[citation needed] At school, Tan Zheng became friends with his future fellow revolutionary and brother-in-law Chen Geng.

Tan determined to study in the Dong Shan School, when he was able to enroll though the recommendation of his friend Chen Geng.

[citation needed] His father arranged for Tan Zheng to study at Chen Geng's place at the age of ten.

[citation needed] Under the influence of his wife's brother, General Chen Geng, Tan gave up civilian pursuits to join the army.

During the Chinese Civil War, Tan was the director of the Political Department in the Northeast Democratic Coalition.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Tan Zheng served as the first deputy director of the PLA General Political Department.

He was promoted to general in 1955 and was granted the People's Liberation Army Red Star of Merit Medal in 1988.

[4] Tan Zheng wrote “On the political work of the revolutionary army” and “On the enemy purpose and policy” during the Second Sino-Japanese War.

After modifications of Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, and the approval of the Central Committee, the work was promulgated in the Northwest Board meeting of senior cadres.

[5] After the founding of the PRC, Tan Zheng became the deputy director of the People's Liberation Army General Political Department, the director, deputy secretary of defense, and the member of the Standing Committee of the CCP Central Military commission.

In November 1956, Tan attended The Eighth National People's Congress and was elected as Secretary of the 8th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.

During the Cultural Revolution, he was held in prison for nine years, but was released after Mao inquired as to his whereabouts during a Central Military Commission report by Ye Jianying and Deng Xiaoping.