In 1930, he enrolled at Beiping Army Medical University and participated in the Leftist Writers Alliance during his time at school.

In November 1936, he was rescued by the party organization and was sent to north China's Shanxi province to serve as an editor in the editorial office of the Taiyuan Counter-Japanese Military and Political Training Committee.

In June 1947, he participated in the Land Reform Movement in the Shanxi-Chahaer-Hebei Liberated Area.

He was appointed minister of agriculture in September 1954, in addition to serving as deputy director of the 7th Office of the State Council.

[citation needed] In September 1964, he was transferred to Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei province, and appointed party secretary, the top political position in the city.