Zheng Yuqing - During Emperor Shunzong's, Emperor Xianzong's, and Emperor Muzong's Reigns

During Emperor Shunzong's, Emperor Xianzong's, and Emperor Muzong's Reigns

Emperor Dezong died in 805 and was succeeded by his son Emperor Shunzong. Emperor Shunzong immediately issued an edict several important officials that Emperor Dezong had exiled — Zheng Yuqing, Lu Zhi, Han Gao (韓皐), and Yang Cheng (陽城) (although Lu and Yang died before the edict could reach them). Zheng was made Shangshu Zuo Cheng (尚書左丞), one of the secretaries general of the executive bureau (尚書省, Shangshu Sheng). Later in the year, after Emperor Shunzong, who was seriously ill, passed the throne to his son Emperor Xianzong, Zheng was again made chancellor with the designation Tong Zhongshu Menxia Pingzhangshi.

In 806, when Yang Huilin (楊惠琳) the nephew of Han Quanyi (韓全義) the military governor of Xiasui Circuit (夏綏, headquartered in modern Yulin, Shaanxi), seized the circuit after Han was recalled to Chang'an, Emperor Xianzong was discussing with the chancellors how to react. When Zheng submitted suggestions, he invoked an ancient saying that stated that soldiers of Xiasui's capital prefecture Xia Prefecture relied on county officials, which confused the other officials, and they believed that while Zheng was scholarly in ancient matters that he did not have skills to deal with the current emergency. Further, at that time, there was a senior secretary at the legislative bureau, Hua Huan (滑渙), who was closely associating with the powerful eunuch Liu Guangqi (劉光琦) such that whatever Hua suggested, due to his seniority and powerful connections, the other chancellors Du You and Zheng Yin would usually not dare to oppose it. Zheng, however, was displeased that Hua was overstepping his authorities and rebuked him. As a result, Zheng was removed from his chancellor position in summer 806 and made an advisor to the crown prince. However, when Hua was found to be corrupt later that year and executed, Emperor Dezong, finding out that Zheng had rebuked Hua previously, was pleased with Zheng and made him Guozi Jijiu (國子祭酒), the principal of the imperial university, and soon made him the mayor of Henan Municipality (河南, i.e., the eastern capital Luoyang). In 808, Zheng was made the defender of Luoyang.

It was said that because both times that Zheng was removed from his chancellor position were not due to major faults of his, his opinion continued to carry great weight. Around that time, there was an incident where the officials Yuan Yifang (元義方) and Lu Tan (盧坦) both requested to have ceremonial ji placed at their gates, and both requests were approved, even though such honors were then reserved for officials of greater accomplishment. When Zheng visited Chang'an and expressed the opinion that such decorations were inappropriate, the officials who approved the requests, Lu Ze (陸則) and Cui Bei (崔備) were both fined, and the ji were removed from Yuan and Lu's gates.

In 811, when Emperor Xianzong's crown prince Li Ning died, Emperor Xianzong put Zheng in charge of drafting a mourning text for Li Ning, and it was said that Zheng wrote appropriately. Around that time, a physician named Cui Huan (崔環) was given a promotion from being a low-level military officer to be the military advisor to a prefect. Zheng vehemently opposed, believing that it was too great of a promotion for someone who did not have great contributions. His words were so stern that they offended the officials in power at the time, and he was made an advisor to the new crown prince Li Heng, also acting at the minister of worship (太常卿, Taichang Qing). While serving there, he restored the use of drums in the palace music. (The use of drums had been discontinued since the rebellions of Zhu Ci and Li Huaiguang during Emperor Dezong's reign, to avoid alarming the people of Chang'an.)

In 814, Zheng was made the military governor of Shannan West Circuit as well as the mayor of its capital Xingyuan Municipality (興元). In 817, he was recalled to Chang'an to again serve as Li Heng's advisor, and soon he requested to retire; Emperor Xianzong declined. Around that time, because Emperor Xianzong had issued multiple mass promotions of officials, it was said that high ranks were becoming overly granted. Emperor Xianzong had Zheng draft regulations that would reduce the excessive promotions. In 818, Zheng was made Zuo Pushe (左僕射), one of the heads of the executive bureau. It was said that for a long time, there had not been appropriate officials serving as the heads of the executive bureau, and that after Zheng was named to that post, the people were impressed. As Zheng was familiar with old regulations, Emperor Xianzong also put him in charge of revising the regulations on the rites. Later, Zheng was made the military governor of Fengxiang Circuit (鳳翔, headquartered in modern Baoji, Shaanxi) as well as the mayor of its capital, Fengxiang Municipality.

In 819, Zheng was again made an advisor to Li Heng, as well as acting Sikong (司空, one of the Three Excellencies). He was also created the Duke of Yingyang and made acting principal of the imperial university. At that time, the facilities of the imperial university had long been in disrepair, and at Zheng's request, its facilities at Chang'an and Luoyang were repaired.

In 820, Emperor Xianzong died, and Li Heng succeeded him (as Emperor Muzong). Emperor Muzong, as Zheng had long served him, particularly honored him. Zheng died around the new year 821 and was given posthumous honors. It was said that Zheng was frugal and honest throughout his official career, and that at the time of death, he lacked savings. Emperor Muzong thus gave a special stipend to his family members to honor Zheng. Zheng's grandson Zheng Congdang later served as a chancellor during the reign of Emperor Xizong.