The Shen Tu Clan#

Clan Name: Shen Tu, pronounced as shēn tú

Distribution of the Shen Tu Clan#

• Jingzhao Commandery: This was the direct jurisdiction of the capital, Chang’an, and covered the area from present-day Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, to Huaxian.
• Xihe Commandery: Established during the Warring States period by the State of Wei. It corresponded to the region along the Yellow River between present-day Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces.

Origin of the Shen Tu Clan#

The origin of the Shen Tu clan can be traced to three different sources:

1. Descendants of Emperor Shun: Initially known as the Sheng Tu clan, they later adopted the name Shen Tu because the ancient characters for “Sheng” and “Shen” were pronounced the same.
2. Descendants of Jiang: They were descendants of the Four Mountains, who were enfeoffed in the state of Shen during the Xia Dynasty and held the title of Marquis of Shen. In the late Western Zhou Dynasty, King You of Zhou, a tyrant, deposed the Marquis of Shen and his son in favor of Bao Si, a beautiful concubine. The Marquis of Shen, in alliance with the Qianrong nomadic tribes, launched an attack on King You. When the crisis arose, King You attempted to summon reinforcements through the beacons, but no help arrived. Bao Si was so difficult to please that King You offered a large reward for anyone who could make her smile. A cunning person tricked King You into using the beacons for entertainment, leading to no actual aid. Over time, the lords grew wary of such tricks and refused to come when a real emergency occurred, resulting in King You’s death and Bao Si’s capture. The Marquis of Shen, along with other lords, supported Yiju as the new king (King Ping of Zhou). To reward the Marquis of Shen, King Ping granted him a fief in the area of Tuyuan (east of present-day Heyang County, Shaanxi Province), where the Shen family took the name Shen Tu.
3. A misclassification of the ancient Shen Tu clan as Shen Tu: There was a confusion that led to the name Shen Tu being applied to a different clan.

Migration and Distribution

In the peaceful mountains of Tonglu, Zhejiang, there is a village called Shen’ao, where most residents have the surname Shen Tu. Despite the gentle weather in the Jiangnan region, these people possess a strong and resolute character. Why is this so? According to Shen Tu Shenghong, the 30th generation of the Shen Tu clan:

“Our village of Shen’ao is a significant part of the Shen Tu family, with over 1,200 households and more than 4,000 people, 85% of whom have the surname Shen Tu.”

Clan Halls

• Gu An Hall: During the Han Dynasty, Shen Tu Jia was known for his great strength; he could operate a powerful crossbow and fought alongside Emperor Gaozu against Xiang Yu. He eventually became the governor of Huaiyang and was promoted to the position of Censor-in-Chief under Emperor Wen, receiving the title of Marquis of Gu An. The Shen Tu clan is named after this hall.

Notable Figures with the Shen Tu Surname

• Shen Tu Jia: A general during the Han Dynasty, he was appointed Prime Minister and granted the title of Marquis of Gu An. Known for his integrity, he refused to accept bribes. When his loyal minister Deng Tong caused a scandal in the palace, Jia tried to execute him but was spared by Emperor Wen.
• Shen Tu Gang: A person from the Later Han Dynasty, known for his straightforwardness and admiration for the virtues of historical figures like Shi You and Ji An. He was dismissed from office for opposing the emperor’s policies and later served as an imperial censor.
• Shen Tu Zhiyuan: A scholar from the Yuan Dynasty who was recommended by the military commander to manage logistical affairs during the southern campaigns. He was known for his integrity and collected a vast library of books.
• Shen Tu Pan: A scholar from the Eastern Han Dynasty who refused an official position and chose to live in seclusion, mastering the Five Classics and other subjects.

Interesting Facts

Despite the soft climate of Jiangnan, the Shen Tu clan members exhibit a robust and determined spirit. This unique combination of heritage and environment makes them quite noteworthy.