Chen Yuanda (died c.April 316[2]), courtesy name Changhong, was a Xiongnu minister of Han-Zhao during the Sixteen Kingdoms period.
He was an influential figure within the Han court, most known for his fierce remonstrations against the emperor, Liu Cong and his decadent lifestyle.
Towards the end of his life, he led the scholar-officials in a power struggle against Liu Cong's eunuchs and consort kins, but killed himself out of despair after his close friend died as a result of the conflict.
His family name was originally "Gao (高)", but supposedly, due to his birth month bringing misfortune to his father, he was forced to change it to "Chen (陳)".
[3] When Liu Yuan became the Xiongnu Worthy Prince of the Left, he sought out to recruit Yuanda into his ranks.
However, Yuanda replied, "The ministers are divided by nature, and those who are rash for power will surely fall.
[9] In a bizarre story that supposedly took place in 313, a shooting star had fallen to the ground around Pingyang and transformed into a mass of flesh.
Liu Cong was annoyed by his admonition, so he secretly reduced Yuanda's power by moving him to a prestigious but also powerless position.
However, many ministers protested this move by offering to give their positions up to Yuanda, so Cong was forced to re-appoint him as Imperial Secretary.
Later, Jin Yueguang was caught committing an immoral act, so Yuanda sent a petition to Liu Cong in regard to it and forced him to depose her.
[11] During the following year (316), Liu Cong began to place an excessive amount of trust in his eunuchs and consort kins, led by Wang Chen.
Wang Chen and his allies were despised by Liu Cong's minister as they continued to curry his favour while living lavishly and removing their rivals.
Yuanda was involved in a group effort to submit a petition denouncing Wang Chen and his partisans.