of Emperor Jing of Han. According to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Zhen was granted the title of Ting Marquis of Lucheng by the Emperor Wu of Han...
, which Li Deyu was overseeing. He died in 844 and was given posthumous honors.