Chen Li was born in
Yusha County,
Mianyang (), now
Honghu,
Hubei, as the second son of
Chen Youliang, the first emperor of the
Chen Han during the Yuan-Ming transition. His brother, Chen Shan (), was a crown prince who joined the Ming army. In 1363, his father, Chen Youliang, was shot by an arrow in the
Battle of Poyang Lake. His brother, Chen Shan, fled to the Ming. Later,
Zhang Dingbian () and other top generals protected Chen Li and his descendants, escorting Chen to
Wuchang, where Chen succeeded the throne and changed
era name to Deshou (). In the winter of the same year,
Zhu Yuanzhang personally visited Wuchang. Chen Youliang's father,
Chen Pucai, was named Marquess of Cheng'en (), his eldest brother, Chen Youfu (), was named Earl of Guiren (), and his second brother, Chen Youzhi, was named Earl of Huai'en (). He posthumously presented his fourth brother, Chen Youren (), as King of Kangshan (), and ordered the relevant officials to set up a temple to offer sacrifices, and his fifth brother, Chen Yougui (), was in charge of sacrifices. In 1364, he surrendered to Zhu Yuanzhang of Wu, the future first emperor of the
Ming Dynasty. Zhu then appointed him Marquis of Gui'de (). Chen was later sent to Korea, where he became known as King Chen. In Korea, Chen settled down and had children, starting the
Yangsan Jin Clan (see below). == Descendants ==