Cheng Jinfang (1718–1784) was a Qing-dynasty poet and scholar. His original name was Cheng Tinghuang; other recorded forms include Tinghuang, Cheng Tingkuang, and Cheng Zhiyao. His zi was Yumen, his hao Jiyuan, and he also used the studio names Sanchangwuzhai, Mianxingtang, Mianxingzhai, and Guihuan. His native place is given as either Jiangdu or Shexian in Anhui; he lived in Yangzhou.
Life
Born into a salt-merchant family, Cheng was the son of Cheng Qianyi; his elder brother was Cheng Yuanheng, his younger brother Cheng Shuxian, and his son Cheng Li. In his youth he consulted Cheng Tingzuo on the meaning of the Classics and studied classical prose with Liu Dakui; he also studied under Zhu Yun and Dai Zhen.
In 1762, the twenty-seventh year of the Qianlong reign, he was summoned for an examination and appointed a clerk in the Grand Secretariat. In 1771, the thirty-sixth year of Qianlong, he became a jinshi and was appointed to the Ministry of Personnel as a zhushi; he had earlier qualified as a provincial recommended candidate, and his jinshi ranking was second class, twenty-fourth. His offices included a zhushi in the Ministry of Personnel’s Verification and Seals Office, a zhushi in its Selection Office, a yuanwailang, a langzhong, a zhushi in the Selection Office, a compiler at the Fanglüe Library, a compiler at the Siku Quanshu Library, a Hanlin compiler, a compiler, a metropolitan-examination co-examiner, a co-examiner, and Fengzheng Dafu; Taizi bin ke is also among his recorded titles.
Devoted to learning, Cheng was also a book collector, received 50,000 books, and paid little attention to earning a livelihood. His hospitality consumed almost all his wealth, and he was poor in later life. He went to Shaanxi in his final years and served in Bi Yuan’s household. He died as a guest in Guanzhong; the place of death is also given as Xi’an Prefecture, and another formulation places it in Bi Yuan’s entourage.
His friends included Liu Taigong, Li Tiaoyuan, Bi Yuan, Wu Yi, Yuan Mei, Jiang Shiquan, Zhao Yi, Lu Yao, and Shang Pan. He traveled with Weng Fanggang, was acquainted with Ji Yun and Ren Dachun, lent books to Qian Daxin, and recommended Ling Tingkan for the special examination. Yuan Mei wrote his tomb inscription.
Works
His writings ranged across the Confucian classics; his attainments in classical learning were considered modest, whereas poetry was his strongest achievement. His classical and bibliographical works included Liji Jishi (20 juan), Zhouyi Zhizhi bian (30 juan), Shangshu Jinwen Shiyi (40 juan), Shangshu Guwen Jielue (6 juan), Shangshu Jizhu, Zuozhuan Tongjie, Chunqiu Zuozhuan Yishu (32 juan), Shi Mao Zheng Yitong kao (10 juan), Zhujing Dawen (12 juan), Guihuan Shumu (2 juan), Zhengxue Lun (7 juan), and Qunshu Tibai (6 juan).
His literary works included Mianxingtang ji, Mianxingtang wenji (6 juan), Mianxingtang shiji, Mianxingzhai wen (10 juan), Jiyuan quanji, Jiyuan shi (30 juan), and Jiyuan shiwen ji.
References
- CBDB Cheng Jinfang (65833)
- 搜韵 程晉芳 (68311)
- Wikidata Cheng Jinfang (Q5091225)