Cheng Xueqi

Cheng Xueqi (Chinese: 程學啟; courtesy name Fangzhong 方忠; born in Tongcheng, Anhui, (1828–1864) was a general of the Taiping Rebellion who surrendered to the Qing dynasty in 1861 with Ding Ruchang.

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 POW Incident.

Zeng Guofan had been encouraged by Cheng: “You could learn from Zhang Guoliang, who defended the Jiangnan bravely before he died.

Cheng Xuechi was awarded a first class merit medal for retaking Jiangsu and 20 cities and defending Shanghai twice in two years.

It was reported that he was content with his approaching death, finally being able to join his wife and sons in the afterlife (his family had been killed four years earlier by Taiping rebels).