Complete Works of Zhang Shizhao

Author: Wang Junxi
Editor:
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-02-01
Features: Mr. Zhang Shizhao was a prominent political activist and scholar in modern Chinese history. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he served as Vice Director and Director of the Central Academy of Arts and Sciences for 22 years. The "Collected Works of Zhang Shizhao" in 10 volumes, nearly 5 million words, includes his major works throughout his life, covering a wide range of fields and disciplines such as philosophy, politics, economics, law, education, journalism, and literary arts. Among them, "Commentaries on the Works of Liu Yuxi" is a major work of Zhang Shizhao in his later years and also one of his most important academic achievements.
Zhang Shizhao (1881–1973) was from Changsha, Hunan. In the late Qing Dynasty, he served as the editor-in-chief of the Shanghai "Su Bao." After the 1911 Revolution, he held positions such as chief editor of the "Minli Bao," professor at Peking University, secretary-general of the Guangdong Military Government, southern representative in the Northern-Southern Peace Conference, and Minister of Justice in the Duan Qirui government. From 1933, he practiced law in Shanghai, becoming a renowned lawyer in the country and serving as the president of Shanghai University of Political Science and Law. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he served as a member of the Legal Committee of the State Council. He authored works such as "Commentaries on the Works of Liu Yuxi."
Zhang Shizhao and Chen Duxiu were close friends during their youth when they studied abroad in Japan. Although they had disagreements in political views and literary styles during the May Fourth Movement, when the "Chen Duxiu Case" was fabricated by the Jiang Jieshi authorities in October 1932, Zhang Shizhao immediately declared his willingness to defend Chen for free, earning him the nickname "a man of ancient virtue." On October 15, 1932, Chen Duxiu was arrested by the Nationalist government. From April 14 to 20, 1933, the Jiangsu Higher Court, using the Criminal Division II of the Jiangning District Court, held three public trials for the case. Chen Duxiu and others jointly appointed Peng Wangye, Wu Zhisheng, and Zhang Shizhao as their defense attorneys, and Chen Duxiu also made a self-defense statement. On April 26, 1933, the court ruled that Chen Duxiu "organized groups with the purpose of endangering the Republic of China and used literature to promote treasonous propaganda, violating Article 2 and Article 6 of the Emergency Regulations for the Punishment of Acts Endangering the Republic of China, and sentenced him to 13 years in prison and the deprivation of civil rights for 15 years." Dissatisfied with the ruling, Chen Duxiu appealed, and public opinion continued to protest. Under pressure from public opinion and other factors, the Nationalist authorities, after the final judgment of the Supreme Court of the Nationalist Party, reduced Chen Duxiu's sentence to eight years in prison.
After the "July 7 Incident" in 1937, Jiang Jieshi was forced to honor his promise to release all political prisoners during the Xi'an Incident, and on August 21, 1939, he ordered the release of Chen Duxiu.
Zhang Shizhao's defense speech and Chen Duxiu's self-defense speech exhibit distinct styles. The latter is bold and straightforward, with unrestrained humor and anger, reflecting the sharpness and vigor of a political fighter. Zhang Shizhao's defense speech, on the other hand, is grounded in law and reason, demonstrating a calm and seasoned demeanor, showcasing the style of a great lawyer.