Chen Yu (陳餘) | 24 Histories

Overview

Chen Yu was an A commander sent by Chen She to seize Zhao territory.

Life and dates

Death

BC 204 漢三年
Beheaded · At banks of the Zhi River 泜水上
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 202
BC 204 漢破趙井陘
Beheaded · At Zhi River 泜水
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 164
Violent
Directly stated · Book of Liang 14, passage 252

Attested activity

BC 206 漢元年二月
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 177, 179
BC 204 Battle of Jingxing
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 48, passage 205
BC 209 二世元年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 48, passages 7, 55
c. BC 204 凶終
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 14, passage 252
BC 209 北略趙地
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 39
BC 209 to BC 204 張耳、陳餘始居約時
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 272, 274-275

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BC 209 to BC 202 張耳陳餘之義
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 91
BC 204 從淮陰侯擊趙
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 10
BC 207 於是趙王歇、張耳乃得出鉅鹿
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 159
BC 208 to BC 202 昔
Strongly inferred · Book of Chen 13, passage 177
BC 205 昔成安君不守井陘之關，終屈于韓信；
Directly stated · Book of Jin 128, passage 167
BC 208 李良定常山後襲邯鄲、殺武臣
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 130, 135
BC 210 to BC 204 楚漢之際
Directly stated · Book of Chen 19, passage 197
BC 204 漢三年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 202
BC 205 漢二年
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 197-198
BC 204 漢破趙井陘
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 41, passage 164
BC 225 秦滅魏
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 41, passage 11
BC 208 to BC 204 秦漢之際
Strongly inferred · Book of Later Han 30, passage 68
c. BC 204 窮交
Dated from the passage context · Book of Liang 14, passage 238
BC 206 to BC 205 趙將陳餘
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 94, passages 37-38
BC 207 鉅鹿之圍與鉅鹿之戰
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 138, 141, 145, 151
BC 209 陳涉起
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 41, passage 17
BC 209 陳涉起蘄
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 23-24
BC 209 陳王起蘄，至陳而王
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 73, 82
BC 225 to BC 209 陳餘者，亦大梁人也
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 10, 13, 15
BC 206 項羽分封諸侯時陳餘不得王
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 42, passage 66

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Spouse of Wife of Chen Yu (公乘氏女)
given in marriage 妻 · Marriage
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 11
Spouse of Wife of Chen Yu (陳餘妻)
wife 妻
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 8

Kinship Role family members · Quantity unspecified household members detained by the King of Chen
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 48, passages 72, 75

Key source chapters

Career and standing

village gatekeeper 里監門
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 16
tutor 傅
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 196
Grand General 大將軍
BC 209 陳王起蘄，至陳而王 · Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 82
colonel of the left or right 左右校尉
Appointed
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 39
Grand General of Zhao 大將軍
Appointed
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 48, passages 7, 71
grand general 大將軍
Appointed
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 48

Show 12 more source-backed claims

tutor to the King of Zhao 傅趙王
BC 206 漢元年 · Held
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 196
colonel 校尉
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 74
general 將軍
Held
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 168
Zhao general 趙將
Directly stated · Book of Han 42, passage 66
marquis near Nanpi 南皮旁三縣
Enfeoffed
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 142
Received
BC 206 漢元年 · At three counties around Nanpi 南皮旁三縣 · Grantor Person Id Xiang Yu (項羽)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 180
King of Dai 代王
BC 206 漢元年 · At Dai 代 · Received · Grantor Person Id Zhao Xie (趙歇)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 195
King of Dai 代王
BC 206 漢元年 · Enfeoffed · Grantor Person Id Zhao Xie (趙歇)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 195
marquis 侯
BC 206 漢元年 · Held
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 181
Entered
Resentful withdrawal
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 171, 173-174
Bounty posted
Wanted · Quantity five hundred gold pieces 五百金 · Polity Qin 秦
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 15
King of Dai 代王
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 158

Places and affiliations

BC 206 漢元年
Polity Dai 代 · Relation Ruled
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 195
BC 205 漢二年
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Allied with
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 200
BC 205 漢二年
Polity Han 漢 · Relation Broke with
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 201
BC 205 漢二年
Polity Zhao 趙 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 198, 200
Zhao campaign 略趙地
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 1, passage 527
Polity Qin 秦 · Relation Fugitive from
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 15-16

Show 15 more source-backed claims

Polity Zhao 趙 · Relation Active in
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 10
Polity Zhao 趙 · Relation Held state
Strongly inferred · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 275
Polity Zhao 趙 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 82, 130, 145, 159, 179
Polity Zhao 趙 · Relation Sojourned in
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 10
Polity Zhao · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 48
At Daliang 大梁
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 7; Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 10
BC 206 漢元年
At Nanpi 南皮 · Relation Resided in
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 180
BC 204 漢三年
At Zhi River 泜水 · Relation Died at
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 202
BC 209 陳王起蘄，至陳而王
At Handan 邯鄲 · Relation Traveled to
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 73
At Changshan 常山 · Relation Recruited in
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 138
At Chen 陳 · Relation Fled to
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 16
At Julu 鉅鹿 · Relation Encamped north of
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 138
At Kuxing 苦陘 · Relation Traveled to
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 10
At marshes along the river 河上澤中 · Relation Sojourned in
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 173
At Nanpi 南皮 · Relation Resided in
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 142

Learning and skills

Subject Confucian learning 儒術
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 10
Belief classical Confucian learning 儒術 · Relation Adherent of
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 7
Belief Confucian learning 儒術 · Relation Adherent of
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 10

Works and attributed material

Petition · Subject of petition · Addressed to Xiang Yu (項羽) · Direct quotation · Extent s0179
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 179
Message · Author · With Xia Yue (夏說) · Addressed to Tian Rong (田榮) · Direct quotation · Extent s0182, s0183
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 182-183
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Zhang Er (張耳) · Direct quotation · Extent s0160
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 160
Speech · Speaker · Addressed to Zhang Er (張耳) · Direct quotation · Extent s0162, s0163
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 162-163
Council speech · Co speaker · Topic Zhao strategy toward Qin, Chu, and Yan · Co Speaker Person Ids Wu Chen (武臣), Zhang Er (張耳), Zhao Sao (召騷)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 48, passages 76-81
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation · Extent s0181
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 181

Show 10 more source-backed claims

Counsel · Speaker · With Chen She (陳涉) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 28-35
Memorial · Speaker · With Chen She (陳涉) · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 37-38
Speech · Speaker · With Chen She (陳涉)
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passages 20-24
Speech · Author · Direct quotation · With Zhang Er (張耳)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 145-147
Speech · Speaker · With Zhang Er (張耳)
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passages 125-126
Speech · Speaker · With Wu Chen (武臣) · Direct quotation · Mode quotation Speaker Chen Yu (陳餘)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 75-80, 88-91
Speech · Speaker · With Wu Chen (武臣)
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passages 43-46
Speech · Author · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 149-150
Speech · Speaker · Direct quotation
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 198
Speech · Speaker
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passages 111-112, 144, 161

Events and relationships

Attacked Zhang Er King of Changshan
Military · Attacker
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 148
Attacked
BC 206 漢元年 · Military · Attacker · With Zhang Er (張耳) · At Changshan 常山
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 185
Beheaded
BC 204 漢三年 · Military · Casualty
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 202
Campaigned north
BC 209 陳王起蘄，至陳而王 · Military · Companion · With Wu Chen (武臣)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 94
Captured by
Military · Captive · With Zhang Cang (張蒼)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 10
Defeated Li Liang
Military · Commander · With Li Liang (李良)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 135

Show 33 more source-backed claims

Defected from Han after learning Zhang Er lived
BC 205 漢二年 · Political · Principal · With Zhang Er (張耳)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 201
Defended himself
Political · Accused · With Zhang Er (張耳)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 160, 162
Demanded Zhang Er be killed
BC 205 漢二年 · Diplomatic · Respondent · With Zhang Er (張耳)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 198
Did not enter the Pass
Military · Absentee · With Xiang Yu (項羽)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 180
Drove out
Military · Attacker · With Zhang Er (張耳) · At Changshan 常山
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 9
Escaped Handan
Escape · Agent · With Zhang Er (張耳)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 130
Failed to guard Jingxing
Military · Defender · Outcome Submitted to Han Xin · With Han Xin (韓信) · Date BC 205
Directly stated · Book of Jin 128, passage 167
Flogged by village official
Legal · Victim
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 18
Gathered Changshan troops and encamped north of Julu
Military · Commander
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 138
Lived in humble straits with Zhang Er and pledged faith unto death
Political · Principal · With Zhang Er (張耳) · Mode historian-judgment Source Person Id The Grand Historian (太史公)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 274
Offered seal
Political · Donor · With Zhang Er (張耳)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 164
Once they held states they contended for power and destroyed each other
Political · Principal · With Zhang Er (張耳) · Mode historian-judgment Source Person Id The Grand Historian (太史公)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 275
Presented himself
Political · Visitor · With Chen She (陳涉)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 24
Rebelled in Zhao with Tian Rong aid
Military · Rebel leader · With Tian Rong (田榮)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 94, passage 38
Recovered Zhao
BC 206 漢元年 · Military · Victor · With Zhao Xie (趙歇)
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 194
Refused to advance against Qin, judging his troops too few
Military · Commander
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 141
Relief forces from Yan, Qi, and Chu encamped nearby and did not dare attack Qin
Military · Commander
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 152-153
Remained in Zhao
BC 206 漢元年 · Political · Regent tutor · Negated departure true
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 196
Requested picked troops to take Zhao
Military · Petitioner
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 38
Requested troops
BC 206 漢元年 · Diplomatic · Principal · With Tian Rong (田榮) · At Nanpi 南皮
Dated from the passage context · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 182-183
Sent Zhang Yan and Chen Ze with five thousand men to probe Qin; they were annihilated
Military · Commander · With Zhang Yan (張黶)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 151
Sent troops to aid Han
BC 205 漢二年 · Military · Commander
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 200
Withdrew to hunt and fish
Personal · Subject · At marshes along the river 河上澤中
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 173
Relation Resented · Person Xiang Yu (項羽)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 94, passage 37
Relation Ally of · Person Tian Rong (田榮)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 94, passage 38
Relation Pledged faith unto death with · Person Zhang Er (張耳) · Mode historian-judgment Source Person Id The Grand Historian (太史公)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 274
Relation Ally then rival of · Person Zhang Er (張耳)
Directly stated · Old History of the Five Dynasties 15, passage 91
Relation Served as son toward · Person Zhang Er (張耳)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 12
Relation Sworn friend of · Person Zhang Er (張耳)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 12
Relation Treated as father · Person Zhang Er (張耳)
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 9
Relation Subordinate commander of · Person Chen Ze (陳澤)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 160
Relation Counselor of · Person Wu Chen (武臣)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 75, 88
Relation Subordinate commander of · Person Zhang Yan (張黶)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 160

Assessments and attributes

Assessment called a worthy man by transmitted tradition · Mode historian-judgment Source Person Id The Grand Historian (太史公)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 272
Assessment formerly stood with Zhang Er as close as nearest kin, then turned to mutual slaughter · With Zhang Er (張耳) · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Chen 13, passage 177
Assessment friendship ended in mutual destruction · Mode named-source-report Speaker Wang Dan (王丹)
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 30, passage 68
Assessment judged that a joint death would be like throwing meat to a starving tiger · Mode self-report
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 145, 147
Assessment no ordinary man · Mode named-source-report Source Person Id Wealthy man of the Gongcheng clan (公乘氏)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 11
Assessment wanted to divide Zhao and become king; hoped Yan would kill Wu Chen · Mode allegation Speaker Zhao camp servant (趙養卒)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 108, 111, 113

Show 4 more source-backed claims

Assessment worthy man (賢人) · Mode quotation Speaker Yan general (燕將)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 105
Assessment worthy · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 213
Item seal and ribbon of office 印綬 · Relation Relinquished · With Zhang Er (張耳)
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 164, 170
Item seal and sash 印綬 · Relation Relinquished · With Zhang Er (張耳)
Directly stated · Book of Han 41, passage 127

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Book of Later Han 30, passage 68; Records of the Grand Historian 89, passages 10, 73, 159, 272; Records of the Grand Historian 96, passage 9
younger than Zhang Er
Field relative-age
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 12
did not go to his kingdom of Dai because the King of Zhao was weak and the state newly settled
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 196
Changed name and surname
Directly stated · Records of the Grand Historian 89, passage 16

References in the histories

Search passages

History

132 passages

Book of Chen, Chapter 13Volume 13: Xu Shipu; Lu Xida; Zhou Fu; Xun Lang; Zhou Jiong · 1 passage

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昔張耳、陳餘自同於至戚，周敷、周迪亦誓等暱親，尋鋒刃而誅殘，斯甚夫胡越矣。 Once Zhang Er and Chen Yu stood as close as kin; Zhou Fu and Zhou Di swore the same kind of bond—yet they soon drew blades on each other, a breach worse than between Hu and Yue.

Book of Chen, Chapter 19Volume 19: Shen Jiong; Yu Li; Ma Shu · 1 passage

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至於師老力屈，懼誅利賞，必有韓、智晉陽之謀，張、陳井陘之勢。 When the army is old and strength spent, fearing punishment and coveting reward, there must be Han and Zhi's schemes at Jinyang, Zhang and Chen's momentum at Jingxing Pass.

Book of Han, Chapter 1Volume 1: Annals of Emperor Gaozu 1 · 4 passages

Open chapter

秦二世元年秋七月，陳涉起蘄，至陳，自立為楚王，遣武臣、張耳、陳餘略趙地。 In the first year of the Second Emperor of Qin, in autumn, in the seventh month, Chen She rose at Qi. He reached Chen, set himself up as King of Chu, and sent Wu Chen, Zhang Er, and Chen Yu to seize the territory of Zhao.

陳餘亦怨羽獨不王己，從田榮藉助兵，以擊常山王張耳。 Chen Yu also resented that Xiang Yu had not made him a king. He borrowed troops from Tian Rong and attacked Zhang Er, King of Changshan.

陳餘迎代王歇還趙，歇立餘為代王。 Chen Yu welcomed King Dai Xie back to Zhao. Xie established Yu as King of Dai.

三年冬十月，韓信、張耳東下井陘擊趙，斬陳餘，獲趙王歇。 In winter, in the tenth month of the third year, Han Xin and Zhang Er advanced east through Jingxing to attack Zhao, killed Chen Yu, and captured Xie, King of Zhao.

Book of Han, Chapter 41Volume 32: Zhang Er and Chen Yu · 55 passages

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張耳、陳餘 Zhang Er and Chen Yu.

陳餘，亦大梁人，好儒術。 Chen Yu, also from Daliang, was devoted to classical learning.

餘年少，父事耳，相與為刎頸交。 Though younger, Chen Yu treated Zhang Er like a father, and the two became sworn friends willing to die for each other.

秦滅魏，購求耳千金，餘五百金。 After Qin conquered Wei, bounties were posted: one thousand jin for Zhang Er and five hundred for Chen Yu.

吏嘗以過笞餘，餘欲起，耳攝使受笞。 Once an official flogged Chen Yu over a minor offense. Chen Yu wanted to rise up against him, but Zhang Er held him back and made him take the beating.

餘謝罪。 Chen Yu apologized.

陳涉起蘄至陳，耳、餘上謁涉。 When Chen She's uprising reached Chen, Zhang Er and Chen Yu came to pay their respects.

涉及左右生平數聞耳、餘賢，見，大喜。 Chen She and his aides had long heard of their reputation; when he met them, he was delighted.

耳、餘復說陳王曰：「大王興梁、楚，務在入關，未及收河北也。 "Zhang Er and Chen Yu again advised him that Hebei was still unsecured and his priority remained entering the passes.

於是陳王許之，以所善陳人武臣為將軍，耳、餘為左右校尉，與卒三千人，從白馬渡河。 The King of Chen agreed. He appointed his trusted fellow townsman Wu Chen as general, made Zhang Er and Chen Yu left and right commandants, and gave them three thousand soldiers to cross the Yellow River at Baima.

下趙十餘城，餘皆城守莫肯下。 They captured over ten Zhao cities, while the rest held behind their walls.

趙地聞之，不戰下者三十餘城。 After news spread, more than thirty Zhao cities surrendered without fighting.

至邯鄲，耳、餘聞周章軍入關，至戲卻； At Handan, Zhang Er and Chen Yu heard that Zhou Zhang had entered the passes but been repulsed at Xi.

以餘為大將軍，耳為丞相。 He appointed Chen Yu grand general and Zhang Er chancellor.

耳、餘說武臣曰：「王王趙，非楚意，特以計賀王。 Zhang Er and Chen Yu persuaded Wu Chen, saying: "Your Majesty's kingship in Zhao is not Chu's true intention; Chu only congratulates Your Majesty as a tactic.

趙王乃與陳、餘北略地燕界。 The Zhao king then moved north with Chen Yu to secure territory on Yan's frontier.

耳、餘患之。 Zhang Er and Chen Yu were deeply troubled.

曰：「君知張耳、陳餘何如人也？」 The soldier said, "Do you know what sort of men Zhang Er and Chen Yu are?"

夫武臣、張耳、陳餘，杖馬箠下趙數十城，亦各欲南面而王。 Wu Chen, Zhang Er, and Chen Yu had taken dozens of cities by force, and each had ambitions to rule.

趙人多為耳、餘耳目者，故得脫出。 Because many locals informed for Zhang Er and Chen Yu, they managed to escape.

客有說耳、餘曰：「兩君羈旅，而欲附趙，難可獨立； A retainer said to them, "You two are strangers here; though you wish to attach yourselves to Zhao, you can hardly stand on your own;

李良進兵擊餘，餘敗良。 Li Liang advanced and attacked Chen Yu, but Chen Yu defeated him.

餘北收常山兵，得數萬人，軍鉅鹿北。 Chen Yu gathered Changshan troops in the north, gained tens of thousands, and camped north of Julu.

鉅鹿城中食盡，耳數使人召餘，餘自度兵少，不能敵秦，不敢前。 When food in Julu was exhausted, Zhang Er repeatedly sent men to summon Chen Yu. Chen Yu measured his own troops, judged them too few to withstand Qin, and did not dare advance.

數月，耳大怒，怨餘，使張黶、陳釋往讓餘曰：「始吾與公為刎頸交，今王與耳旦暮死，而公擁兵數萬，不肯相救，相不赴奏俱死？ After months, Zhang Er was furious and sent Zhang Yan and Chen Shi to reproach Chen Yu, saying, "We swore we would die for each other. Now the king and I face death at any moment, yet you sit with tens of thousands of troops and refuse to come to our aid — will you not come and die with us?

餘曰：「所以不俱死，欲為趙王、張君報秦。 "Chen Yu replied that he was not dying with them because he still wished to avenge Zhao and Zhang against Qin.

餘曰：「吾顧以無益。」 "Chen Yu answered that he saw no benefit in that."

張敖亦北收代，得萬餘人來，皆壁餘旁。 Zhang Ao also gathered over ten thousand in Dai and arrived, all camping beside Chen Yu.

與餘相見，責讓餘，問張黶、陳釋所在。 When they met Chen Yu, they reproached him and asked where Zhang Yan and Chen Shi were.

餘曰：「黶、釋以必死責臣，臣使將五千人先嘗秦軍，皆沒。」 "Chen Yu said they had demanded certain death, so he sent them with five thousand men to test Qin first, and all perished."

耳不信，以為殺之，數問餘。 Zhang Er did not believe him and thought Chen Yu had killed them, questioning him repeatedly.

餘怒曰：「不意君之望臣深也！ Chen Yu angrily replied, “I did not expect you to distrust me so deeply!

餘起如廁，客有說耳曰：「天予不取，反受其咎。 Zhang Er did not dare accept. While Chen Yu stepped out to the privy, a retainer persuaded Zhang Er, saying: "If Heaven gives and one does not take, one instead receives its blame.

今陳將軍與君印綬，不受，反天不祥。 Now General Chen gives you the seal and sash. Not accepting them opposes Heaven and is inauspicious.

耳乃佩其印，收其麾下。 Zhang Er then wore the seal and took over Chen Yu's troops.

餘還，亦望耳不讓，趨出。 When Chen Yu returned and saw Zhang Er had not yielded, he withdrew in anger.

餘獨與麾下數百人之河上澤中漁獵。 Chen Yu remained only with a few hundred followers, fishing and hunting in marshes by the river.

餘客多說項羽：「陳餘、張耳一體有功於趙。」 Many of Chen Yu's followers persuaded Xiang Yu, saying: "Chen Yu and Zhang Er were one body and had merit in Zhao."

羽以餘不從入關，聞其在南皮，即以南皮旁三縣封之。 Because Chen Yu had not entered the passes, Xiang Yu only granted him three counties near Nanpi when he heard he was there.

耳之國，餘愈怒曰：「耳與餘功等也，今耳王，餘獨侯。」 When Zhang Er took his kingdom, Chen Yu grew even angrier and said, "Zhang Er and I rendered equal service, yet he is king while I am only a marquis."

及齊王田榮叛楚，餘乃使夏說說田榮曰：「項羽為天下宰不平，盡王諸將善地，徙故王王惡地，今趙王乃居代！ When Qi's king Tian Rong rebelled against Chu, Chen Yu sent Xia Yue to persuade Tian Rong, saying: "Xiang Yu is unfair as steward of all under heaven. He made all his generals kings over good lands and moved former kings to bad lands; now the King of Zhao actually dwells in Dai!

田榮欲樹黨，乃遣兵從餘。 Tian Rong wanted to build his own faction and sent troops to aid Chen Yu.

餘悉三縣兵，襲常山王耳。 Chen Yu gathered all forces from his three counties and struck Zhang Er, King of Changshan.

餘已敗耳，皆收趙地，迎趙王於代，復為趙王。 After defeating Zhang Er, Chen Yu recovered all Zhao territory, welcomed King Xie back from Dai, and restored him as king.

趙王德餘，立以為代王。 King Xie, grateful to Chen Yu, made him King of Dai.

餘為趙王弱，國初定，留傅趙王，而使夏說以相國守代。 Chen Yu considered King Xie too weak and the state too newly settled, so he remained behind as the king's tutor and sent Xia Yue to defend Dai as chancellor.

餘曰：「漢殺張耳乃從。」 Chen Yu said, "I will join you only if Han kills Zhang Er."

於是漢求人類耳者，斬其頭遺餘，餘乃遣兵助漢。 The Han side then found a man who looked like Zhang Er, cut off his head, and sent it to Chen Yu. Only then did Chen Yu send troops to assist Han.

漢敗於彭城西，餘亦聞耳詐死，即背漢。 After Han's defeat west of Pengcheng, Chen Yu learned Zhang Er had only feigned death and therefore turned against Han.

漢遣耳與韓信擊破趙井陘，斬餘泜水上，追殺趙王歇襄國。 Han sent Zhang Er and Han Xin against Zhao. They defeated Zhao at Jingxing, killed Chen Yu by the Zhi River, and pursued King Xie to Xiangguo, where they put him to death.

趙相貫高、趙午年六十餘，故耳客也，怒曰：「吾王孱王也！」 Zhao's chancellor Guan Gao and Zhao Wu, both over sixty and former retainers of Zhang Er, grew angry and said, "Our king is a weakling!"

貫高等十餘人相謂曰：「 "Guan Gao and more than ten others then discussed the matter among themselves.

趙午等十餘人皆爭自剄，貫高獨怒罵曰：「誰令公等為之？ Zhao Wu and more than ten others all vied to cut their own throats. Guan Gao alone cursed them in anger, saying, "Who told you gentlemen to do this?

贊曰：張耳、陳餘，世所稱賢，其賓客廝役皆天下俊桀，所居國無不取卿相者。 The appraisal says: Zhang Er and Chen Yu were celebrated in their age as worthy men. Even the retainers and servants in their households were outstanding talents of the empire, and wherever they settled, men from their circle rose to be ministers and chancellors.

然耳、餘始居約時，相然信死，豈顧問哉！ Yet when Zhang Er and Chen Yu were first in hardship, they trusted each other to die for one another without a second thought.

Book of Han, Chapter 42Volume 33: Wei Bao, Tian Dan and Hán Xin (King of Han) · 2 passages

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趙將陳餘亦失職，不得王。 Chen Yu, a general of Zhao, was likewise passed over for the rank he expected and was not made king.

榮使人將兵助陳餘，令反趙地，而榮亦發兵以距擊田都，都亡走楚。 Tian Rong sent men with troops to assist Chen Yu and ordered him to recover Zhao territory. Rong himself also raised troops to attack Tian Du, and Du fled to Chu.

Book of Han, Chapter 48Volume 39: Xiao He and Cao Shen · 1 passage

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韓信與故常山王張耳引兵下井陘，擊成安君陳餘，而令參還圍趙別將戚公於鄔城中。 While Han Xin and Zhang Er drove through Jingxing against Chen Yu, Cao Shen was sent back to bottle up Zhao’s general Qi in Wu.

Book of Han, Chapter 51Volume 42: Zhang, Zhou, Zhao, Ren and Shentu · 2 passages

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陳餘擊走常山王張耳，耳歸漢。 Chen Yu routed Zhang Er, the King of Changshan, who then came over to Han.

從韓信擊趙，蒼得陳餘。 He followed Han Xin against Zhao and took Chen Yu prisoner.

Book of Later Han, Chapter 30Volume 27: Biographies of Xuan, Zang, Two Wangs, Du, Guo, Wu, Cheng, Zheng, Zhao · 1 passage

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張、陳兇其終，蕭，朱隙其末，故知全之者鮮矣。』 Zhang Er and Chen Yu destroyed each other; Xiao Yu and Zhu Bo fell out at the end—so few friendships stay whole."

Book of Jin, Chapter 128Volume 128 Records 28: Murong Chao · 1 passage

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昔成安君不守井陘之關，終屈于韓信； Anciently Chengan Jun did not guard the barrier of Jingxing and in the end submitted to Han Xin;

Old History of the Five Dynasties, Chapter 15Volume 15 Book of Later Liang 15: Biographies 5: Han Jian, Li Hanzhi, Feng Xingxi, Sun Dezhao, Zhao Keyu, Zhang Shensi · 1 passage

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罕之既與言患難交契，刻臂為盟，永同休戚，如張耳、陳餘之義也。 He and Yan swore blood brotherhood like Zhang Er and Chen Yu.

Book of Liang, Chapter 14Volume 14: Jiang Yan; Ren Fang · 2 passages

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是以伍員濯溉於宰嚭，張王撫翼於陳相。 So Wu Yuan was washed by Zai Pi; King Zhang spread wings under Chancellor Chen.

由是觀之，張、陳所以凶終，蕭、朱所以隙末，斷焉可知矣。 Viewed thus, why Zhang and Chen met violent ends, why Xiao and Zhu found rifts at the close—clear at a glance.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 48House of Chen She · 2 passages

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令陳人武臣、張耳、陳餘徇趙地，令汝陰人鄧宗徇九江郡。 Wu Chen, Zhang Er, and Chen Yu — all men of Chen — were ordered to subdue the Zhao territories, while Deng Zong of Ruyin was sent to pacify the Commandery of Jiujiang.

武臣到邯鄲，自立為趙王，陳餘為大將軍，張耳、召騷為左右丞相。 Wu Chen arrived at Handan and declared himself King of Zhao. Chen Yu was made Grand General, and Zhang Er and Zhao Sao became the Left and Right Chancellors.

Records of the Grand Historian, Chapter 89Biographies of Zhang Er and Chen Yu · 55 passages

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