Li Zhengzhong
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Li Zhengzhong | |
|---|---|
 Li in 2010 | |
| Born | 1921 |
| Died | February 23, 2020 |
| Occupation | Author, novelist, editor, calligrapher |
| Years active | 1937–1955; 1979–2020 |
| Spouse | Zhang Xingjuan (1941; died 2012) |
Li Zhengzhong (Chinese: 李正中; 16 April, 1921 – February 23, 2020), sometimes known by his pen names Ke Ju and Wei Changming was an ethnic-Chinese Manchukuoan author, calligrapher, jurist, attorney,[1] and novelist based in Manchukuo.[2] Li was married to fellow author Zhang Xingjuan, together they were considered one of the "Northeast's four famous husband-wife writers".[2]
Li Zhengzhong was born on 16 April, 1921, in Yitong County, Jilin.[2] From a young age, his mother encouraged him to recite Tang Dynasty poetry.[2] He attended Jilin City No.1 Middle School.[3] At the age of sixteen he published his first collection of writings, Yu Yin guan shi cun (Yu Yin Pavilion Poems), which is considered to be a lost literary work. Some poems from the text were recovered through local newspapers published in Manchukuo.[4] He then attended Datong University (now Utopia University) in Shanghai from 1939 to 1941, earning a law degree.[2][4] Li published two more poetry collections, Native Place Yearning and Qiyue (July), both written during his time at university.[4] By 1945, Li published four more books; Wuxian zhi sheng wuxian zhi lü (Unlimited Life, Unlimited Travel), Sun (Bamboo), Chuntian yi zhu cao (A Blade of Spring Grass), and Lu huo (Furnace Fire).[2][4] A second edition of Qiyue was published in 1946.[4] While in Manchukuo, Li worked as a judge in a Chinese court and pursued writing, editing, and calligraphy.[4] He defended Liang Su-yung from treason charges.[1]
Later career
After World War II, Li worked as a newspaper editor for Dongbei wenxue (Northeast Literature) and Guangfu ribao (Recovery Daily). The new Communist government sentenced Li to six months in prison for his Manchukuo career.[2] After being released he joined the People's Liberation Army and had stopped writing in 1955.[2] During the 1950s and 1960s he worked various positions at a factory in Shenyang, including as a teacher and a labor organizer.[4] Li was condemned as an anti-revolutionary by a court in 1969, and was exiled to rural Liaoning alongside his wife, three children, and father.[2][4]
The Chinese Communist Party reversed it's ruling on writers in 1978 and Li's family returned to Shenyang the following year.[4] Li's calligraphy was exhibitioned across China and in Canada, England, and Taiwan.[2][4]