Yaowen Chen

Yaowen Chen (ヤオウェン・チェン Chen Yaowen, born October 10, 1926) is a character in the Shenmue series. He is a martial arts master known by the title Master Chen, he runs a shipping company out of the Old Yokosuka Warehouse District with his son Guizhang Chen. Chen is instrumental in the plot of Shenmue as he provides information to Ryo Hazuki about the whereabouts of the Chiyoumen.

Overview
Chen is a well respected and powerful man in the local area of Yokosuka, he has built a large shipping empire with locations all over the globe and is a master in the Yan Quing Style of martial arts. He is passing down his knowledge in both business and martial arts to his son Guizhang who trains with him every day. He has some knowledge in the underworld dealings of the Chinese mafia's and has had personal troubles with a harbor gang called the Mad Angels.

History
Chen makes his first appearance when Ryo sneaks into the Old Warehouse District and breaks into Chen's headquarters at Warehouse #8. After breaking a china plate Chen and Guizhang are alerted to his presence and Guizhang attempts to confront Ryo. Chen stops Guizhang realizing Ryo is the son of Iwao he asks Ryo if he was the one trying to enter earlier and is shown a letter left for his father. Chen determines the letter was written by Yuanda Zhu and was intended to reach Iwao however, it arrived too late. At this point Chen tells Ryo to find another mirror he believed Iwao had in his possession, the Phoenix Mirror.

After locating the mirror Chen becomes concerned for the safety of Ryo and the mirror and sends off Guizhang to be a body guard for Ryo. Chen continues deny Ryo passage to Hong Kong, fearing his quest for revenge will get him killed. After defeating the Mad Angels on the harbor Chen relents and allows Ryo passage to Hong Kong on a freight ship.