RRefused his old friend Yuan Shu at the risk of death even when Yuan Shu held his son hostageWei 6 §76
NPraised Lü Bu's virtue at every banquet while secretly plotting with Cao CaoCh. 18 §20Ch. 19 §11
Chen Gui 陳珪
| Occupation | ROfficial · Chancellor of Pei | Faction | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appears | RN | Biography in | |
| Born | Native place | Xiapi Commandery | |
| Existence | Historical | Mentions | R7 |
Profile
Chen Gui was a man of Xiapi, the nephew of the former Grand Commandant Chen Qiu and the father of Chen Deng. He has no biography of his own in the Records and appears in the biographies of Yuan Shu, Lü Bu and Hua Tuo. As fellow descendants of families of the Three Excellencies, he and Yuan Shu had been friends since their youth, but while he was Chancellor of Pei he rejected Yuan Shu's letter trying to draw him over to his side. Records, Wei 6 §75–77Records, Wei 7 §19–20Records, Wei 29 §2
When Yuan Shu sought a marriage alliance with Lü Bu, he persuaded Lü Bu to break off the marriage, and he sent his son Chen Deng to Taizu, who raised Chen Gui's salary to fully two thousand dan. When Yuan Shu sent Zhang Xun to attack Lü Bu, he passed on his son Chen Deng's plan and split Yuan Shu's allied army apart. The Records do not give the time of his death. Records, Wei 7 §19–21 · 24
In the Romance he first appears in Chapter 16 as the father of Chen Deng, living out his old age at home, and he appears in 5 of the 120 chapters, though no chapter has his name in its title. He is portrayed as a man at Lü Bu's side who devises schemes with his son Chen Deng to bring Lü Bu down. Romance, Ch. 16 §28Romance, Ch. 17 §16Romance, Ch. 19 §11–12
In the Records
Chen Gui was a man of Xiapi, the nephew of the former Grand Commandant Chen Qiu. Yuan Shu and Chen Gui were both descendants of families of the Three Excellencies and had been friends together since their youth. Records, Wei 6 §75
While Chen Gui was Chancellor of Pei, Yuan Shu sent him a letter. It said that when Qin lost its grip on government, the one who combined wisdom and courage at last won the realm, and that now too the realm was falling apart like broken tiles; since they were old friends, if Chen Gui helped him achieve the great enterprise, he would make him his trusted right hand. Yuan Shu at the same time seized Chen Gui's second son Chen Ying, who was then in Xiapi, as a hostage under threat, determined to draw Chen Gui over. Records, Wei 6 §75–76
In his reply Chen Gui said that at the end of Qin, cruel government had flooded the realm and it had collapsed like crumbling earth, but now, though it was a declining age, there was no harsh disorder like that of the doomed Qin, and General Cao, with divine martial prowess answering the call of the times, had restored the laws and institutions. Yuan Shu, he said, ought to join forces to set the house of Han aright, yet he was secretly plotting lawless deeds; if he realized his delusion and turned back, he could still escape disaster. And he concluded that if he was being asked to flatter and attach himself for private gain, he could not do it even at the cost of his life. Records, Wei 6 §76–77
Seeking to join hands with Lü Bu, Yuan Shu asked for Lü Bu's daughter as a bride for his son, and sent the envoy Han Yin to tell Lü Bu of his plans to usurp the imperial title and to fetch the bride. Chen Gui, Chancellor of Pei, fearing that if Yuan Shu and Lü Bu were joined by marriage, Xu and Yang provinces would form an alliance and become a calamity for the state, went to Lü Bu and persuaded him. Lord Cao, he said, had received and welcomed the Son of Heaven and was assisting in the government of the state, so Lü Bu should join forces with him; if he made a marriage alliance with Yuan Shu he would earn a name for unrighteousness throughout the realm and would surely be in danger as precarious as a stack of eggs. Lü Bu called back his daughter, who was already on the road, broke off the marriage, and had Han Yin sent in fetters to be beheaded and displayed in the marketplace of Xu County. Records, Wei 7 §19–20
Chen Gui wished to send his son Chen Deng to Taizu, but Lü Bu would not let him go until an envoy arrived and appointed Lü Bu General of the Left, whereupon, greatly pleased, he consented. When Chen Deng met Taizu and advised that Lü Bu should be dealt with early, Taizu at once raised Chen Gui's salary to fully two thousand dan and made Chen Deng Administrator of Guangling. When Chen Deng returned, Lü Bu was enraged, saying, 'Your father urged me to join forces with Lord Cao and break off the marriage with Gonglu, yet I have obtained not one thing I asked for, while you, father and son, have both risen to high positions.' Records, Wei 7 §20–22
Yuan Shu, enraged, joined forces with Han Xian, Yang Feng and others and sent his chief general Zhang Xun to attack Lü Bu. When Lü Bu asked Chen Gui what to do, saying it was because of him that Yuan Shu's army had been brought on, Chen Gui said that Han Xian, Yang Feng and Yuan Shu were a hastily assembled army with no plans settled in advance, so they would not hold together for long. By his son Chen Deng's reckoning they were like chickens tied together that could not perch on the same roost, so they could be split apart. When Lü Bu, following Chen Gui's plan, sent men to promise Han Xian and Yang Feng all the army's supplies, the two went over to him, and Zhang Xun was badly defeated. Records, Wei 7 §24
According to the biography of Hua Tuo, Chen Gui, Chancellor of Pei, recommended Hua Tuo as Filial and Incorrupt, and the Grand Commandant Huang Wan also summoned him, but Hua Tuo took up neither. When and how Chen Gui died is not recorded in the Records. Records, Wei 29 §2Records, Wei 6 §75–77Records, Wei 7 §19–24
In the Romance
In Chapter 16 of the Romance, when the music sounds as Lü Bu sends his daughter off to Yuan Shu, Chen Gui, the father of Chen Deng, who has been living out his old age at home, says that this is a scheme to keep a distant party from coming between close ones, and that Liu Bei is in danger. Supported in his sickness, he goes to see Lü Bu and says, 'I hear the general's day of death has come, so I have come to offer condolences.' He persuades Lü Bu that Yuan Shu means to take his daughter as a hostage and then attack Liu Bei and seize Xiaopei, and that if Yuan Shu proclaims himself emperor, Lü Bu will become a relative of a rebel and the realm will not tolerate him. Romance, Ch. 16 §27–29
Lü Bu, saying that Chen Gong has misled him, sends Zhang Liao to take his daughter back from 30 li away and confines Han Yin. Chen Gui again urges him to send Han Yin under escort to Xudu, but Lü Bu hesitates. Later Lü Bu has Chen Deng escort Han Yin to Xudu, and Cao Cao memorializes the throne to grant Chen Gui a salary of fully two thousand dan and makes Chen Deng Administrator of Guangling. When Chen Deng returns, Lü Bu is enraged, saying, 'Your father told me to cooperate with Lord Cao and break off the marriage with Gonglu, yet only you, father and son, have both become exalted.' Romance, Ch. 16 §29–30 · 59–61
In Chapter 17, when Yuan Shu attacks along seven routes, Chen Gong says the calamity of Xu Province was brought on by Chen Gui and his son and proposes beheading the two and offering their heads to Yuan Shu, and Lü Bu orders Chen Gui and Chen Deng seized. After Yuan Shu is driven off by Chen Deng's plan, when Lü Bu wants to keep Han Xian and Yang Feng in Xu Province, Chen Gui says that if the two are given Shandong, within a year all the walled cities of Shandong will belong to the general, and has the two generals stationed at Yidu and Langya. When Chen Deng asks him privately why he did not keep the two in Xu Province as the root for killing Lü Bu, Chen Gui answers that if the two were to help Lü Bu, it would be like adding claws and fangs to a tiger, and Chen Deng is won over by his father's lofty insight. Romance, Ch. 17 §5–6 · 15–16
In the same chapter, Cao Cao secretly tells Liu Bei to consult with Chen Gui and his son so as to make no mistakes. In Chapter 18, Chen Gui and his son lavishly praise Lü Bu's virtue at every banquet, and when Chen Gong tells Lü Bu to be on guard because their true intentions cannot be fathomed, Lü Bu instead rebukes Chen Gong. Romance, Ch. 17 §32Romance, Ch. 18 §20
In Chapter 19, when Lü Bu goes with Chen Deng to relieve Xiaopei and leaves Chen Gui to hold Xu Province, Chen Gui says that since Lord Cao entrusted the affairs of the east to Chen Deng, they should now move against Lü Bu. Chen Deng tells him that if Lü Bu returns in defeat, he should hold the city together with Mi Zhu and not let him in. When Lü Bu, arriving below the walls of Xu Province, asks where Chen Gui is, Mi Zhu answers that he has already killed him, but later Chen Gui and his son pay their respects to Cao Cao. At a banquet Cao Cao seats Chen Gui on his right, and in recognition of the merit of Chen Gui and his son adds the revenue of ten counties to their emolument. Romance, Ch. 19 §11–12 · 16–17 · 22
In Chapter 21, when Che Zhou, Inspector of Xu Province, summons Chen Deng to discuss a plot to kill Liu Bei, Chen Deng returns and tells his father everything, and Chen Gui has Chen Deng go ahead and warn Liu Bei. Romance, Ch. 21 §42–43
Where the Romance differs
His position: In Chapter 16 of the Romance, Chen Gui is living out his old age at home when he goes, sick as he is, to see Lü Bu. In the Records, Chen Gui was at this time Chancellor of Pei, and it was as Chancellor of Pei that he went to Lü Bu to persuade him. Romance, Ch. 16 §28Records, Wei 6 §75Records, Wei 7 §19
Friendship with Yuan Shu: In the Records, Chen Gui had been Yuan Shu's friend since their youth, and when Yuan Shu seized his second son Chen Ying as a hostage to draw him over, he refused in a reply letter. The Romance has neither this letter nor the matter of Chen Ying. Records, Wei 6 §75–77Romance, Ch. 16 §28–29
The words that broke off the marriage: In Chapter 16 of the Romance, Chen Gui says that Yuan Shu means to use Lü Bu's daughter as a hostage, attack Liu Bei and seize Xiaopei, and that Liu Bei is in danger. In the Records, Chen Gui feared that Xu and Yang provinces would form an alliance and become a calamity for the state, and persuaded Lü Bu that he should join forces with Lord Cao. There are no words of concern for Liu Bei. Romance, Ch. 16 §28–29Records, Wei 7 §19–20
The handling of Han Yin: In Chapter 16 of the Romance, Chen Gui urges that Han Yin be sent under escort to Xudu but Lü Bu hesitates, and later, when Chen Deng escorts Han Yin there, Cao Cao beheads him. In the Records, Lü Bu, in breaking off the marriage, had Han Yin sent in fetters to be beheaded and displayed in the marketplace of Xu County. Romance, Ch. 16 §30 · 59Records, Wei 7 §20
The plan that defeated Zhang Xun: In Chapter 17 of the Romance, Chen Gong proposes beheading Chen Gui and his son, and Chen Deng steps forward and offers a plan. In the Records, when Lü Bu blamed Chen Gui and asked his advice, Chen Gui passed on his son Chen Deng's plan of the 'tied chickens' and split Han Xian and Yang Feng away. Romance, Ch. 17 §6–7Records, Wei 7 §24
Stationing Han Xian and Yang Feng: In Chapter 17 of the Romance, Chen Gui has Han Xian and Yang Feng placed at Yidu and Langya, and tells Chen Deng that he feared they would help Lü Bu. The records of Chen Gui in the Records have nothing of this. Romance, Ch. 17 §16Records, Wei 6 §75–77Records, Wei 7 §19–24
Handing over Xu Province and his reward: In Chapter 19 of the Romance, Chen Gui holds Xu Province and with Mi Zhu keeps Lü Bu out of the city, and receives from Cao Cao an additional emolument of ten counties. The biography of Lü Bu in the Records has no such deeds of Chen Gui; Lü Bu was captured after being besieged for three months, when his generals tied up Chen Gong and surrendered. What Chen Gui received in the Records was the salary of fully two thousand dan that Taizu raised for him when he made Chen Deng Administrator of Guangling. Romance, Ch. 19 §11 · 16–17 · 22Records, Wei 7 §21 · 25–26
Recommending Hua Tuo: In the biography of Hua Tuo in the Records, Chen Gui, Chancellor of Pei, recommended Hua Tuo as Filial and Incorrupt. In Chapter 15 of the Romance, Hua Tuo first appears through Yu Fan's introduction, and there is nothing about Chen Gui recommending him. Records, Wei 29 §2Romance, Ch. 15 §67
Written by 3KDEX (not yet reviewed) — The tags at the end of each paragraph link to the exact passage in the Records volume or Romance chapter it is based on.
Abilities
The Records score (Chen Shou’s Records of the Three Kingdoms, main text) is the baseline. Each ability compares how the Romance redrew the same person, and the evidence from both sources explains the difference.
Records total567 / 1000Rank 133 of 996 · Top 14%Romance total512 / 1000Rank 92 of 1,113 · Top 9%
Romance adaptation index−55Romance total − Records total
- LEA3131±0
- STR3131±0
- INT7682+6
- POL4840−8
- CHA4542−3
- VIR8245−37
- ADP7078+8
- SCH4840−8
- DIP8078−2
- DIS5645−11
Abilities shaped by the Romance — where it differs from the Records Differences of 10 or more
RRecommended Hua Tuo as Filial and IncorruptWei 29 §2
NNo direct record — estimatedCh. 21 §43
8 similar abilities — show evidence
RNo direct record — estimated from his career as a civil official, Chancellor of PeiWei 7 §19
NNo direct record — estimated from his career as a civil officialCh. 16 §28
RNo direct record — estimated from his career as a civil officialWei 7 §19
NNo direct record — estimated from his being a sick, elderly civil officialCh. 16 §28
RForesaw the danger of an alliance between Yuan Shu and Lü Bu, and pinpointed the weakness of the allied armyWei 7 §19Wei 7 §24
NSaw through Yuan Shu's marriage proposal as a scheme to attack Liu Bei, showing lofty insightCh. 16 §28Ch. 17 §16
RNo direct record — estimated from his post as Chancellor of PeiWei 6 §75
NNo direct record — estimated from his holding Xu ProvinceCh. 19 §11
RNo direct record — estimated from his overall conductWei 7 §20
NNo direct record — estimated from his overall conductCh. 18 §20
RUnder Lü Bu, sent his son to Taizu and had his salary raised to fully two thousand danWei 7 §20
NForesaw Lü Bu's downfall, sided with Cao Cao and had his merit recognizedCh. 19 §11Ch. 19 §22
RNo direct record — estimated from his descent from a family of the Three ExcellenciesWei 6 §75
NNo direct record — estimatedCh. 16 §28
RPersuaded Lü Bu to break off the marriage with Yuan Shu, and admonished Yuan Shu in a reply letterWei 7 §19Wei 6 §77
NPersuaded Lü Bu, saying he had come to offer condolences on his death, to call back the marriageCh. 16 §28Ch. 16 §30
Records Romance Unverified No direct record; scored from their actions (evidence grade C)
3KDEX scoring — the Records use the main text of Chen Shou’s Records of the Three Kingdoms; the Romance uses the 120-chapter Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Click a source tag to open that passage in the reader.
Romance chapters (5)
AppearsNot present Chapter list →
Family
| Children | Chen Deng Romance |
|---|
Based on Wikidata items for the historical and Romance figures. Relations without the Unverified badge were also confirmed in the Records.