Chen Yuanguang was a native of Gushi County, Guangzhou, now a native of Gushi County, Henan Province.
Read the classics extensively, understand literature and history, learn the art of war by yourself, and learn riding and shooting. In the second year of Yifeng (677), he inherited his father's position and was awarded the title of Zuolang General of Wei Yi Mansion with a jade seal. In the second year of Yonglong (681), Zuo Yuqian was awarded the title of General of Guards Zhonglang and Commander-in-Chief of Lingnan Road March. He was promoted to the official position and became the governor of Zhangzhou, becoming the first governor in the history of Zhangzhou. To govern Fujian well, he opened schools and selected talents, appointed wise men, recruited exiles, burned wasteland for reclamation, built schools, and encouraged people to study.
There are also 36 forts set up in the state, with towers set up in the four borders, as strongholds for military appeasement and political education. They mainly care for Shanyue people, pay equal attention to virtue and prestige, intermarry with relatives, and marry Shanyue women as wives. Use force against those who rebelled against the Tang Dynasty, and demarcate areas to live in and manage themselves for those who were willing to submit, called "Tanghuali", also known as "Jiulongli", to promote southern Fujian, known as a "barbaric" land, to achieve economic and cultural development develop rapidly.
Memorial for later generations
Tomb: Located in Shigushan, Punan Town, a suburb of Zhangzhou City, 15 kilometers away from the urban area. The tombstone is inscribed "Tang Kai Zhang Tomb of General Chen". There are stone sheep and stone lions in front of the tomb. One pair each and a Chinese watch.
Chen Yuanguang Square: In May 2004, the Gushi County Government built Chen Yuanguang Square in the center of the county and put it into use. The square was named after Chen Yuanguang, the "Sage King of Kai Zhang", and covers an area of ??about 40,000 square meters. In September 2006, the statue of Chen Yuanguang donated by Gushi County's sister county Yunxiao County was completed. It is 7.11 meters high, 5.55 meters long, 2.55 meters wide, has a total weight of 35 tons and uses 123 stones. It has now become a landmark building in the square.
Today, there is a tomb of Chen Yuanguang in Punan Town, Zhangzhou City, which is listed as a protected cultural relic by the Fujian Provincial People's Government. It is listed as a national cultural relic protection unit. Every year, countless members of the Chen family at home and abroad go there to trace their roots and inquire about their ancestors. According to statistics, there are 251 registered temples dedicated to the "Kai Zhang Holy King" in Zhangzhou, while there are more than 360 "Kai Zhang Holy King" temples in Taiwan.
Reference for the above content: Baidu Encyclopedia—Chen Yuanguang