讀後心得

This year marks the eightieth anniversary of the end of World War II, and war has once again become a topic of concern. Reflecting on history, reading is a good way to engage, such as the selection of political essays by Hu Lanchen. Hu Lanchen advocated for freedom of speech, criticized the peace-seeking behavior during the Sino-Japanese War, and anticipated changes in international politics. He also criticized the Communist Party's inconsistent stance and emphasized the importance of Chinese culture. He confronted the boredom and significance of war, and his views remain inspiring today. This article explores Hu Lanchen's influence and his resonance with modern scholars, reminding us to cherish freedom of speech.

This year marks the eightieth anniversary of the end of World War II. In 2025, the world seems restless once again, and the topic of war has expanded beyond history textbooks to become a nightmare that is hard to ignore. To reflect on the history of World War II, reading is an ideal approach. The author thinks of Hu Lancheng, who made people aware that war is not just the slogans of leaders and military figures, but also the profound insights expressed by scholars who do not participate in combat.

When mentioning Hu Lancheng, many people in Taiwan may be aware of his relationship with Zhang Ailing. Literature enthusiasts may know him as the spiritual mentor of the San San Literary Group, but his essays on political commentary are rarely read. In an era of the collision between Eastern and Western cultures, many of his arguments were uniquely crafted for the Chinese-speaking world. Here are a few examples for reference.

• Hu Lancheng was the first to advocate for freedom of speech for Wang Jingwei, pointing out that "the value of democracy lies in freedom of speech. Those who speak of war before it begins are guilty, and those who speak of peace before an agreement is reached are also guilty; this is a kind of pathology." (1939) The background of this statement is during the early stage of the Sino-Japanese War when Wang Jingwei sent a telegram to Japan seeking peace. As his advisor, Hu Lancheng defended him, believing that surrender and seeking peace is also an expression of freedom of speech. In a different historical context, this statement seems somewhat similar to recent discussions about freedom of speech.

• Hu Lancheng analyzed that "(World War II) was a war for the re-division of global colonies. The outcome was not only a shift in interests between Britain and the Axis powers, but also the intervention of other forces." These predictions were quite accurate regarding the hegemony of the United States and the rise of the Soviet Union, earning admiration. Recently, 76 scholars also analyzed the Ukraine war based on the international landscape, believing that this war could have been avoided but has been prolonged due to political interests, forcing Ukraine to become a victim of the game.

• Another characteristic of Hu Lancheng is his sensitivity to current world politics. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, his peace advocacy was no longer mentioned, possibly because he foresaw the destructiveness of the international situation would be hard to restore. The perspectives of the 76 scholars also emphasize the necessity of maintaining peace, which aligns remarkably with Hu Lancheng's views.

• In 1945, Hu Lancheng wrote, "Whether it is the Sino-Japanese war or global conflicts, it seems that they cannot solve problems, but rather prolong the wars." This statement reveals his helplessness towards the state of war at that time and criticizes the absurdity of the ongoing wars.

These observations provide a deeper understanding of the complex personality of Hu Lancheng, who is both confused and clear-headed, both a headache and a source of contemplation. His insights and recommendations, even after more than 80 years, still deserve our reflection and discussion.