Chen Qiao

Life

His line of transmission is reported in two forms: one account says that he inherited his family learning in childhood and later studied the Classics under Cheng Zhifang; another places him in a teacher–student relationship with Li Zhifang in 1337. After completing his studies, he declined office and lived in seclusion in Yangu, wearing deerskin and styling himself Lupizi. He possessed talents for statecraft and was notably self-contained; after being recommended and summoned, he declined the summons, devoted himself to writing, and taught pupils, lectured, and did good among the local people while in retirement.

He was noted for his filial devotion. His great-grandfather was 陳居仁, his grandfather 陳嚞, his father 陳取青, and his mother 郭氏; his wife was 朱氏, and he also had a concubine identified only as 某氏. His sons included 陳逢年, as well as 陳延年, 陳大年, 陳耆年, 陳喬年, and 陳昌年, identified respectively as the eldest through fifth; his sons-in-law were 王為, 俞某, and 張紹先. His grandchildren included 陳庭玉, 陳庭珪, 陳庭筠, 陳庭鸞, 陳庭鳳, 陳庭堅, and 陳庭誨; the husbands of his granddaughters were 徐信, 俞本, and 虞某. His great-grandchildren were 陳紹宗, 陳超宗, and 陳林宗, and he was buried at Dongyang after his death.

Associations and conduct

He was friendly with Huang Jinqing, a fellow native of the same commandery, and was esteemed by Huang Jin, Yu Ji, and Ouyang Xuan. His literary exchanges included poetic responses with Yang Weizhen, farewell poems and prefaces for Huang Jin, Zhang Zhu, and Li Yong, an elegy in verse and lyrics for Liu Yinggui, and a postscript to Zheng Yong's poetry and prose. He also received poems and prose presented by Huang Jin, Liu Guan, and 胡澸.

In 1337, Yang Weizhen wrote a preface to *鹿皮子文集*, while Song Lian composed his epitaph; Yang Junfu, one of his disciples, wrote his biographical notice. He also wrote to Song Jinglian, earnestly encouraging him through literary exchange.

Literary achievement

His prose was fresh, unconventional, and highly ornate, and he excelled particularly in explaining the Classics. He favored ancient-style fu rhapsodies, whose structure was ornate and which retained the legacy of Wei–Jin writers. His poetry consisted largely of topical and occasional pieces; its parallel couplets were intricate and often had unusual force, placing it alongside the works of the Xikun poets.

Works

His collection was known as *鹿皮子集*. Other titles associated with his corpus include *易像數新說*, *洪範傳*, *經解經*, *四書本旨*, *孝經新說*, *太極圖解*, *通書解*, *聖賢大意*, *性理大明*, *答客問*, *石室新語*, *淳熙糾繆*, and *飛花觀小稿*. A further group is listed under his authorship: *太極圖解通書解*, *答客問石室新語*, *經解*, *負暄野錄*, *飛霞觀稿*, and *鹿皮子陳先生文集*.