Duke Zhuang of Chen

Duke Zhuang of Chen (Chinese: 陳莊公; pinyin: Chén Zhuāng Gōng; reigned 699 BC – died 693 BC) was the fifteenth ruler of the ancient Chinese state of Chen during the Spring and Autumn period. His ancestral surname was Gui, given name Lin (林), and Zhuang (莊) was his posthumous name.^[1]

Duke Zhuang of Chen 陳莊公
15th ruler of Chen
Reign	699–693 BC
Predecessor	Duke Li of Chen
Successor	Duke Xuan of Chen
Died	693 BC
Father	Duke Huan of Chen

Lin was a middle son of Duke Huan of Chen, whose brother Chen Tuo murdered Lin's eldest brother Crown Prince Mian and usurped the throne in 707 BC. The army of the neighbouring State of Cai killed Chen Tuo in 706 BC and installed Duke Li of Chen, another brother of Lin, on the throne.^[1]

Duke Li reigned for seven years and died in 700 BC. However, it was his younger brother Lin (Duke Zhuang) who succeeded him, instead of his son Chen Wan.^[1]

In 698 BC, Chen joined the armies of Song, Qi, Cai, and Wey to attack the State of Zheng. Song led the attack, to avenge an earlier attack on Song by Zheng. The allied forces burned the Qu gate of the Zheng capital and entered the city.^[2] In 697 and 696 BC, Chen and other states attacked Zheng two more times.^[3]

Duke Zhuang died in 693 BC, after a reign of seven years. He was also succeeded by his younger brother, Chujiu, who was known as Duke Xuan of Chen.^[1]

References

1. Han 2010, pp. 2783–4.
2. Yang 2009, p. 139–140.
3. Yang 2009, p. 142–5.

Bibliography

• Han, Zhaoqi, ed. (2010). "Houses of Chen and Qi". Shiji 史记 (in Chinese). Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company. ISBN 978-7-101-07272-3.
• Yang, Bojun, ed. (2009). 春秋左传注 [Annotated Chunqiu Zuozhuan] (in Chinese) (3rd revised ed.). Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company. ISBN 978-7-101-07074-3.