In December 1949, just two months after the founding of the People's Republic of China, a shocking criminal case occurred in the Bethune Peace Hospital in Shijiazhuang. On that day, a Japanese doctor in the hospital, Tsu Ze Katsu, was found lying in a pool of blood, losing signs of life, and the public security organs quickly intervened in the investigation, and soon locked up the murderer, which was jaw-dropping, and the murderer turned out to be a patient hospitalized here, named Sha Fei.
Sha Fei, a man whose name hides countless stories. Born into a privileged family in Guangdong, he developed a strong interest in photography from an early age. This love led him to the door of the Shanghai Art School, and since then he has embarked on the art road of photography. With his excellent photography skills, he held many art exhibitions, and even participated in the on-site shooting of Mr. Lu Xun's funeral, recording the changes of that era with his lens.
However, Sha Fei is not only a photographer, but also a hot-blooded man with strong beliefs and patriotic feelings. After the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, he resolutely joined the Eighth Route Army and came to the Jinchaji base area. There, he used his camera as a "weapon" to take a large number of precious photos during the Anti-Japanese War, leaving us with deep memories of those eventful years. He formed a deep friendship with Bethune, Nie Shuai and others, and jointly contributed his strength to the cause of the Anti-Japanese War.
During his long work, Sha Fei witnessed and photographed the atrocities of the Japanese army, and these cruel images brought him a huge psychological burden. Gradually, he began to suffer from mental illness. In 1949, as his condition worsened, Sha Fei came to Shijiazhuang for treatment. After a period of recuperation, his condition gradually stabilized. However, fate played a cruel joke at this time.
One day, Dr. Tsusawa came to make rounds, and when Sha Fei learned that he was Japanese, his spirit was instantly stimulated. He thought of the atrocities of the Japanese army during the Anti-Japanese War, and the anger in his heart was instantly ignited. At that moment, he lost his mind, pulled out his pistol, and ended the life of Dr. Tsusawa Katsu.
Sha Fei's criminal behavior was soon uncovered by the police, and he was arrested and put on trial. Considering Sha Fei's outstanding contributions during the Anti-Japanese War and the fact that he did such a stupid thing during his illness, the organization originally planned to give a lenient sentence. However, when it became known that Dr. Tsusawa was an international anti-war activist, they had to reconsider. Eventually, Sha Fei was sentenced to death.
The case caused a great sensation at the time, as it involved a tragic conflict between an anti-Japanese hero and an international anti-war activist. Nie Shuai personally handled the case, and when he gave the death penalty order, his heart was full of grief and helplessness. He specially instructed the public security officers to cook Sha Fei a delicious meal before he was sentenced, in order to express his respect and regret for him.
In March 1950, Sha Fei was executed, and it was not until 1986 that the case was heard again and the original verdict was reversed. Sadly, however, it has been 36 years since Sha Fei's death, and he has not been able to see this fair verdict with his own eyes.