陳邕公, Chén Yōng Gōng, 諱:邕公, 字:崇德, 號:南山, 103, 52, 15, 2

Chen Yong 陳邕 [14549] See documentation for father, Zhong(2) [14548]. — RMH

Authentic Records of Southern Chén

The first ancestor was Chén Zhōng Gōng (陳忠公). The ancestral home was in Hónggù Town (洪故), Wànnián District (万年县), Jīngzhào Prefecture (京兆府)(in today’s Ráozhōu Prefecture (饶州府) in Jiāngxī (江西). The village is called Guì Lǐ (桂里) (Osmanthus Village) because many sweet-scented osmanthus grew there. Chén Zhōng Gōng’s (陳忠公) son Yōng (邕) was a successful candidate in the highest imperial examination during the reign of Shénlóng (神龍) (dynastic title Zhōngzōng 中宗) in 705-706 C.E.

Empress Consort Wǔ (Wǔ Zétiān武則天) recalled Zhōngzōng 中宗 to the palace and when he became emperor again in 705 C.E. he designated his reign as Shénlóng (神龍). Yōng 邕 was an official and eventually became a personal tutor to the crown prince. Because he did not cooperate with Lǐ Línfǔ (李林甫) [Gene Chin’s comment: L ǐ Línfǔ was not a good minister.] he was banished to Fujian in 736 C.E. He moved to many places, including Sānshān (三山) in Fúzhōu (福州), Xīnghuà (兴化), Shètán (社坛) in Huì’ān (惠安) in Quánzhōu (泉州), and finally settled in a postroad (南驿路) in Southern Xiāng Hill (南厢山) in Zhāngzhī (漳之).

He had four sons. The first was Yízé (夷则). The second was Yíxī (夷锡). The third was Yíxíng(夷行). The fourth was Yíshí (夷实). They all passed the highest imperial examinations. During the reign of Dézōng (德宗)(780 – 804) Yízé (夷则) was an official of the rank of 金紫光祿大夫 and Yíxi (夷锡)) was an official of the rank of 諫議大夫. During the reign of Wénzōng (文宗) (827 – 840) Yíxíng (夷行) was an official of the rank of累擢工部侍郎 and 司空丞相. He kept a compendium of Tang Dynasty records. Yíshí (夷实) was an official of the rank of 屯田員外郎. His son, Táo (翿) was an official in charge of Sìbù (寺簿).

At this time, there are so many officials in the family they became suspicious of each other. Thus they built bigger houses with bell towers and spacious gardens inside.

The government official of the prefecture maliciously reported to the Emperor saying they are attempting to overthrow the Emperor. Calamity is about to strike the family. At that time, Yízé (夷则) and Yíxī (夷锡)’s posts were far away. Yíxíng (夷行) and Yíshí (夷实) were still young.

Yōng (邕) said, “There doesn’t seem to be any way out of this impending accusation. There is only one way that I can think of.”

He further said, “As the Tang people are firm believers of Buddhism, we can change our houses into temples. Donate all our wealth to the poor. In that way we can stop the slander and avoid the calamity.”

He thought, “It is better to lose all our belongings than to lose all our lives. We must write to the imperial court right now.”

Yōng (邕) had a daughter named Jīn (金) and the Emperor bestowed upon her the title Princess Jīn Huā (金花郡主) long ago. Now Jīn Huā (金花) became a Buddhist nun, whose hào (號) is Xuán Miào (玄妙). The two characters, Yōu Rán (悠然), on the temple arch were written by Princess Jīn Huā (金花郡主).

Yōng (邕) moved his whole family to Sān Dōu Hòu Shuǐ Tóu (三都后水头). He died at the age of ninety-five. He posthumously received the title of Zhōng Shùn Wáng (忠顺王) from the Emperor. His father, Zhōng Gōng (忠公) received the title of È Guó Gōng (鄂国公). Yōng (邕) was buried behind this mountain. It was named Shuǐ Hòu Dà Fū Mù (水头大夫墓).

Loose translation follows:

After the brothers of Yize went to the funeral, they had a dream to hide in Tian He. Yize and his son wrote the book, 郎儔láng chóu. In 781 C.E. about 300 people in his family moved to Jia He Dao. They built some thatch-roofed huts to live in. Now they call that place Chen Liao District. The place where they wash the horses is called Xi Ma Hang. ….They bought land from the government for 3,600,000 guàn贯 [each guàn is 1,000 cash]. Later a 薛 [Xu%C4%93] family moved to the same hamlet. The village people called South Chen and North Xue.

Because Yixing had problems with his leg he was sent to Hedong to return to one of his old jobs as司空丞相. He set up residence in Hedong.

Yishi’s son, 翿 Táo, was an official in charge of寺簿. The “family” was divided into Long Xi and North Xi. When Yize was 80 years old he created a “Monastery of Consciousness”. He had a son called俦Chóu. Chóu has three sons: 茹 Rú, 闻 Wén, and 嘉 Jiā. 茹 Rú was a scholar in Hanlin Academy. 闻 Wén was the prefectural governor of Lingzhou. 嘉 Jiā was別駕 of Lingzhou. He created宣梵院xuān fàn yuàn (Xuan monastery). 闻 Wén’s son, 丞Chéng, was Futang’s county magistrate. He had two sons: 喜 Xǐ and恭gōng. His job was … He built the福Fú monastery.

Pages 2, 3, 4, and 5 continue with each generation’s accomplishments.