Zheng Xie was born and lived much of his life in Xinghua, a town near Yangzhou. Because he frequently and openly wrote of his life and emotions, much is known of his biography. Although born into a poor family, as a youth Zheng Xie read widely and studied diligently. Between 1714 and 1736 he successfully passed all levels of the civil examinations, which culminated in the prized jinshi degree. After serving as magistrate of Fanxian in Shandong province, Zheng Xie distinguished himself when he was appointed magistrate of the famine-ridden city of Weixian. His bold measures of throwing open the grain storehouses and compelling the rich to share some of their wealth saved many people and won him a reputation for efficiency and compassion. Eventually he retired in 1753 to Xinghua where he continued to pursue painting and poetry, often to his regret for pay, which he considered boring and demeaning. However, his artistic success was such that he was counted in the ranks of the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou.