Shen Yin Shu
Encyclopedia
Shen Yin Shu or Shen Yin Xu (? - 506 BCE) was a general of the state
of Chu
during the Spring and Autumn Period of ancient China. A great-grandson of King Zhuang of Chu
, he was appointed yin (尹, governor) of Shen (in present-day Linquan County
of Anhui Province), and became known as Shen Yin Shu (literally "Shu, Governor of Shen"). He is one of the original ancestors of the Shen
surname.
, a Chinese classic text compiled around 239 BCE, credits Shen Yin Shu with getting rid of the corrupt official Fei Wuji
. During the reign of King Ping of Chu, Fei Wuji induced the king to marry the bride of the crown prince Jian. Fearing the revenge of the prince when he became king, Fei persuaded King Ping to kill Prince Jian, his tutor Wu She, and Wu She's sons. Prince Jian managed to escape abroad, and Wu She's second son Wu Zixu
also escaped to the state of Wu
, but Wu She and his first son Wu Shang were executed. Fei Wuji then framed another official Xi Wan (郤宛) and tricked the prime minister
Nang Wa (also known as Zichang) into killing him. Shen Yin Shu, who had risen to the position of Sima (chief commander of the army), pointed out Nang's mistake and persuaded him to execute the hated Fei Wuji.
, one of the earliest Chinese works of narrative history compiled in the 4th century BCE, gives a detailed account of Shen Yin Shu's words and deeds in the historic Battle of Boju.
In 506 BCE, during the reign of King Zhao of Chu
, King Helü of Wu
led an army to invade Chu. His army was commanded by the military strategist Sun Tzu
, author of The Art of War
, as well as Wu Zixu, out to avenge the death of his father and brother. The Wu army sailed up the Huai River
and then left their ships and marched to the east bank of the Han River. In response, prime minister Nang Wa (Zichang) and Shen Yin Shu led the Chu army to the west bank of the Han, across the river from the invaders.
Shen Yin Shu devised a plan in which Nang Wa would take up defensive positions with the main army along the Han River, while Shen would go north to Fangcheng
on Chu's northern frontier, and lead the troops stationed there to destroy the Wu ships left on the Huai River and block the three passes on the Wu army's return route. Nang Wa would then cross the Han and the two forces would simultaneously attack the Wu army from both the front and the back. Nang accepted the plan, and Shen departed for Fangcheng.
After Shen's departure, however, the historiographer Shi Huang (史皇) said to Nang Wa that the people of Chu hated Nang and loved Shen Yin Shu, and that if he followed Shen's plan then Shen would take all the credit for the victory and Nang would be doomed. Nang had a change of heart and decided to cross the river and attack right away.
The two armies fought three battles between the Xiaobie (southeast of present-day Hanchuan
) and Dabie Mountains and the Wu were victorious. Convinced that he could not win, Nang Wa wanted to flee but was dissuaded by Shi Huang. The Wu army then attacked at Boju, routing the Chu army. Shi Huang was killed in the battle and Nang Wa escaped to the state of Zheng
. The Wu army then pursued the remaining Chu troops, won several more battles, and captured Ying
, the capital of Chu.
Shen Yin Shu had by now returned and defeated the Wu forces at Yongshi River (雍澨, present-day Sima River in Jingshan County), but he was wounded three times in as many battles. Not wanting to be captured alive, he requested officer Wu Goubi kill him and bring his head home.
Shen Yin Shu's son Shen Zhuliang with the city of Ye (in present-day Ye County
of Henan Province) at the northern frontier of the Chu kingdom. In 478 BCE, during the reign of King Hui of Chu, Shen Zhuliang put down the rebellion of Duke of Bai and restored the king's rule. He was awarded the title Ye Gong (Duke of Ye), and became the founding ancestor of the Ye
surname. Shen Yin Shu is therefore recognized as an original ancestor of both Shen and Ye, which are now the 49th and 42nd most common Chinese surnames, respectively.
Although the Battle of Boju is best known today as the greatest victory of Sun Tzu
and Wu Zixu
, two of the most famous generals in Chinese history, ancient historians portrayed Shen Yin Shu as a capable general and a worthy adversary. His deeds and especially his death have been dramatized in several historical novels.
Ancient Chinese states
Ancient Chinese States were typified by variously sized city states and territories that existed in China prior to its unification by Qin Shi Huang in 221 BCE. In many cases these were vassal states characterized by tribute paid to the ruling Zhou Dynasty...
of Chu
Chu (state)
The State of Chu was a Zhou Dynasty vassal state in present-day central and southern China during the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States Period . Its ruling house had the surname Nai , and clan name Yan , later evolved to surname Mi , and clan name Xiong...
during the Spring and Autumn Period of ancient China. A great-grandson of King Zhuang of Chu
King Zhuang of Chu
King Zhuāng of Chǔ was a monarch of the Zhou Dynasty vassal State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history...
, he was appointed yin (尹, governor) of Shen (in present-day Linquan County
Linquan County
Linquan County is a county of Anhui Province, China. It is under the administration of Fuyang city....
of Anhui Province), and became known as Shen Yin Shu (literally "Shu, Governor of Shen"). He is one of the original ancestors of the Shen
Shen (surname)
Shen can be a pinyin transliteration of one of several Chinese family names 沈, 申, 慎.-Surname 沈:沈 is the 14th surname in the Hundred Family Surnames text...
surname.
Killing of Fei Wuji
Lüshi ChunqiuLüshi Chunqiu
The Lüshi Chunqiu is an encyclopedic Chinese classic text compiled around 239 BCE under the patronage of the Qin Dynasty Chancellor Lü Buwei...
, a Chinese classic text compiled around 239 BCE, credits Shen Yin Shu with getting rid of the corrupt official Fei Wuji
Fei Wuji
Fei Wuji was a corrupt official of the state of Chu during the reign of King Ping whose persecution of Crown Prince Jian and the family of Wu Zixu led to the defeat and decline of Chu.-Life and death:...
. During the reign of King Ping of Chu, Fei Wuji induced the king to marry the bride of the crown prince Jian. Fearing the revenge of the prince when he became king, Fei persuaded King Ping to kill Prince Jian, his tutor Wu She, and Wu She's sons. Prince Jian managed to escape abroad, and Wu She's second son Wu Zixu
Wu Zixu
Wu Yun , better known by his style name Zixu , is the most famous ancestor of people with the surname of Wu . All branches of the Wu clans claim him as their "first ancestor"...
also escaped to the state of Wu
Wu (state)
The State of Wu , also known as Gou Wu or Gong Wu , was one of the vassal states during the Western Zhou Dynasty and the Spring and Autumn Period. The State of Wu was located at the mouth of the Yangtze River east of the State of Chu. Considered a semi-barbarian state by ancient Chinese...
, but Wu She and his first son Wu Shang were executed. Fei Wuji then framed another official Xi Wan (郤宛) and tricked the prime minister
Prime minister (Chu State)
The post of Prime Minister of Chu was an official government position established in the vassal State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history ....
Nang Wa (also known as Zichang) into killing him. Shen Yin Shu, who had risen to the position of Sima (chief commander of the army), pointed out Nang's mistake and persuaded him to execute the hated Fei Wuji.
Battle of Boju
Zuo ZhuanZuo Zhuan
The Zuo Zhuan , sometimes translated as the Chronicle of Zuo or the Commentary of Zuo, is among the earliest Chinese works of narrative history and covers the period from 722 BCE to 468 BCE. It is one of the most important sources for understanding the history of the Spring and Autumn Period...
, one of the earliest Chinese works of narrative history compiled in the 4th century BCE, gives a detailed account of Shen Yin Shu's words and deeds in the historic Battle of Boju.
In 506 BCE, during the reign of King Zhao of Chu
King Zhao of Chu
King Zhao of Chu was from 515 – 489 BCE the king of the State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn Period of ancient China. Documents unearthed in the former state also show his title as King Shao. Born Xiong Zhen , King Zhao was the son of King Ping of Chu .-Life:In 506 BCE, King Helü of the...
, King Helü of Wu
King Helü of Wu
King Helü of the state of Wu , a state in ancient China, was initially known as Prince Guang . He reigned towards the end of the Spring and Autumn Period.-Biography:...
led an army to invade Chu. His army was commanded by the military strategist Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
Sun Wu , style name Changqing , better known as Sun Tzu or Sunzi , was an ancient Chinese military general, strategist and philosopher who is traditionally believed, and who is most likely, to have authored The Art of War, an influential ancient Chinese book on military strategy...
, author of The Art of War
The Art of War
The Art of War is an ancient Chinese military treatise that is attributed to Sun Tzu , a high ranking military general and strategist during the late Spring and Autumn period...
, as well as Wu Zixu, out to avenge the death of his father and brother. The Wu army sailed up the Huai River
Huai River
The Huai River is a major river in China. The Huai River is located about mid-way between the Yellow River and Yangtze River, the two largest rivers in China, and like them runs from west to east...
and then left their ships and marched to the east bank of the Han River. In response, prime minister Nang Wa (Zichang) and Shen Yin Shu led the Chu army to the west bank of the Han, across the river from the invaders.
Shen Yin Shu devised a plan in which Nang Wa would take up defensive positions with the main army along the Han River, while Shen would go north to Fangcheng
Fangcheng County
Fangcheng County is a county of Nanyang, Henan, China, has an area of 2,542 square kilometers and a population of 970,000 as of 2002.-External links:*...
on Chu's northern frontier, and lead the troops stationed there to destroy the Wu ships left on the Huai River and block the three passes on the Wu army's return route. Nang Wa would then cross the Han and the two forces would simultaneously attack the Wu army from both the front and the back. Nang accepted the plan, and Shen departed for Fangcheng.
After Shen's departure, however, the historiographer Shi Huang (史皇) said to Nang Wa that the people of Chu hated Nang and loved Shen Yin Shu, and that if he followed Shen's plan then Shen would take all the credit for the victory and Nang would be doomed. Nang had a change of heart and decided to cross the river and attack right away.
The two armies fought three battles between the Xiaobie (southeast of present-day Hanchuan
Hanchuan
Hanchuan is a county-level city in Hubei, China. It is under the administration of Xiaogan city.The city's urban area is located on the left bank of the Yangtze a few tens of kilometres upstream from Wuhan...
) and Dabie Mountains and the Wu were victorious. Convinced that he could not win, Nang Wa wanted to flee but was dissuaded by Shi Huang. The Wu army then attacked at Boju, routing the Chu army. Shi Huang was killed in the battle and Nang Wa escaped to the state of Zheng
Zheng (state)
Zheng （) was a vassal state in China during the Zhou Dynasty located in the centre of ancient China in modern day Henan Province on the North China Plain about east of the royal capital at Luoyang. It was the most powerful of the vassal states at the beginning of the Eastern Zhou...
. The Wu army then pursued the remaining Chu troops, won several more battles, and captured Ying
Ying (Chu)
Yǐng was a capital city of the State of Chu during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States Periods of Chinese History.In the early years of Chu’s development, the state capital was located at Danyang , near modern day Xichuan County in Henan Province...
, the capital of Chu.
Shen Yin Shu had by now returned and defeated the Wu forces at Yongshi River (雍澨, present-day Sima River in Jingshan County), but he was wounded three times in as many battles. Not wanting to be captured alive, he requested officer Wu Goubi kill him and bring his head home.
Legacy
After the war King Zhao enfeoffedEnfeoffment
Under the European feudal system, enfeoffment was the deed by which a person was given land in exchange for a pledge of service. This mechanism was later used to avoid restrictions on the passage of title in land by a system in which a landowner would give land to one person for the use of another...
Shen Yin Shu's son Shen Zhuliang with the city of Ye (in present-day Ye County
Ye County
Ye County is a county in Pingdingshan, Henan Province, China, with a population of 820,000....
of Henan Province) at the northern frontier of the Chu kingdom. In 478 BCE, during the reign of King Hui of Chu, Shen Zhuliang put down the rebellion of Duke of Bai and restored the king's rule. He was awarded the title Ye Gong (Duke of Ye), and became the founding ancestor of the Ye
Ye (surname)
Ye is the 42nd most common Chinese surname. The same Chinese character is commonly romanized as Ye in mainland China and Yeh in Taiwan from the Mandarin pronunciation. In Hong Kong, Macau, and Southeast Asia, it is usually romanized as Yip or Ip from the Cantonese pronunciation, and Yap or Yeap...
surname. Shen Yin Shu is therefore recognized as an original ancestor of both Shen and Ye, which are now the 49th and 42nd most common Chinese surnames, respectively.
Although the Battle of Boju is best known today as the greatest victory of Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
Sun Wu , style name Changqing , better known as Sun Tzu or Sunzi , was an ancient Chinese military general, strategist and philosopher who is traditionally believed, and who is most likely, to have authored The Art of War, an influential ancient Chinese book on military strategy...
and Wu Zixu
Wu Zixu
Wu Yun , better known by his style name Zixu , is the most famous ancestor of people with the surname of Wu . All branches of the Wu clans claim him as their "first ancestor"...
, two of the most famous generals in Chinese history, ancient historians portrayed Shen Yin Shu as a capable general and a worthy adversary. His deeds and especially his death have been dramatized in several historical novels.