Introduction
Chen Zhen (died 235), courtesy name Xiaoqi, was a minister of the state of Shu Han in the Three Kingdoms period.
Life
Chen Zhen was from Nanyang Commandery. When Liu Bei became Governor of Jing Province, Chen Zhen was hired to serve as a local officer and was stationed in various commanderies. When Liu Bei entered Shu, Chen Zhen remained in his service, where he progressed in rank and soon became Prefect of the Masters of Writing at the capital. When Sun Quan declared himself emperor, Liu Shan sent Chen Zhen to offer his congratulations and to form an alliance, which he did, and they also fleshed out their countries’ borders. When he died in 235, his son Chen Ji succeeded him.
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Chen Zhen first appears in the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms as a subordinate of the warlord Yuan Shao.. His actions under Yuan Shao are not unlike his duties with Liu Bei, where he performs diplomatic tasks such as delivering Liu Bei's letter to Guan Yu in Luoyang, and meeting with Sun Ce to request aid against Cao Cao. Also in the novel, it was he who suggested to Liu Bei that he meet with the seer Li Yi (李意) while mourning the deaths of his brothers.
Appointments and titles held
- Assistant Officer (從事)
- Captain of the North District of Shu Commandery (蜀郡北部都尉)
- Administrator of Wenshan (汶山太守)
- Administrator of Jianwei (犍為太守)
- Prefect of the Masters of Writing (尚書令)
- Minister of the Guards (衛尉) - title granted by Sun Quan
- Marquis of Chengyang Village (城陽亭侯)