Li Zhengzhong was born on 16 April, 1921, in
Yitong County,
Jilin. 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. He then attended
Datong University (now Utopia University) in
Shanghai from 1939 to 1941, earning a law degree. Li published two more poetry collections,
Native Place Yearning and
Qiyue (July), both written during his time at university. 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). A second edition of
Qiyue was published in 1946. While in Manchukuo, Li worked as a judge in a Chinese court and pursued writing, editing, and calligraphy. He defended
Liang Su-yung from treason charges. == Later career ==