Chen Gui ( 190s), courtesy name Hanyu, was a Chinese politician who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China. Family background and early career Chen Gui's ancestral home (and probably birthplace too) was in Huaipu County (), Xiapi Commandery (), Xu Province (), which is present-day Lianshui County, Jiangsu. He came from a family of government officials. His uncle, Chen Qiu (), held high-ranking positions in the Han government during the reign of Emperor Ling. Chen Qiu's sons, Chen Yu () and Chen Cong (), served as commandery administrators. Early career Chen Gui started his career as the Prefect () of Ju County (劇縣; south of present-day Shouguang, Shandong) in Beihai State after he was nominated as a xiaolian (civil service candidate) by his home commandery. He resigned after some time, but was later nominated as a maocai (茂才; outstanding civil servant) and appointed as the Chancellor () of Jibei Kingdom (around present-day Tai'an, Shandong). He was subsequently reassigned to be the Chancellor of Pei Kingdom (around present-day Pei County, Jiangsu). Refusal to join Yuan Shu Chen Gui was an old acquaintance of the warlord Yuan Shu, who, like him, also came from a family of government officials. In early 197, Yuan Shu declared himself emperor in Shouchun (壽春; present-day Shou County, Anhui) – an act deemed treasonous against the figurehead Emperor Xian of the Eastern Han dynasty. Yuan Shu then wrote to Chen Gui: "In the past, when the Qin dynasty was overthrown, all the heroes throughout the Empire started fighting for power. In the end, only the smartest and bravest succeeded in seizing the Mandate of Heaven. As of now, the Han Empire is in a state of chaos and is on the verge of collapse. This is a time for heroes to make glorious achievements. We have known each other for years. Are you not willing to help me? If you are willing to join me, you will be my most trusted adviser." At the time, Chen Gui's second son, Chen Ying (), was in Xiapi (下邳; present-day Pizhou, Jiangsu), the capital of Xu Province. Yuan Shu wanted to send his men to seize Chen Ying, and use Chen Ying as a hostage to force Chen Gui to join him. Chen Gui wrote a reply to Yuan Shu: Service under Lü Bu In 196, the warlord Lü Bu seized control of Xu Province from Liu