Qing Dynasty artist brought to life in new play

Zheng Xie, also known as Zheng Banqiao, holds a distinctive place in ancient China's art history for his poetry, painting and calligraphy.

Now, A Branch, A Leaf, A Care — Zheng Banqiao, a new play that brings the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911) artist to life, offers a fresh lens on his political career as an upright official.

Told through flashback, the story chronicles Zheng's seven-year tenure as a magistrate in Weifang — then a county in the Qing Dynasty and today a city in Shandong province. It depicts how, when faced with famine, he placed saving lives above protocol by opening the granary before submitting reports to the imperial court — a decisive act needed to avert mass starvation.

The story also highlights his diplomatic skill in persuading wealthy locals to fund the repair of the county's city walls, and his firm resolve to investigate illegal land acquisition by powerful landowners despite formidable resistance.

Following its debut in Beijing earlier this month, the play has launched a nationwide tour, traveling to cities including Weifang, Yantai, and Zibo in Shandong province, as well as Hangzhou in Zhejiang province.