Zheng Zaoru (Cheng Tsao Ju)

Zheng Zaoru, known in Washington as Cheng Tsao Ju, entered official life through the provincial examinations and served on the staffs of Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang. This work brought him into the administration of foreign affairs before his appointment to the United States, Spain, and Peru in 1881. In Washington he opposed the proposal to exclude Chinese laborers for twenty years and sought a presidential veto. ¹

After the Rock Springs massacre in 1885, Zheng organized an investigation through consular representatives. On September 11 he informed the State Department that Frederick Bee, Huang Sih Chuen, and Tseng Hoy would travel to Wyoming. He requested letters that would help them obtain military protection and cooperation while they investigated the killings and losses. ²

Ill health brought Zheng back to China in 1886. He remained interested in public affairs: in 1890, Sun Yat-sen addressed a letter to him advocating agricultural improvement, education, and restrictions on opium. ¹