During the late Qin and early Han dynasties, a man named Chen Ping was renowned far and wide as a strikingly handsome and imposing figure.
One day, Chen Ping returned from studying outside. Someone asked him, "Your family is very poor—what do you eat to grow so tall?" Chen Ping's sister-in-law cut in, "Eat what? He loafs around all day, doesn't work, and only eats chaff. A brother-in-law like this is worse than having none!"
Chen Ping's elder brother doted on him, and when he heard his wife's complaints, he was so furious that he drove her away.
When Chen Ping reached marriageable age, wealthy families refused to give him their daughters because he was poor, and he himself had no interest in a poor man's daughter. As it happened, the local rich man Zhang Fu had a granddaughter who had been married five times, each time her husband dying, leaving no one daring to take her as a wife. Chen Ping married her. With Zhang Fu's financial support, Chen Ping frequently went out to study under teachers, broadening his social circle even further.
When Chen Sheng launched his uprising, Chen Ping first joined King Wei Jiu of Wei, but finding that the king refused to adopt his sound strategies, he defected to Xiang Yu. Soon, however, facing baseless suspicion from Xiang Yu, Chen Ping switched allegiance to Liu Bang.
Chen Ping went to see Liu Bang that day. Liu Bang said, "I'm tired today and want to sleep." Chen Ping replied, "I came because I admire your reputation. What I have to say cannot wait until tomorrow."
Liu Bang spoke with Chen Ping and, recognizing his talent, appointed him to the crucial role of strategist.
The generals, seeing Liu Bang value Chen Ping so highly, murmured among themselves in discontent and said to Liu Bang, "He's a deserter from Xiang Yu's camp—who knows if he has any real ability? Why do you hold him in such high regard?"
The ministers Zhou Bo and Guan Ying also said, "Chen Ping is merely handsome in appearance, like a hat adorned with jade, but hollow inside. Moreover, since he arrived not long ago, we have heard complaints about him. You should investigate him more closely."
After a thorough investigation, Liu Bang dismissed the accusations against Chen Ping, reaffirming his trust in him and repeatedly promoting him to higher ranks.
Chen Ping later assisted Liu Bang in conquering the realm, using six strategic schemes to turn danger into safety, showcasing extraordinary wisdom. After Liu Bang founded the Han Dynasty, Chen Ping was enfeoffed as Marquis of Qu Ni. During the reigns of Emperor Hui and Empress Dowager Lü, he rose to the position of Chancellor. Following Empress Dowager Lü's death, Chen Ping conspired with Zhou Bo to eliminate the powerful imperial relatives Lü Chan and Lü Lu, making a significant contribution to stabilizing the Han Dynasty.
Later, the idiom "Handsome as a Jade Crown" came to describe a person's beauty (often used for men).
Source: *Records of the Grand Historian*, "Hereditary House of Chancellor Chen"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "美如冠玉" came to describe a person's beauty (often used for men).