Zhao Ying-cheng’s (1619–1657) Hebrew name was Moshe ben Abram. His father was Zhao Guang-yu (赵光裕). He had three younger brothers, Zhao Ying-dou (赵映斗), Zhao Ying-kui (赵映魁), and Zhao Ying-pu (赵映甫).

He was born in 1619. In 1645, just three years after the big flood, he passed the Imperial Examinations for Master’s Degree (举人); one year later, he received a Doctorate Degree (进士), the highest title ever achieved by a Kaifeng Jew. In 1657, he passed away at the young age of 38.

Zhao Ying-cheng achieved the highest level in the civil service by any Jew in Chinese history; he held the Imperial Position of First Degree of Fifth Rank.

According to Professor Donald D. Leslie (1922–2020), Zhao was “the most successful of the Kaifeng Jews in Chinese society.” He was also the only Jewish person to have a biography in a Provincial Gazetteer.

In addition, Zhao was a prominent and respected leader in the Kaifeng Jewish community.

After achieving his Doctorate Degree (进士), Zhao Ying-cheng became a Director in the Ministry of Justice and Punishment (刑部郎中) in the newly established Great Qing Dynasty.

Zhao's primary responsibility included enforcing the Imperial Decree that required the Han Chinese to accept the Manchu Tonsure, a sign of respect and submission to the new rulers.

After four months in Fujian Province, Zhao Ying-cheng (赵映承) was promoted by the Ministry of Justice and Punishment (刑部); his new position was the Assistant Commander of the Zhangnan Route (漳南道) Army.

By the time Zhao arrived at his post, it was already near the end of the year. Zhao took the suppression of local bandits Zhang En-xuan (张恩选) and Su Rong-shu (苏荣术) as his number one priority. The people under his jurisdiction, especially in Ku Zhu Xi village (苦竹溪村), were pillaged by the bandits who burned and looted their property.

Zhao drew 30 volumes of Charts of the Suffering People (劫难图) to appeal to the peasantry and government officials' emotional and sympathetic feelings. He was successful in conjuring up their support. Zhao was able to unite the villages' peasant militia and gain full support from Major He Guo-xiang (贺国相) in launching a direct attack on the bandits’ base.

The bandits were trapped and executed. Having suppressed a significant threat to the livelihoods of his people, Zhao was commended highly for this accomplishment. Zhao was also a firm believer in scholarship. He purchased a piece of land to the west of his office and commissioned the construction of a school. He hired the best teachers he could find as he was a big supporter of education for the laity.

As an official in this far-away province, Zhao was no longer a practising Jew; he had integrated almost entirely into the local Han Chinese culture.

Zhao maintained the position of Assistant Surveillance Commissioner for less than three years before he had to return to Kaifeng to observe a three-year mourning period for his deceased mother, as per Confucian tradition.

A short piece was written about Zhao Ying-cheng (1619–1657) in the Shang-hang District Gazetteer (上杭县志). The article concerned itself with his efforts in suppressing insurrectionist movements.

Shang-hang District was located in Fujian Province, where Zhao Ying-cheng served as a government official.