In 1864, after laying siege to the city of Jiaxing for a month, he decided to find a way to end the siege. By utilizing thousands of kilograms of explosives, a breach was opened in the walls. He ordered his troops to immediately storm the city through the breach. As he led the charge up the ruined walls, a bullet struck him in the head. It was said that even after being shot he continued the charge. However, after a week he died from his wounds. It was reported that he was content with his approaching death, finally being able to join his wife and sons in the afterlife (his family had been killed four years earlier by Taiping rebels). When Li Hongzhang reported to the Tongzhi Emperor that Cheng had died, both men began to weep.