Chen Ni, style name Gongzheng, was a distant relative of Emperor Gaozu. He grew up in poverty and hardship but had a righteous character and exceptional memory. When Emperor Gaozu led a campaign to Jiaozhi in the south, Chen Ni followed him. Later, during the suppression of the rebel Hou Jing in Yuzhang, Emperor Gaozu appointed Chen Ni as the Prefect of Luozhou, where he was responsible for logistics together with Hu Ying, including the supply of military provisions and handling various affairs. While Emperor Gaozu was stationed in Zhufang, Chen Ni was promoted to Infantry Colonel and concurrently appointed as the magistrate of Qu'a County.
In the first year of the Shaotai era, Chen Ni was conferred the title of General Zhenwei and appointed as the Administrator of Yixing. In the second year of the Shaotai era, he was recalled to the court and appointed as the Minister of Imperial Guards, then further promoted to the position of Attendant of the Palace, General Mingwei, and appointed as the governor of Yongzhou, while also managing the affairs of Nanxuzhou.
When Emperor Gaozu of Han ascended the throne, he issued a decree saying, "The descendants of our Liu clan are the legitimate descendants of the Zhou dynasty and are the solid foundation of our Han dynasty, close family members. Therefore, in the past when we formed alliances, only those of other surnames could become empresses, and when expanding our territories, only those surnamed Liu could become kings. This was to unite family members and strengthen our power, following the excellent traditions of previous emperors and the customs of past generations. My sons Ni and Bao, grandsons Chao, Xuan, Sheng, Xiang, as well as Jingya and Jingtai, you are all my relatives who have dedicated yourselves to serving the imperial family. You deserve rewards to honor our ancestors and bring glory to our family name."
You are granted the title of Duke of Yongxiu County; you are granted the title of Duke of Zhongling County; you are granted the title of Duke of Jiancheng County; you are granted the title of Duke of Shangrao County; you are granted the title of Duke of Qianhua County; you will continue to hold your previous title; you are granted the title of Duke of Yuzhang County; you are granted the title of Duke of Suixing County; you are granted the title of Duke of Yihuang County; you are granted the title of Duke of Ningdu County; you are granted the title of Duke of Pinggu County. Each county will grant you five hundred households. He also planned to appoint you as General of Light Cavalry, while maintaining your position as Inspector of Southern Xuzhou and your title as Cavalry Commandant.
In that year, he was also appointed as the Assistant Cavalry Commandant and Deputy General. Three years later, he was again assigned to oversee Southern Xuzhou in his original position. After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, he was appointed as the Prefect of Danyang, while retaining his position as Assistant Cavalry Commandant. Later, due to certain issues, he was dismissed and managed a commandery as a commoner, but soon regained his former position. In the first year of Tianjia, he passed away at the age of fifty-eight. The court posthumously honored him with the title of General and arranged for his funeral according to the standards for generals, providing the corresponding salary. He was posthumously honored with the title 'Ding.' Two years later, he was honored at the temple of Emperor Gaozu. His son, Dang, inherited his title.
Chen Xiang, styled Wenji, became a monk in his youth. He wrote well and spoke elegantly and with refinement. When Emperor Gaozu waged war against Hou Jing, he summoned him, ordered him to remove his monk's robe and don military attire, and provided him with troops to help quell the rebellion in the capital.
When Emperor Gaozu was on an expedition to the east to conquer Du Gan, Chen Xiang was sent to manage the three counties of Anji, Yuanxiang, and Guzhang separately. After Du Gan was pacified, for his contributions, he was appointed as a Cavalry Officer, a Valiant General, a General of Majestic Trust, and the Governor of Qingzhou. He also merged the counties of Guzhang and Guangde to establish the Guangliang Commandery, and was appointed as the Prefect. After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, he renamed Guangliang Commandery to Chenliu Commandery, and Chen Xiang continued to serve as the Prefect of Chenliu. In the second year of Yongding, he was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Suixing County, with a fief of five hundred households. In the same year, he was promoted to General of Mingwei and an Imperial Palace Attendant. In the third year of Yongding, he followed Hou Andu to defeat the general Chang Zhong'ai of Wang Lin at Gongting Lake.
After Emperor Shizu succeeded to the throne, Chen Xiang was appointed as the Prefect of Xuancheng, with no change in his military position. Wang Lin occupied Zhakou and defended it, while Chen Xiang followed Wu Mingche to attack Pancheng, attempting to assault Wang Lin's hometown, but failed. They then entered Nanhu and made their way back to the military camp on foot from Poyang. After Wang Lin was pacified, both Chen Xiang and Wu Mingche were recognized for their contributions. In the first year of Tianjia, as per usual practice, his fief was increased to a total of fifteen hundred households. He continued to serve as an Imperial Palace Attendant and concurrently as the General of the Right Guard. In the third year of Tianjia, he was sent on an external mission to serve as a General of Valiant Cavalry, Commander of Military Affairs in Wuzhou, General of Benevolence, and the Governor of Wuzhou.
Zhou Di rebelled in Linqian, and Chen Xiang departed Wuzhou and took a shortcut to launch a surprise attack on Zhou Di's camp at Rucheng, capturing his wife and children. Zhou Di fled after his defeat, and Chen Xiang returned to Wuzhou to continue his garrison. In the fifth year of Tianjia, Zhou Di rebelled again in Linqian, and the court appointed Chen Xiang as the Commander, leading the land and naval forces to suppress Zhou Di. When the army reached Nancheng and encountered the rebels, they were defeated, and Chen Xiang was killed in action at the age of forty-two. Because the military operation failed, he was not granted a posthumous title. His son, Chen Zhengli, inherited his title.
Chen Huiji, courtesy name Yuanfang, was the great-grandson of Gaozu. He was well-read, talented, and had a strong personality. During the suppression of the Hou Jing rebellion, Huiji followed along. Later, he was appointed as a military officer. After the rebellion was quelled, he participated in the campaign against Du Gang. He was then appointed as General of Zhenwei and Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. After Gaozu ascended the throne, he was enfeoffed as Marquis of Yihuang County, with a fief of five hundred households, and appointed as a Gentleman of the Yellow Gate.
When Emperor Shizu ascended the throne, Huiji was appointed as the county magistrate of Anji County. He was later promoted to Deputy General of Mingwei. When Sikong Zhang Zhaoda was on a campaign against Anshu City, Huiji served as the naval commander and burned the enemy's boats made of green mud in Jingzhou. In the first year of Guangda, in recognition of his achievements, he was appointed as Commissioner, Attendant Cavalry of Tongzhi, General of Xuanyuan, Governor of Fengzhou, with his fief increased to one thousand households.
In the tenth year of Taijian, Wu Mingche marched north to subdue the defeated, and Huiji was appointed as Commissioner, General of Zhiwu, Commander of Yuanjiang, Governor of Yanzhou, with his fief increased to two thousand households, while his other positions remained unchanged. At that time, the Zhou army took advantage of the victory and occupied the Huainan region, which also faced disturbances in the Jiangnan region. Huiji quickly assembled his troops and returned to the capital via the sea. He was then appointed as Commissioner, Attendant Cavalry of Sanqi, General of Xuanyi, Commander of Yingshou and Bazhou, Governor of Yingshou, with his fief increased to two thousand five hundred households.
In the second year of Zhide, Huiji was promoted to Commissioner, Attendant Cavalry of Sanqi, General of Yunhui, Commander of Jingzhou and Xinzhou, Governor of Jingzhou, and was also granted a troupe of musicians, with his fief increased to three thousand households. In the first year of Zhenming, Xiao Cong and the Left Deputy of the Imperial Secretariat, Prince Anping Xiao Yan, Prince Jinxi Xiao Huan, and others, led more than twenty thousand men, women, and children to surrender to Huiji, who welcomed them with his troops. In the same year, for his efforts in receiving the surrender, Huiji was further appointed as Palace Attendant, Golden Purple Grand Master of Splendor, Director of Household Affairs with Equal Rank, General Who Conquers the West, with his fief increased to six thousand households, while his other positions remained unchanged.
The Sui army crossed the Yangtze River, and Marshal Yang Su led his troops from Baxia. Hui Ji sent his generals Lv Zhongsu, Lu Lun, and others to hold the line, but they were defeated. Yang Su took advantage of the victory and seized control of Matou. At the same time, Sui generals Han Qinh and He Ruobi had already crossed the Yangtze River and occupied Jiangshan. Upon hearing this news, Hui Ji left his chief advisor Chen Wensheng and other generals to defend the city, while he led thirty thousand soldiers and over a thousand warships down the Yangtze River, eager to launch a swift attack on Taicheng. When they reached Hankou, they found themselves unable to advance due to the army of Prince Qin (Yang Guang) blocking their path. As a result, he surrendered alongside Xiangzhou Governor Wang Shuwen, Baozhou Governor Bi Bao, and others. After surrendering to the Sui Dynasty, he was granted the title of Yitong Sansi as per regulations. He passed away shortly after. His son was named Zhengping and had some literary talent. Historians note: "The Book of Songs" states, "The ancestral city, do not let the city decay." It also says, "The melons are lush, the vines entwined." The Western Capital (Chang'an) is rich in old friends, and there are many prominent people from Nanyang in the Eastern Capital (Luoyang). What accounts for this?
