When Wang Jingwei Was Arrested

編輯 EditorAbout the books

Wang Jingwei's draft of autobiography, page 13

When officials asked Wang Jingwei why his essays “Trend of Revolution,” “Determination for Revolution,” and “A Farewell letter” were sewn into the lining of his coat, he responded: “These essays were first written with ink, now I want to write them in blood.” Page 13 of Wang Jingwei’s draft of an autobiography, in Wang Jingwei: His Life, Ideas and Beliefs (page 218)

Wang Jingwei & Modern China reveals intimate details about Wang Jingwei’s 1910 plot against the Prince Regent Zai Feng’s life through Wang’s writings for the first time (see Wang Jingwei: His Life, Ideas and Beliefs, pp.19-21, 212-218) .

While the failed assassination attempt is familiar to many, the draft of an autobiography reproduced in Wang Jingwei: His Life, Ideas and Beliefs (on pages 21-24, 212-224) and Wang Jingwei Nanshe Poetry (on pages 22, 43-44, 60, 78-82, 86-88) present little-known firsthand accounts. They include Wang’s descriptions about his arrest and trials; conversations with officials, prison guards and fellow prisoners; conditions of his imprisonment, what he ate, how he spent his time; observations and analysis of the different classes of prisoners; circumstances of his release, and what he did after leaving prison.

Although Wang Jingwei rose to fame as a national hero, and his poem〈被逮口占〉(see Wang Jingwei Poetry - Newly Edited, p.7) “Impromptu Verses Upon My Arrest” became one of the most recited poems in China at that time, Wang Jingwei’s just-published handwritten manuscripts provide a rare glimpse of prison life during the late Qing period, 110 years ago, through the eyes of a prisoner. They also contribute to a more complete understanding of Wang and his poetry; it was during his time in prison that Wang began writing his poetry collection Shuangzhaolou shicigao, published in Wang Jingwei Poetry - Newly Edited

Many similar discoveries can be found by analyzing the original manuscripts and materials in all the books in the Wang Jingwei & Modern China series. 

Wang Jingwei was imprisoned in Beijing for almost two years, and heard many stories from the prison guards.WANG JINGWEI NANSHE POETRY, page 78