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Chen Gong陈宫

Archaic / OtherHistory × Fiction

A strategist under Lü Bu in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, resourceful and wise, later captured by Cao Cao and executed for refusing to surrender.

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DIRECT FIGURES
5
RELATION RECORDS
10
SOURCE WORKS
2

RELATIONSHIP COMPASS

Chen Gong, and the people around them.

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01
ALLEGIANCE

Allegiance

Rulers, appointments and allegiance

3 figures · 4 records
02
CONFLICT

Conflict

Battles, captures and defeat

2 figures · 2 records
03
THE UNSEEN

Mythic acts

Transformation, aid and divine punishment

3 figures · 4 records
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In history · Records of the Three Kingdoms

Strategist for Lü Bu, later captured by Cao Cao and killed. He persuaded Zhang Miao to welcome Lü Bu, then served as Lü Bu's strategist, and conspired with Hao Meng against Lü Bu. As Lü Bu's strategist, he advised Lü Bu to attack Cao Cao, but was captured after defeat and chose death over surrender.

In fiction · Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Chen Gong initially served as the magistrate of Zhongmu County, released Cao Cao and abandoned his post to flee with him. Later, due to Cao Cao's treachery, he left him and went to Zhang Miao, persuading him to welcome Lü Bu into Yanzhou, and became Lü Bu's strategist. He offered many plans, but most were not adopted. After Lü Bu's defeat, Chen Gong was captured, chose death over surrender, and faced death calmly.

Across source works

How this figure changes across texts

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  1. 12 profile notes
    7 relations13 verified quotations
    • Cao Cao→ slay →Chen Gong
    • Chen Gong→ follow →Cao Cao
    • Chen Gong→ release →Cao Cao
    • Chen Gong→ intercept letter →Liu Bei
    Verified original text · 13
    1. 操以棺椁盛其尸，葬于许都。

      slay · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 19

    2. 愿弃一官，从公而逃

      follow · Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 4

    11 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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  2. 6 profile notes
    5 relations6 verified quotations
    • Cao Cao→ treat family well →Chen Gong
    • Lu Bu→ strategist →Chen Gong
    • Chen Gong→ offer plan →Lu Bu
    • Chen Gong→ persuade →Zhang Miao
    Verified original text · 6
    1. 太祖召养其母终其身，嫁其女

      treat family well · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·吕布臧洪传

    2. 为布画策

      mastermind · Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·吕布张邈臧洪传

    4 more verified quotations in the relationship records below.

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History vs. fiction

Chen Gong entrusted his elderly mother after his defeat

  • attestedIn the novel, after Chen Gong was captured in defeat, he entrusted his elderly mother to Cao Cao using the principle of 'ruling the world with filial piety'. This dialogue is indeed recorded in official history.

    In Chapter 19 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, after Chen Gong was captured, Cao Cao asked about his mother and wife. Chen Gong replied: 'I have heard that one who rules the world with filial piety does not harm the relatives of others, and one who practices benevolent governance does not cut off the sacrifices of others. The fate of my mother and wife lies with you, my lord.' This is not only literary creation but also real history. In Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Wei, Biographies of Lü Bu, Zhang Miao, and Zang Hong, it is recorded that Cao Cao asked, 'Do you want to spare your mother and daughter?' Chen Gong then answered, 'I have heard that one who rules with filial piety does not cut off the sacrifices of others.' The novel basically copied this historical dialogue verbatim, showing Chen Gong's calmness in facing death.

Relationship network

6 figures · 33 links
Chen GongChen GongCao CaoCao CaoLiu BeiLiu BeiLu BuLu BuZhang MiaoZhang MiaoHao MengHao Meng
historyliteraturedual
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Sources: Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·吕布张邈臧洪传; Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 4; Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·吕布臧洪传; Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 5; Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·武帝纪; Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 10; Records of the Three Kingdoms, 魏书·程郭董刘蒋刘传; Romance of the Three Kingdoms, ch. 11

This page was extracted from classical texts with AI assistance and revised; errors remain possible. Spotted a mistake? Tell us →

Compiled with AI assistance from public-domain texts; for cultural reference. Mythological accounts vary — corrections welcome.