1. Life
Cheng Bing's early life and educational pursuits laid the foundation for his distinguished career in scholarship and public service, navigating the turbulent period at the close of the Han dynasty.
1.1. Early Life and Background
Cheng Bing was from Nandun County (南頓縣Chinese), located in Runan Commandery (汝南郡Chinese), which corresponds to the west of present-day Xiangcheng City, Henan province. During the widespread chaos that erupted towards the end of the Han dynasty, Cheng Bing, like many scholars of his time, sought refuge from the turmoil by relocating to Jiaozhou (交州Chinese) in southern China.
1.2. Education and Scholarship
In his early years, Cheng Bing became a student of the renowned Confucian scholar Zheng Xuan (鄭玄Chinese). After his relocation to Jiaozhou, he continued to deepen his academic understanding by studying under Liu Xi (劉熙Chinese). Liu Xi, also known by his courtesy name Cheng'guo (成國Chinese), was a scholar from Beihai Commandery who served as the Administrator of Nan'an Commandery and was a significant figure in *hunxu* (訓詁學xùn gǔ xuéChinese), a field focused on explaining the sounds, forms, and meanings of ancient Chinese characters. Under Liu Xi's tutelage, Cheng Bing significantly advanced his knowledge, becoming exceptionally well-versed in the Five Classics. His comprehensive understanding of these foundational texts earned him a reputation as a highly learned Confucian scholar, a master of classical studies, and a leading intellectual of his generation.
2. Career in Eastern Wu
Cheng Bing's career progressed from local administration to a significant role within the burgeoning state of Eastern Wu, where he applied his scholarly expertise to advising the imperial family.
2.1. Service under Shi Xie
While residing in Jiaozhou, Cheng Bing's academic prowess was recognized by Shi Xie (士燮Chinese), the Administrator of Jiaozhi Commandery (交趾郡Chinese). Shi Xie appointed Cheng Bing to the position of Chief Clerk (長史zhǎngshǐChinese), marking Cheng Bing's initial foray into official service.
2.2. Service under Sun Quan
In the early 220s, Sun Quan (孫權Chinese), the future founding emperor of Eastern Wu, became aware of Cheng Bing's fame as a distinguished Confucian scholar. Recognizing his talent, Sun Quan sent an envoy to Jiaozhou to formally invite Cheng Bing to join his administration. Cheng Bing accepted the invitation and, upon his arrival in Jiangdong, was appointed as the Crown Prince's Tutor (太子太傅Tàizǐ TàifùChinese), a testament to Sun Quan's high regard for his scholarship. Although the exact date of his death is not recorded, historical inferences suggest that Cheng Bing died in office sometime before 242 CE, as Kan Ze (闞澤Chinese) was appointed to the position of Crown Prince's Tutor in that year.
2.3. Role in Sun Deng's Wedding
In 225 CE, during the fourth year of the Huangwu era, Sun Quan arranged the marriage of his heir apparent, Crown Prince Sun Deng (孫登Chinese), to the daughter of the esteemed general Zhou Yu (周瑜Chinese). Cheng Bing was entrusted with a significant role in these important ceremonies; he was designated as the Minister of Ceremonies (太常TàichángChinese) and was responsible for overseeing the wedding reception in Wu Commandery (吳郡Chinese), an area encompassing parts of present-day Suzhou, Jiangsu. Sun Quan himself boarded Cheng Bing's ship during the festivities, personally demonstrating his profound respect and favorable treatment towards the scholar.
Following the wedding, Cheng Bing took the opportunity to offer solemn advice to Crown Prince Sun Deng regarding the sanctity of marriage and its broader implications for governance. He emphasized the importance of upholding Confucian rituals and education even within the private confines of the imperial household, stating:
"Marriage is the beginning of human ethics and the foundation of royal education. Therefore, the sagely kings valued it, leading the common people and transforming the world through customs. The Book of Odes praises 'Guan Ju' (關雎Chinese) as its beginning. I hope the Crown Prince will uphold ritual and education even in his private chambers, remembering the verses of 'Zhou Nan' (周南Chinese), so that moral transformation flourishes above, and praises arise below."
Sun Deng, appreciative of the advice, responded with a smile, saying, "To follow what is good and correct what is bad is truly what I rely on from you, Tutor."
3. Scholarly Works
Throughout his life, Cheng Bing dedicated himself to scholarship and left behind a body of written work that further cemented his reputation as a classical authority. He authored three major works, collectively comprising over 30,000 characters. These include:
- Selections from the Book of Changes (周易摘Zhōuyì ZhāiChinese)
- Discussions on the Book of History (尚書駮Shàngshū BóChinese)
- Guide to the Analects (論語弼Lúnyǔ BìChinese)
These works served as commentaries and interpretations of core Confucian classics, reflecting his deep engagement with the academic traditions of his time.
4. Death
Cheng Bing died while in office due to illness. Specific details regarding the circumstances or exact date of his passing are not extensively recorded in historical texts. However, it is inferred that his death occurred prior to 242 CE, the year in which Kan Ze succeeded him in the role of Crown Prince's Tutor.
5. Evaluation and Legacy
Cheng Bing's scholarship and character were recognized by his contemporaries and later historians. Chen Shou (陳壽Chinese), the author of the authoritative Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi), offered a concise assessment of Cheng Bing, evaluating him as a leading scholar of his generation, on par with figures such as Yan Jun (嚴畯Chinese) and Kan Ze (闞澤Chinese).
A unique aspect of Cheng Bing's historical record is that he is one of the very few individuals included with a dedicated biography in the Records of the Three Kingdoms who is not mentioned elsewhere within the comprehensive text. This particularity highlights that while he was deemed significant enough for his own account, his direct influence or interaction with other documented events or figures outside of his specific roles was not broadly recorded, making his legacy primarily tied to his scholarly contributions and official appointments under Sun Quan.
6. Portrayal in Popular Culture
Cheng Bing is also featured in the historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms by Luo Guanzhong (羅貫中Chinese), which dramatically re-tells the history of the Three Kingdoms period. In the novel, his characterization often deviates from historical accounts for narrative effect.
He makes an appearance in Chapter 38 of the novel as one of the wise individuals who gathered to serve Sun Quan after Sun Ce's death. Later, during the crucial lead-up to the Battle of Red Cliffs, Cheng Bing is depicted as advocating for Eastern Wu's surrender to Cao Cao (曹操Chinese). He engages in a debate with Zhuge Liang (諸葛亮Chinese), the strategist of Liu Bei, but is quickly outmaneuvered and defeated in the verbal exchange. Zhuge Liang famously retorts to Cheng Bing's critique, asserting: "Scholars come in two types: noblemen and petty men. Noble scholars are loyal to their lord and love their country, uphold righteousness, despise evil, benefit the public, and leave a lasting name. Petty scholars merely polish their prose and toil at their pens; though young they compose *fu*, and old they read classics, their writings may number a thousand words but they have no real strategies in their hearts. Look at Yang Xiong, famed for his literary skill, who humbled himself to serve Wang Mang and then threw himself from a tower to his death. This is a petty scholar; what good is it to write ten thousand verses a day!" This sharp rebuke leaves Cheng Bing speechless.
Furthermore, during the Battle of Yiling, when Sun Quan's forces faced initial difficulties against Liu Bei's vengeful army, Cheng Bing is sent as an envoy, following the advice of Bu Zhi (步騭Chinese), to seek peace. He attempts to placate Liu Bei by returning the heads of Zhang Fei's assassins, Fan Jiang (范疆Chinese) and Zhang Da (張達Chinese). However, Liu Bei, still consumed by fury and grief over Zhang Fei's death, refuses the overture and even contemplates executing Cheng Bing. After being dissuaded by his officials, Liu Bei spares the envoy, but Cheng Bing is portrayed as fleeing back to Wu in great fear.