Tianchengheng was also one of the five Wei associates. In 1862, the rebellion of Taiping army in southern China had not yet been put down,Shanxi and Ningxia were also cut up in the war, northwest China was in chaos. Tianchengheng's business was mainly in northwest China.

Due to the constant warfare, it was very difficult to carry on the business, it was on the verge of bankruptcy. With the help of Hou Wangbin, who has been working in Wei associates for 10 years, Tianchengheng rose miraculously again in just a few years.