Chen Cheng

Chen Cheng, the word Ci Xiu, is known as Shi Lao. Born on January 4, 1898 in Qingtian County, Zhejiang Province, he successively attended Gaoshi Primary School, Lishui Zhejiang Provincial No. 11th Middle School and Zhejiang Provincial No. 11th Normal School. He graduated in 1917. Chen Chengjing, who was 20 years old, married Wu's sister Wu Shunlian through the media of his fellow classmate Wu Ziqi.

Later, he went north to find a job through Hangzhou to join then-Congressman Du Zhiyuan (fellow villager), who was the representative of Beijing. In 1919, Chen Cheng borrowed a diploma from Chuzhou Middle School and pretended to apply for the Baoding Army Officer Academy. However, due to poor test scores and short stature, he could not be admitted. Later, Du Zhiyuan approached Wei Zonghan, director of the Military Studies Department of the Army Department and chief examiner, and entered the eighth artillery department of Baoding Military Academy in the name of preparing students. After the outbreak of the Zhi-Anhui War, the military academy was suspended. He went south to Guangzhou, served in the 3rd Regiment of the 1st Division of the newly built Guangdong Army, and joined the China Kuomintang in 1920. Soon, Baoding Military Academy resumed classes and returned to school to continue studies. After graduating from Baoding Military Academy in 1922, he was assigned to the 6th Regiment of the 2nd Division of Zhejiang as a second lieutenant and platoon leader.

In March 1923, Chen Cheng followed Deng Yanda to Guangdong to participate in the revolution. He served as a captain and adjutant in the 3rd Regiment of the 1st Division of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, led by Deng. He was transferred to the captain and company commander, responsible for guarding the Grand Marshal's Office. In May, Chen Cheng accompanied Sun Yat-sen to the Shen Hongying rebels in Xijiang River. He was injured in the chest during the battle. Fortunately, Deng Yanda personally led his troops to rescue him and escaped danger. While he was recuperating and treating at Zhaoqing Hospital, Chiang Kai-shek, chief of staff of the Grand Marshal's camp, came to the hospital to express condolences to the injured. This was the first contact between Chen Cheng and Chiang Kai-shek in a hurry.

In January 1924, he served as company commander of the artillery company. In September, he participated in the second Eastern Expedition and bombarded Huizhou City. He achieved military achievements and was promoted to major and battalion commander of the Second Artillery Battalion. In June, Whampoa Military Academy was officially established. Chen Cheng was cited by Deng Yanda, deputy director of the school's coaching department, and deputy captain of the student team. In September, he was transferred to the school as a special captain (i.e., waiting officer), serving as an education adjutant. The following year, the school set up an artillery department. Since Chen Cheng was born in the artillery department of Baoding Military Academy, he was appointed as an instructor of the artillery department and the captain of the artillery team.

When Chen Cheng was in charge of Taiwan, he had political achievements in various aspects of people's livelihood, military affairs, and economy. He played a great role in stabilizing the rule of the National Government of the Republic of China in Taiwan. The Taiwanese people called him Chen Chengbo. Chen Cheng was a close confidant of Chiang Kai-shek and one of Chiang Kai-shek's confidants in power since the establishment of the Whampoa Military Academy. He was known as the junior chairman. The faction led by Chen Cheng within the National Army of the Republic of China is also known as the Civil Engineering Department.