Jiang Shufeng

Jiang Shufeng, male, Han ethnicity, was born on June 7, 1914, in Yangzhou, Jiangsu, and passed away on November 3, 1993, at the age of 79. His original name was Jiang Shibo, courtesy name Dacheng. He was the youngest in his family. Among his family members, his elder brother Jiang Shangqing was once referred to as "Seventh Brother." During his childhood, he attended Qionghua Guan Primary School in Yangzhou together with his elder brother. His father was Jiang Shixi, from Jiangwan Village, Wuyuan County, Huizhou, Anhui Province. The family also had two brothers who died young and an older sister who also died early.

In his youth, Jiang Shufeng and his elder brother Jiang Shangqing, along with friend Chen Su, formed a resistance and anti-Japanese salvation group, actively promoting anti-Japanese ideas. In 1933, he graduated from Wusong Public School's Department of Economics and then taught at Tianchang County Middle School. In 1936, he co-founded the magazine "Writing and Reading" with Jiang Shangqing and others, serving as its editor. After the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War, he joined the County Cultural World Salvation Association's mobile propaganda team, touring places such as Liu’an, Ying Shang, and Xishui to carry out anti-Japanese propaganda and organize local people.

After the full outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War in 1937, Jiang Shufeng and his elder brother Jiang Shangqing participated together in the "Jiangdu County Cultural World Salvation Association’s Mobile Propaganda Team," spreading anti-Japanese sentiment in Hefei, Liu’an, Dabi Mountain area, Shangcheng, and Xishui. In 1941, he was in charge of the "Southeast Morning Post" (also known as the "Jianghaibao"), which was published following the Eastward Advance of the New Fourth Army. Around 1949, he returned to Yangzhou Middle School as a teacher, and later taught at Tongzhou Normal School, private schools in Shanghai, and Meihan Middle School, until the country's liberation.

After the founding of New China, Jiang Shufeng participated in establishing Yangzhou Normal University in 1955, becoming one of its first teachers and teaching Chinese language. In his later years, he moved to Beijing, dedicating himself to poetry creation and research, publishing numerous works including "Menghan Poetry Anthology" and "The Benefits of Water Margin." His poetry and lyrics earned him the nickname "Mr. Jiang." His works are characterized by richness in content and diverse styles. His poetry featured themes like the rising sun, profound imagery, adept use of allusions, and delicate craftsmanship, capable of expressing different levels of imagery from broad perspectives to detailed nuances.

In academic and cultural circles, Jiang Shufeng served as the director of the Foreign Literature Teaching and Research Office of the Chinese Department at Yangzhou Normal College, was a standing committee member of the Jiangsu Provincial Democratic League, director of the Yangzhou Democratic League, vice-chairman of the municipal CPPCC, a standing committee member of the Jiangsu Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles, a council member of the Jiangsu Writers Association, vice-secretary-general of the Chinese Poetry Society, and deputy director of its academic committee. He was also one of the founders of "Oriental Culture" magazine and a council member of the China Peaceful Reunification Promotion Association. He also achieved accomplishments in calligraphy, painting, and cultural studies.

Throughout his life, Jiang Shufeng deeply loved his hometown, often praising Yangzhou and its water conservancy projects through poetry. His works such as "Yangzhou Slow – Inscribing New Scenic Views of the Twenty-Four Bridges" and the ci poem "Drunken East Wind – Praising the Yangdu Water Conservancy Hub Project" reflect his love for his hometown and country. Jiang Shufeng died in Beijing on November 3, 1993, at the age of 79, leaving a rich literary and cultural legacy.