[2] He was originally called 趙樹禮, which, in Mandarin Chinese, was a homophone of the name he later adopted in his adult career.

In this setting, Zhao explores the dilemmas and conflicts of villagers who are facing growing social upheaval.

Zhao was renowned for achieving nuanced portrayals of the diverse cast of human characters which were to be found in provincial life.

Zhao became known as a leader of the Shanyaodan (White Potato) rural realists (山藥蛋派), one of the most influential literary movements in mid-20th century China.

[4] He died in 1970, having fallen victim to the persecutions that were launched against intellectuals, artists, and other "undesirables" during the Cultural Revolution.