Chen Lan

Chen Lan is a vassal of Yuan Shu. He eventually deserts his liege and becomes a bandit with Lei Bo.

Historical Info
Chen Lan was a man who came from Yangzhou and entered Yuan Shu's services. He worked together with Lei Bo as Yuan Shu's organized military unit. After Yuan Shu's defeat, Chen Lan and Lei Bo fled and barricaded themselves at Mount Qian. When Yuan Shu asked to rely on them in 199, Chen Lan refused and barred him off. Chen Lan, Mei Qian, and Lei Bo invaded Li Shu's domain and killed the Provincial Governor of Yangzhou, Yan Xiang, a year later. They threw the region into confusion and plundered the land for themselves. Chen Lan particularly ruled the region with a tyrannical fist. A few conflicting accounts state that Mei Cheng and Lei Xu were present in the first rebellion.

Hearing of the disturbance from Liu Fu, Cao Cao sent a relief force of Zhang He, Zhang Liao, Yue Jin and Zang Ba to deal with Chen Lan's fortification at Mount Qian. Eastern Wu had also heard of the grave news and sent Han Deng to the rescue. When the opposing sides met, each force agreed to unite for a common goal. Both Han Deng and Zhang He cut the branch of a peach tree to signal their new bonds of friendship. Their forces quickly decimated Chen Lan's position. Chen Lan was said to have tried his best to cut through the opposition but eventually surrendered. On the behalf of Liu Fu, Chen Lan's life was spared and he served in Wei.

In the Zizhi Tongjian, he faithfully served Cao Cao for eight years as he helped his lord's campaigns against Liu Bei. In 209, he and Mei Cheng rebelled with the Di people in six prefectures. Cao Cao ordered his subjugation and had Chen Lan on the run towards the mountains in Liaoning. Though he braved himself for one more duel, he was cut down by Zhang Liao.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms
His role in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms is somewhat similar to his historical account. He served Yuan Shu as one of his generals and was a general under Ji Ling. He later fought Song Xian and Wei Xu at Jieshi. Through a report conducted by scouts, the reader learns that Chen Lan and Lei Bo became disgusted by Yuan Shu's arrogance and fled to their mountain fortress, Mount Song. Their departure greatly reduced Yuan Shu's strength. In chapter 21, he and Lei Bo appeared when Liu Bei's army closes in on the remnants of Yuan Shu's forces. The two generals barred the road to Shouchun and forced Yuan Shu to seek refuge elsewhere. They are not mentioned again in the novel.