His portrait was on display in Lingyan Pavilion along with those of another 23 officials who rendered meritorious service to the Tang Empire during the reign of Emperor Taizong.

His grandfather, Cheng Zhe (程哲), also served as a Major in Huang Prefecture (黃州; around present-day Hengyang, Hunan) under the Northern Qi regime.

Cheng Yaojin fought his way through enemy lines, rescued Pei Xingyan, brought him onto horseback and rode off.

Cheng Yaojin told Li Shimin, "Great Prince, if you lose your left and right arms, you will not survive long.

During Emperor Taizong's reign, Cheng Yaojin served as the Grand Viceroy of Lu Prefecture (瀘州; around present-day Luzhou, Sichuan) and "Left Commanding Senior General" (左領軍大將軍).

His ducal title was later changed to "Duke of Lu" (盧國公) and he was appointed as the Prefect of Pu Prefecture (普州; around present-day Ziyang, Sichuan).

[9] Emperor Taizong ordered the artist Yan Liben to paint life-sized portraits of Cheng Yaojin and another 23 officials who rendered meritorious service to the Tang Empire.

Cheng Yaojin was stripped of his military command after he returned from the campaign, but was later appointed as the Prefect of Qi Prefecture (岐州; around present-day Baoji, Shaanxi).

He was posthumously honoured as "Senior General of Chariots and Cavalry" (驃騎大將軍) and Grand Viceroy of Yi Prefecture (益州; covering parts of the Sichuan basin).

Cheng Chuliang married Emperor Taizong's daughter, Princess Qinghe (清河公主), and held the positions of Chief Commandant of Escorting Cavalry (駙馬都尉) and Left Guard General of the Household (左衛中郎將).

The tombstone was unearthed in 1986 and bore the heading "Tomb of the Late Lord Cheng, Senior General of Chariots and Cavalry and Duke of Lu of the Great Tang Empire".

Cheng Yaojin is often depicted in Chinese folklore and popular culture as a somewhat inept and bumbling warrior who sometimes shows up at the right place and right time to save the day.