Tomb of Chen Fan

Tomb of Chen Fan

The Tomb of Chen Fan is a cultural relic protection unit of Henan Province.

The Tomb of Chen Fan is the burial site of Chen Fan, Grand Tutor of the Eastern Han Dynasty. It is located within Chen Fan Park on the northern outskirts of Pingyu County. The tomb is 3 meters high with a diameter of 9 meters, and a granite tombstone stands in front of it. In 2008, it was designated as part of the fifth group of Provincial-Level Cultural Relics Protection Units by the People's Government of Henan Province.

Chen Fan, courtesy name Zhongju, was a native of Pingyu in Runan Commandery (present-day Pingyu County, Henan). His grandfather had once served as Prefect of Hedong Commandery. During the reign of Emperor Shun of Han, Grand Commandant Li Gu recommended Chen Fan in an official memorial, and the court appointed him as a Gentleman Consultant before promoting him to Governor of Le'an. After Emperor Shun died and Emperor Huan ascended the throne, learning that Chen Fan was an upright and capable official with broad knowledge, the new emperor appointed him as a Minister over the Masses. In the eighth year of the Yanxi era, Chen Fan was promoted to Grand Commandant. In the first year of Yongkang, Emperor Huan passed away and Empress Dowager Dou took over the regency. She issued an edict stating: “The people establish a ruler to govern them through officials, and this must be supported by virtuous aides to consolidate the imperial cause. The former Grand Commandant Chen Fan, loyal, incorruptible, upright, and perspicacious, shall serve as Grand Tutor and oversee the affairs of the Ministry over the Masses.”

Throughout his official career, Chen Fan remained clean-handed and unafraid of powerful forces. His deeds have been widely celebrated by later generations, earning him the title “Chen Zhongju Who Feared No Powerful Foes.”

Further Reading:

· Fifth Group of Provincial-Level Cultural Relics Protection Units of Henan Province