Chen Yi

Type Figure Region China Time c. 1220–1273 Also known as Chen Yi

Chen Yi (c. 1220–1270s), a Southern Song general who rose to the rank of surveillance commissioner and defended Xiangfan against the Mongols.

Timeline

c. 1240–1260Jing-Hu · HubeiChen Yi came from a military family, trained and rose through the ranks on the Southern Song Jing-Hu frontier, and was appointed to a military post for his bravery and fighting skill. He was later ordered to garrison the Xiangfan line, becoming a veteran general in the Southern Song's later defense system.
1267–1273Fancheng · HubeiDuring the Zhiyuan era the Mongols besieged Xiangfan; Chen Yi and generals such as Lü Wenhuan held Fancheng and the key passes of the Han River, repeatedly repulsing Yuan attacks. Over the five-year siege Song forces lacked outside relief and ran out of food and reinforcements; Chen Yi held until the city fell, and records state he either died in battle or perished with the city.