Chen An

Chen An (died 323) was a military general and warlord of the Jin dynasty (266–420) and Han Zhao during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. During the aftermath of the Disaster of Yongjia that plagued northern China, Chen An became a favoured general of the Jin prince Sima Bao in Qinzhou. An assassination attempt on him in 315 prompted Chen An to set himself up as a warlord in Longcheng (隴城, in modern Qin'an County, Gansu). He submitted to Han Zhao in 319 but following a misunderstanding between him and Liu Yao, Chen An rebelled in 322, declaring himself King of Liang but was killed the following year. Chen An was well-respected among his soldiers and those living in his territory. The people of Longshang (隴上; north of present-day Shaanxi and west of present-day Gansu) dedicated an ode in his memory and the prestigious Tang dynasty poet, Li Bai, even wrote a poem based on him.

Chen An
陳安
King of Liang (涼王)
Reign322 – 323
Inspector of Qinzhou (秦州刺史)
In office
319 (319) – 322 (322)
MonarchLiu Yao
Personal details
BornUnknown
Died323
RelationsChen Ji (brother)
In this Chinese name, the family name is Chen.

Service under Sima Bao

Chen An was serving the Prince of Nanyang, Sima Mo by the time of the Disaster of Yongjia in 311. As the disaster broke out, Sima Mo was captured and killed by Han Zhao forces, and Chen An decided to flee to his son, Sima Bao, who was the Inspector of Qinzhou at the time. During his time with Sima Bao, Chen An led a campaign suppressing the rebelling Qiang tribes in Qinzhou, and for this, Sima Bao showed him great courtesy and respect.[1]

Chen An's special treatment was not well-received by another general of Sima Bao, Zhang Chun (張春). In 315, Zhang slandered Chen An and convinced Sima Bao that he would rebel at any given time. Although they were in agreement, Sima Bao could not bring himself to execute Chen An, so Zhang Chun took matters in his own hands. He sent an assassin to kill Chen An, but Chen was only wounded by the assassin's blade before he rode away to Longcheng. There, Chen An made himself an independent warlord, but he did send a messenger informing Sima Bao that he would continuously send tribute to him.[2]

As a warlord and submission to Han Zhao

The Jin government in Chang'an fell to Han Zhao forces and Emperor Min of Jin was held captive in 316. In early 317, Former Liang forces led by Han Pu were preparing to launch a counter-attack against Han, and Chen An involved himself to serve as a vanguard. The attack never took place, as Han Pu's forces met with difficulties in marching into Han territory.[3]

Shortly after, Chen An sided himself with Han Zhao. He and another minor warlord named Jiao Song (焦嵩) invaded Sima Bao's territory in Longshi together with the Han general Liu Yao. Their invasion had a devastating effect, as a large portion of the Yongzhou and Qinzhou population was wiped out. Chen An and Jiao Song carried on their assault into the following year in 318, when they were now threatening Sima Bao's capital of Shanggui.[4]

In 319, fulfilling his imperial ambition, Sima Bao declared himself the Prince of Jin. In response, Chen An named himself Inspector of Qinzhou and formally submitted to both Han Zhao and Cheng Han. As Chen An encroached into Shanggui, Sima Bao fled to Nan'an (南安; southeast of present-day Longxi County, Gansu) but reinforcements from Former Liang pushed Chen An back to Mianzhu, so Sima Bao returned to his capital. Chen An threatened Shanggui again not long after but once again withdrew due to Former Liang reinforcements.[5]

Sima Bao was killed by his subordinates Yang Ci(楊次) and Zhang Chun in 320 over his disagreements (another source states he died naturally). Zhang Chun appointed a junior kinsman of Sima Bao to succeed him named Sima Zhan (司馬瞻), who was also made Grand General. Chen An petitioned to Liu Yao (now Emperor of Han Zhao) to campaign against Sima Zhan. Liu Yao made Chen An Grand General and the latter attacked and killed the newly made successor. Zhang Chun fled to Fuhan (枹罕; southwest of present-day Linxia County, Gansu) but Yang Ci was captured. Chen An beheaded Yang Ci in front of Sima Bao's coffin as a sacrifice and later buried his former lord at Shanggui. Chen An carried out funeral rites exactly to that of the Son of Heaven and posthumously named Sima Bao "Prince Yuan".[6]

Rebellion and as King of Liang

In 322, Liu Yao was returning from a campaign in Chouchi. Although somewhat a success, a plague had struck his army and Liu Yao himself was made deathly ill. While returning, Chen An requested that he meet with the emperor, but as Liu Yao was still sick, he was denied. Chen An was greatly angered at his rejection, so much so that he came to the conclusion that Liu Yao was actually dead. Before leaving to intercept the returning army, Chen An plundered the area he was in.[7]

As he reached Liu Yao, Chen An was met with Liu's general, Huyan Shi (呼延寔) at the rear. Chen An ambushed and captured him but later invited him to join his army, still thinking that Liu Yao had passed. However, Huyan Shi raised his voice at him and told him to kill him instead, causing Chen An to be enraged. Chen An had him killed and had Huyan's Chief Clerk, Lu Ping (魯憑) to serve him as Army Advisor. He then proceeded to have his brother, Chen Ji (陳集) to chase after Liu Yao but Ji was killed in a counter-attack from Huyan Yu (呼延瑜).[8]

Chen An retreated to Shanggui and had his generals subdue Qian County (汧縣; south of present-day Long County, Shaanxi). The Qiang and Di tribes of Longshang all surrendered to Chen An, expanding his troops number. Chen An then declared himself Grand Commander, Bearer of the Golden Battle-axe, Grand General, Governor of Yongzhou, Liangzhou, Qinzhou, and Lianzhou, and King of Liang. Lu Ping wept and said to Chen An, "I cannot bear to see your death!" Chen took his remark negatively and had him beheaded. Before he died, Lu Ping told him, "After you've cut off my head, hang it up in the marketplace at Shanggui, so I can watch Zhao behead Chen An in turn!" Liu Yao heard of Lu Ping's death and thought that Chen An's inability to gather talents will be his downfall.[9]

The following year in 323, Chen An besieged the Zhao general Liu Gong (劉貢) at Nan'an. He was greatly routed as enemy reinforcements led by Shi Wu (石武) arrived to assist Liu Gong. With his remaining cavalries, he fled back to Longcheng where he prepared to defend himself. In autumn, Liu Yao personally led an army to attack Longcheng while sending another to subjugate Shanggui. Chen An would usually come out and carry out attacks on the invaders but these all ended in defeat. Meanwhile, Liu Yao's general Liu Gan (劉幹) captured Pingxiang (平襄; in present-day Tianshui, Gansu) and prompted the counties of Longshang to surrender.[10]

Chen An left his generals Yang Bozhi (楊伯支) and Jiang Chong'er (姜沖兒) to defend Longcheng while he led his elite cavalry to break through and flee to Xiazhong (陜中; south of present-day Qin'an County, Gansu). As he fled, Liu Yao sent his Ping Xian (平先) to pursue him. Chen An dual wielded a great blade and a serpent spear which he used to kill many of his pursuers. He also had a bow which he used to dispatch enemy troops from a far as he fled. Ping Xian eventually caught up to him and the two dueled with one another, and in three bouts, Ping Xian managed to disarm Chen An's spear. However, night was approaching and there was a heavy downpour. Chen An used this to his advantage and slipped away into the hills with his followers.[11]

The Zhao troops carried out searches but could not find him. The next day, Chen An sent his general Shi Rong (石容) to scout on the Zhao troops. Unfortunately for him, Shi Rong was caught by the Zhao general Huyan Qingren (呼延青人). Shi Rong was interrogated and tortured but would not give away Chen An's location. In the end, he was killed, and Huyan Qingren instead used Shi Rong's traces to find Chen An. Chen An was discovered at the bend of a river gully, and was subsequently captured and beheaded on the spot.[12]

Posthumous tributes

Chen An was said to have been very close to his generals and soldiers as he would subjugate himself to the same hardships that they went through. After he was killed, the people of Longshang was saddened, and decided to compose a song in honour of his recent passing called "Ode to a Stalwart Warrior (壯士之歌)". When Liu Yao heard about this song, he grew sentimental and ordered it to be sung.[13]

Chen An was also a subject of a poem written by the 8th century Tang dynasty poet, Li Bai. In his poem, "Song of the Sima General (司馬將軍歌)", he subtitled the poem with "On Behalf of Longshang Soldier Chen An (以代隴上健兒陳安)".[14]

References
  1. (模之敗也，都尉陳安歸於保，保命統精勇千餘人以討羌，寵遇甚厚。) Book of Jin, Volume 37
  2. (保將張春等疾之，譖安有異志，請除之，保不許。春等輒伏客以刺安，安被創，馳還隴城，遣使詣保，貢獻不絕。) Book of Jin, Volume 37
  3. (遣太府司馬韓璞、滅寇將軍田齊、撫戎將軍張閬、前鋒督護陰預步騎一萬，東赴國難。命討虜將軍陳安、故太守賈騫、隴西太守吳紹各統郡兵為璞等前驅。戒璞曰：「前遣諸將多違機信，所執不同，致有乖阻。且內不和親，焉能服物！今遣禦督五將兵事，當如一體，不得令乖異之問達孤耳也。」復遺南陽王保書曰：「王室有事，不忘投軀。孤州遠域，首尾多難，是以前遣賈騫，瞻望公舉。中被符命，敕騫還軍。忽聞北地陷沒，寇逼長安，胡崧不進，麹允持金五百請救於崧，是以決遣騫等進軍度嶺。會聞朝廷傾覆，為忠不達於主，遣兵不及於難，痛慨之深，死有餘責。今更遣韓璞等，唯公命是從。」) Book of Jin, Volume 86
  4. (時焦崧、陳安寇隴石，東與劉曜相持，雍秦之人死者十八九。初，永嘉中，長安謠曰：「秦川中，血沒腕，惟有涼州倚柱觀。」至是，謠言驗矣。) Book of Jin, Volume 86
  5. (保聞湣帝崩，自稱晉王，建元，署置百官，遣使拜寔征西大將軍、儀同三司，增邑三千戶。俄而保為陳安所叛，氐羌皆應之。保窘迫，遂去上邽，遷祁山，寔遣將韓璞步騎五千赴難。陳安退保綿諸，保歸上邽。未幾，保復為安所敗，使詣寔乞師。寔遣宋毅赴之，而安退。) Book of Jin, Volume 86
  6. (是歲，保病薨，時年二十七。保體質豐偉，嘗自稱重八百斤。喜睡，痿疾，不能禦婦人。無子，張春立宗室司馬瞻奉保後。陳安舉兵攻春，春走，瞻降于安，安送詣劉曜，曜殺之。安迎保喪，以天子禮葬于上邽，諡曰元。) Book of Jin, Volume 37
  7. (陳安請朝，曜以疾篤不許。安怒，且以曜為死也，遂大掠而歸。) Book of Jin, Volume 103
  8. (曜疾甚篤，馬輿而還，使其將呼延實監輜重於後。陳安率精騎耍之於道。實奔戰無路，與長史魯憑俱沒于安。安囚實而謂之曰：「劉曜已死，子誰輔哉？孤當輿足下終定大業。」實叱安曰：「狗輩！汝荷人榮寵，處不疑之地，前背司馬保，今復如此。汝自視何如主上？憂汝不久梟首上邽通衢，何謂大業！可速殺我，懸我首於上邽東門，觀大軍之入城也。」安怒，遂殺之。以魯憑為參軍，又遣其弟集及將軍張明等率騎二萬追曜，曜衛軍呼延瑜逆戰，擊斬之，悉俘其眾。) Book of Jin, Volume 103
  9. (安懼，馳還上邽。曜至自南安。陳安使其將劉烈、趙罕襲汧城，拔之，西州氐羌悉從安。安士馬雄盛，眾十餘萬，自稱使持節、大都督、假黃鉞、大將軍、雍涼秦梁四州牧、涼王，以趙募為相國，領左長史。魯憑對安大哭曰：「吾不忍見陳安之死也。」安怒，命斬之。憑曰：「死自吾分，懸吾頭于秦州通衢，觀趙之斬陳安也。」遂殺之。曜聞憑死，悲慟曰：「賢人者，天下之望也。害賢人，是塞天下之情，夫承平之君猶不敢乖臣妾之心，況于四海乎！陳安今於招賢采哲之秋，而害君子，絕當時之望，吾知其無能為也。」) Book of Jin, Volume 103
  10. (陳安圍趙征西將軍劉貢于南安，休屠王石武自桑城引兵趣上邽以救之，與貢合擊安，大破之。安收餘騎八千，走保隴城。秋，七月，趙主曜自將圍隴城，別遣兵圍上邽。安頻出戰，輒敗。右軍將軍劉幹攻平襄，克之，隴上諸縣悉降。) Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 92
  11. (安留其將楊伯支、姜沖兒守隴城，自帥精騎突圍，出奔陜中。曜遣將軍平先等追之。安左揮七尺大刀，右運丈八蛇矛，近則刀矛俱發，輒殪五六人，遠則左右馳射而走。先亦勇捷如飛，與安搏戰，三交，遂奪其蛇矛。會日暮雨甚，安棄馬與左右匿於山中；趙兵索之，不知所在。) Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 92
  12. 明日，安遣其將石容覘趙兵，趙輔威將軍呼延青人獲之，拷問安所在，容卒不肯言，青人殺之。雨霽，青人尋其迹，獲安於澗曲，斬之。 Zizhi Tongjian, Volume 92) 明日，安遣其將石容覘趙兵，趙輔威將軍呼延青人獲之，拷問安所在，容卒不肯言，青人殺之。雨霽，青人尋其迹，獲安於澗曲，斬之。)
  13. (安善於撫接，吉凶夷險與眾同之，及其死，隴上歌之曰：「隴上壯士有陳安，驅幹雖小腹中寬，愛養將士同心肝。聶驄父馬鐵瑕鞍，七尺大刀奮如湍，丈八蛇矛左右盤，十蕩十決無當前。戰始三交失蛇矛，棄我聶驄竄嚴幽，為我外援而懸頭。西流之水東流河，一去不還奈子何！」曜聞而嘉傷，命樂府歌之。) Book of Jin, Volume 103
  14. eastasiastudent.net https://eastasiastudent.net/china/classical/li-bai-sima-jiangjun-ge/. Retrieved 2020-12-03. Missing or empty |title= (help)
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