Career
He was an eminent Han Chinese official and a Captain General in the army of the late Qing dynasty. He led the Huai Army to fight effectively against the Taiping rebels and helped to restore the stability of Qing, along with other prominent figures, including Li Hongzhang and Zeng Guofan, setting the scene for the successful defense of Shanghai and the Suzhou Massacre Prisoner Of War Incident. The Tongzhi Emperor praised Cheng as "intelligent and brave".
Go ahead!” This reportedly inspired Cheng to adopt the tactic of attacking whenever and wherever possible.
He retook the cities of Taicang, Kunshan, Wujiang and was promoted to Captain General in May 1863. He also formed the first modern Chinese artillery unit
Li Hongzhang reported to Tongzhi Emperor．
In 1864, after laying siege to the city of Jiaxing for a month, he decided to find a way to end the siege. By utilizing thousands of kilograms of explosives, a breach was opened in the walls.
He ordered his troops to immediately storm the city through the breach.
As he led the charge up the ruined walls, a bullet struck him in the head lieutenant was said that even after being shot he continued the charge. However, after a week he died from his wounds.
When Li Hongzhang reported to the Tongzhi Emperor that Cheng had died, both men began to weep.
