Chén Zhèn, appellation Xiàoqǐ, was a Nányáng man. When Xiān-zhǔ [Liú Bèi] was Governor of Jīngzhōu [209], he was recruited as an advisor, with authority over the various prefectures, and followed Xiān-zhǔ into Shǔ. When Shǔ was settled [214], he became Commandant of the northern part of Shǔ-jùn. Later because the prefecture name was changed he became Administrator of Wènshān, then transferred to Qiánwèi.

陳震字孝起，南陽人也。先主領荊州牧，辟為從事，部諸郡，隨先主入蜀。蜀既定，為蜀郡北部都尉，因易郡名，為汶山太守，轉在犍為。

Jiànxīng third year [225], he entered [Court in] the Secretariat, was promoted to Director of the Secretariat, and was sent as an envoy to Wú.

建興三年，入拜尚書，遷尚書令，奉命使吳。

Seventh year [229], Sūn Quán claimed Imperial title, Zhèn was appointed Minister of the Guard, and was sent to congratulate Quán’s ascension. Zhūgě Liàng wrote to his elder brother [Zhūgě] Jǐn: “Xiàoqǐ is of honest and genuine nature, experienced but ever sincere, speaks praise of all things, and is joyful and peaceful. He is praiseworthy.”

七年，孫權稱尊號，以震為衛尉，賀權踐阼，諸葛亮與兄瑾書曰：「孝起忠純之性，老而益篤，及其贊述東西，歡樂和合，有可貴者。」

Zhèn entered Wú’s borders, and after moving through the pass he said:

“The east joined with the west. The messenger comes and goes. His cap over his view, he extends his pledge to begin in friendship. Daily progress in all affairs, the eastern lord accepts the sacred blessing to rule. He announces his acceptance of the seals, judges the land and space, The realm responds in answer, and each and every pays respect. Now that it has come to this, we may join our hearts to attack the bandit rebels, and when we attack how can we fail to destroy them? The western court’s lord and ministers, eagerly await this happy alliance. I, Zhèn, though untalented, was chosen to come as envoy, To respectfully arrange alliance and friendship, crossing over our border, entering as if returning. When Xiàn-zǐ went to Lǔ, he violated their hill prohibitions, and the Chūnqiū ridiculed him. I expect to certainly serve as messenger to establish friendship. In the next few days I will address the crowds, and each side will pledge alliance. I must continue on swiftly. The state laws here are different, and I fear there may be some violation. Hopefully I will certainly be instructed and shown what should be done.”

震入吳界，移關候曰：「東之與西，驛使往來，冠蓋相望，申盟初好，日新其事。東尊應保聖祚，告燎受符，剖判土宇，天下響應，各有所歸。於此時也，以同心討賊，則何寇不滅哉！西朝君臣，引領欣賴。震以不才，得充下使，奉聘敘好，踐界踊躍，入則如歸。獻子適魯，犯其山諱，春秋譏之。望必啟告，使行人睦焉。即日張旍誥眾，各自約誓。順流漂疾，國典異制，懼或有違，幸必斟誨，示其所宜。」

Zhèn arrived at Wǔchāng. Sūn Quán and Zhèn together ascended the Altar and drank to pledge alliance, and divide the realm Under Heaven; and so Xú, Yù, Yōu, Qīng belong to Wú; Bìng, Liáng, Jì, Yǎn belong to Shǔ. The lands of Sī province would be divided with Hángǔ pass as the border. Zhèn returned, was given fief as Marquis of Chéngyáng precinct.

震到武昌，孫權與震升壇歃盟，交分天下：以徐、豫、幽、青屬吳，并、涼、冀、兗屬蜀，其司州之土，以函谷關為界。震還，封城陽亭侯。

Ninth year [231] Capital Protector Lǐ Píng committed an error and falsely called off a campaign to hide it. Zhūgě Liàng with Chief Clerk Jiǎng Wǎn and Internal Attendant Dǒng Yǔn wrote a letter: “When Xiàoqǐ previously went to Wú, he informed us that Zhèngfāng kept the supplies, and the locals believed it could not be sent. We believed the supply manager would not make this mistake and that is all, and had not thought there would be another incident like with Sū and Zhāng, and so were surprised. Only Xiàoqǐ was aware.”

九年，都護李平坐誣罔廢；諸葛亮與長史蔣琬、侍中董允書曰：「孝起前臨至吳，為吾說正方腹中有鱗甲，鄉黨以為不可近。吾以為鱗甲者但不當犯之耳，不圖復有蘇、張之事出於不意。可使孝起知之。」

Thirteenth year [235] Zhèn died. His son Jì succeeded.

十三年，震卒。子濟嗣。