Yaowen Chen (Hànzì: 陳躍文, Pinyin: Chén Yuèwén, On'yomi: Chin Yōbun), or Master Chen (Hànzì: 陳大人, Pinyin: Chén-dàrén, On'yomi: Chin-taijin), is one of a few wealthy Chinese magnates living abroad in Japan, and he’s a big name in the trading business. He owns numerous trading operations worldwide, including the one in Yokosuka. Master Chen is an instrumental figure in helping Ryo Hazuki piece together the clues he needs, and assists him in getting to Hong Kong.
Background[]
While Master Chen deals in a variety of high-end merchandise, Master Chen is particularly well versed in antiques and has multiple patrons. He is said to own numerous works of valuable art, some of which are rumored to be national treasures, but nobody knows for sure. He looks gentle and kind at first glance, but he’s a very calculating buyer with a stoic composure, no matter what. In grooming his son, Guizhang Chen, to become his successor, he has made sure to instruct him fully in the Yanqingquan, a martial art handed down over multiple generations in their family.
In Shenmue the Animation, his personality, background and relationship with his son Guizhang is different. In the anime, his company, the Jiu Feng Company is an illicit operation run by overseas Chinese who have operated in Yokosuka for a long time and have amassed a significant fortune by smuggling antique art from China. He also doesn't want Guizhang to refer to him as "father" and wants their relationship to be formal when managing their business, while in the game he didn't mind having a personal relationship with his son even when running their business.
Shenmue[]
Master Chen first encounters Ryo after the young man manages to sneak past the guards patrolling the warehouse district and get inside Warehouse No. 8, which is Chen's main office of operations. Upon accidentally breaking a china plate by dropping it when the lights turn on (If Ryo does not lock onto the plate by the end of the day, the cutscene where you meet Chen and his son will automatically trigger and Ryo will not break the plate) and attempting to engage Chen's son in combat, Ryo is startled by Chen's arrival. Chen asks if Ryo was the person who had called earlier that day, and asks to see the letter Ryo had in possession. Chen confirms the letter is indeed Yuanda Zhu's handwriting, but acknowledges that it arrived too late to save Iwao Hazuki. he then asks Ryo if both mirrors had been stolen. Ryo expresses surprise, as at this point he only knew of one mirror, the Dragon Mirror. Chen tells Ryo that should both mirrors fall in Lan Di's hands, it would be disastrous. He sets Ryo on the path to finding the second mirror, known as the Phoenix Mirror.
Later, upon finding the mirror, Chen refuses to help Ryo further, seeing Ryo's plan as one of simple revenge that would only wind up in his death. However, after building on his friendship with Guizhang, and ridding the harbor of the Mad Angels, Chen relents, and allows Ryo passage aboard a ship that takes him straight to Hong Kong.
Shenmue II[]
Although Master Chen does not appear in Shenmue II, he is mentioned throughout the game. When Ryo gives Hanhui Liu the introduction letter from Chen, he reads "Yaowen Chen, I heard the name from Lishao Tao". During the time when Ryo has to perform the Chawan Sign, he can speak to Joy at Pine Game Arcade about Chen. Also when Ryo and Wuying Ren listen to Huang the Wiretapper's Cassette Tapes to gather clues on Yuanda Zhu, they can listen to a conversation between Guizhang and Joy, where near the end of the conversation Joy will say "Say hi to Uncle Chen for me" referring to Master Chen.
Shenmue the Animation[]
Master Chen as he appears in the anime.
Master Chen appears in Shenmue the Animation. In Episode 3, Ryo attempts to call his number, but cannot get a hold of him. He ends up finding out he is located at Warehouse #8 at the harbor. At night, Ryo tries to sneak into his warehouse, but some of Chen's men put a bag over his head and take him into their warehouse. Master Chen asks if Ryo's the one who's called and he explains more about Lan Di's organization and his role in it. Furthermore, Master Chen tells Ryo about the other mirror called the Phoenix Mirror which Lan Di did not steal that could possibly be at the Hazuki Residence. Once Ryo picks up the Sword Handguard his father left for him at Bunkado Antiques, not knowing what it is, hoping for it to be the Phoenix Mirror, the owner of the shop Keizo Oishi hears him mention Master Chen's name and he tells Ryo more about his background. He says that his company, the Jiu Feng Company is an illicit operation run by overseas Chinese who have operated in Yokosuka for a long time and have amassed a significant fortune by smuggling antique art from China. Once Ryo is heading home, Guizhang ambushes him to test his skills and tells him that his father sent him to be his bodyguard as they need Ryo alive.
Trivia[]
- In Prima's Shenmue Strategy Guide, Master Chen's full name is spelled "Yobun Chen" instead of "Yaowen Chen".
- Master Chen's zodiac sign is Libra and he has a A blood type.
- Master Chen's phone number is 0468-61-5647 (In Shenmue I & II the last digit is removed.). When dialing Master Chen, Ryo will need to give the proper password (Father's Heaven, Nine Dragons, Mother's Earth, Comrades). He will always speak to Guizhang.
Gallery[]
