Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Chen Sun is a fictional rebel military commander who appears in Luo Guanzhong’s classic 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. In strict historical reality, Chen Sun does not appear in Chen Shou’s Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi) or any authentic Eastern Han historical annals. He is an entirely fictional character created by Luo Guanzhong to serve as a dramatic foil and narrative catalyst, facilitating the martial display of Zhang Fei and enabling Liu Bei to secure the legendary warhorse Dilu Ma (Hex Mark).
In Chapter 34 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chen Sun is introduced as a former surrendering military officer serving under Liu Biao, the Governor of Jing Province. Driven by greed and regional ambition, Chen Sun collaborates with fellow rebel commander Zhang Wu to launch a major insurrection in Jiangxia Commandery. Occupying the strategic stronghold of Jiangxia, Chen Sun and Zhang Wu organizationally plunder local towns, seize state grain and wealth, enslave local civilians, and openly defy Liu Biao’s provincial government.
When Liu Bei volunteers to suppress the Jiangxia rebellion with 30,000 troops, the two opposing armies confront each other on the battlefield. During the initial clash, Zhang Wu rides out mounted on the prized warhorse Dilu Ma to duel Zhao Yun, but is slain in under three bouts of combat. Seeing Zhao Yun grab Dilu Ma’s reins to present the horse to Liu Bei, Chen Sun becomes enraged and rashly gallops out from the rebel lines to recapture the prized steed. Intercepting his charge, Zhang Fei roars like thunder and thrusts his Serpent Lance directly through Chen Sun, killing him instantly on the spot. With both supreme leaders Zhang Wu and Chen Sun slain in rapid succession, the rebel forces collapse in total panic, allowing Liu Bei to pacify Jiangxia Commandery.
In historical and literary analysis, commentators such as Mao Zonggang noted that Chen Sun and Zhang Wu were created to replace earlier historical rebels Zhang Hu and Chen Sheng due to authorial oversight in earlier drafts, establishing a seamless narrative for Liu Bei’s acquisition of Dilu Ma.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Luo Guanzhong’s Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chen Sun’s narrative arc is featured in Chapter 34 as the second-in-command of the Jiangxia rebellion alongside Zhang Wu. After witnessing Zhang Wu’s death against Zhao Yun, Chen Sun rashly charges forward to reclaim the warhorse Dilu Ma. Before he can reach Zhao Yun, Zhang Fei intercepts him and impales him with his Serpent Lance, instantly slaying him and shattering the remaining rebel army.
Chen Sun (陳孫) — Literary Timeline
Rebellion in Jiangxia Commandery
Rebels against Liu Biao alongside Zhang Wu, occupying Jiangxia Commandery and plundering local towns and grain supplies.
Battle of Jiangxia and Death
Attempts to recapture the steed Dilu Ma after Zhang Wu’s death; intercepted and slain in a single blow by Zhang Fei’s Serpent Lance.
Key Relationships
Family
- No information
Friends
- Zhang Wu (张武, Trương Vũ) — A fellow rebel commander in Jiangxia who collaborated with Chen Sun in the insurrection against Liu Biao; he was killed by Zhao Yun during the Battle of Jiangxia in 207 AD.
Enemies
- Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi) — The Shu Han general who intercepted Chen Sun during the Battle of Jiangxia in 207 AD and slew him with his Serpent Lance.
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân) — The Shu Han general who defeated and killed Zhang Wu, prompting Chen Sun’s fatal charge to reclaim the warhorse Dilu Ma.
- Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) — The warlord who led the punitive expedition to suppress the rebellion in Jiangxia, resulting in the destruction of Chen Sun’s forces.
Other
- Liu Biao (刘表, Lưu Biểu) — The Governor of Jing Province whom Chen Sun served as a military officer before betraying him to lead a rebellion in Jiangxia.
In Novel
Chapter 34
- Chen Sun (陈孙, Trần Tôn): Chen Sun is a surrendered officer who joins Zhang Wu in rebelling in Jiangxia. The two men seize territory and prey upon the local population, forcing Liu Bei to intervene on Liu Biao’s behalf. When Liu Bei’s force arrives, Zhang Wu is killed by Zhao Yun and Chen Sun immediately tries to avenge him. Zhang Fei charges Chen Sun and kills him with a spear, after which the rebel force collapses and Liu Bei pacifies the area.
In History
Summary
- Chen Sun (陈孙, Trần Tôn) is a minor figure associated with the late Eastern Han and the literary tradition surrounding the warlords of the period.
Historical Record
- The exact identification of Chen Sun under 陈孙 is not sufficiently established in the standard Three Kingdoms biographies available for this entry. The character should therefore not be given an invented biography merely from later databases or novel material.