Jean-Baptiste Chatellier
Jean-Baptiste Chatellier | |
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| Born | September 8, 1718 |
| Died | February 13, 1780 (aged 61) |
| Nationality | Blaykish |
| Spouse(s) | Hua Jinbai Hélène Chatellier |
| Children | Maurice Chatellier Jean Chatellier |
Jean-Baptiste Chatellier was a Blaykish Navy sailor, a diplomat, and an adventurer who played a critical role in the foundation of the Tan Dynasty for whom he served alternatively as General, Grand Administrator, and Minister. He took the Huaren name of Bao Enchen(堡恩沉).
Biography
Adventurer for the Tan
On the recommendation of Nicolas Bertrand D'Arixomage, the Prince of Tan took Chatellier under his service as Naval Officer, fighting the Hong Navy on the Queen River. His successes and the lack of officers in the ranks of the Tan quickly turned Jean-Baptiste Chatellier into a favorite of the prince who promoted him to the rank of General.
In the service of the Dynasty
After the war, his close proximity to the Hegemon-King made him the de-facto leader of the Blaykish "Adventurers" Party. The death of D'Arixomage and the recalling of Charles-Gauthier de Fluery, his political rival, left Jean-Baptiste Chatellier as the sole unofficial leader of the Principeans in Huran. He received the honorary title of "Pillar of the State" (柱國, zhùguó) at the royal court, but also sat at the royal council as Minister of the Navy. He also supervised the establishment of Vives-Eaux as a free port for Principean traders, and became its first Administrator.
He first married Hua Jinbai, daughter of a famous clan of Hua administrators and scholars, cementing his position in the Huranian aristocracy. Their children would continue to play an important role in the political life of the Blaykish in the Tan Dynasty. He would remarry a few years after her death with Hélène Bailly, the daughter of his late friend Laurent-Marie Bailly and of his Huranian wife. The Bailly would also become an important clan within the Hurano-Principeans.