In 1921, he, Mao Dun, Jiang Baili, Geng Jizhi (耿濟之), and others organized the Literary Study Society (文學研究會; Wenxue yanjiu hui).

In addition, he in succession participated in editing Min Chao (閩潮), Xin Shehui (新社會), Wenxue Xunkan (文學旬刊).

After the establishment of the People's Republic of China, he was assigned to be head of the Cultural Relic Bureau (文物局), Director of the Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and literary research institute, the assistant minister of cultural department, committee member of State Council scientific program committee and Chinese Academy of Science philosophical social sciences, the vice-chairman of Chinese folk literature and art research council, etc.

In 1919, he helped publish two magazines called "New Society" (新社會; Xin Shehui) and "National Salvation Speeches Weekly" (救國講演周報; Jiuguo jiangyan zhoubao).

In May 1921, Zheng helped set up a drama society called "Demotic Opera Troupe" (民眾戲劇社; Minzhong Xiju She) with Mao Dun, Ye Shengtao, Chen Dabei, Ouyang Yuqian, Xiong Foxi and other writers.

In April 1927, Chiang Kai-shek launched a sudden attack on thousands of suspected Communists in the area he controlled.

In October 1945, he founded a weekly magazine called Democracy (民主) to oppose the civil war and Chiang Kai-shek's pro-American policy.

Due to the invasion of Japanese troops, Shanghai was besieged starting from 1937 and many significant cultural assets were lost.

Disguising himself as a staff member in a stationery store, named Chan Sixun (陳思訓), he managed to save many aged books from damage or loss to the outside world.

Together with some classmates including Zhong Tao (仲陶), he got a first taste of editing in starting a publication named Jiuguo Jiangyan Zhoukan (救國講演周刊).

As one of the founders of a youth magazine, Xin Shehui (新社會), Zheng aimed at criticizing the Beijing government.

On top of criticizing, he wanted to make good use of the New Culture Movement to publicize and promote new social ideals for the Chinese future development.

Chen Duxiu suggested that Xin Shehui could be edited with a more approachable style accepted by the general public.

The magazine was finally published on 1 November 1919 throughout China, arousing tides of attention from the public, especially amongst the young readers.

In addition, he established Literary Study Society (文學研究會; Wenxue Yanjiu Hui) with Mao Dun and Ye Shengtao in November 1920.

In June 1925, he founded a newspaper called Kongli Ribao (公理日報) with Wu Yuzhi and Ye Shengtao in Shanghai.

Also, he contributed in various newspapers like Jiuguo Jiangyan Zhoubao (救國講演周報) and Xinxue Bao (新學報) to awaken Chinese people from old traditions.

In a second edition of Greek Mythology published after the creation of the People's Republic, his introduction included Karl Marx's well-known A Contribution to the Critique of Political Economy.

As the previous newspapers and magazines were banned by the government, Zheng believed that a proper established literature union would make things run easier.

In January 1921, he established Wenxue Yanjiu Hui (Literary Study Society 文學研究會), which literally means literature research union, with Mao Dun, Ye Shengtao and 12 other people in the related field.

Under the influence of the May Fourth Movement, he thought that the major responstility of the Chinese Literature was to inspire youngsters' revolutionary mission in order to strengthen the power of China.

For example, he used his pen name, Bao Fun, to write Yuenqu Xulu (元曲敍錄) in the Novel Monthly (小說月報).