Recently, the period legal drama *The Heavy Weapon*, written by Zhao Dongling, directed by Shen Yan, and produced by Lü Weihong, officially premiered on China Central Television (CCTV) and iQIYI. Set against the backdrop of China’s critical transitional period in the development of the rule of law from 1979 to 1997, the series offers a panoramic portrayal of the historical process of rebuilding the legal system following the Reform and Opening-Up.
Attorney Tian Wenchang, founding partner and honorary director of King&Capital Law Firm, was invited to participate in the series’ preliminary creative research as a firsthand witness and pioneer of China’s criminal defense practice. His firsthand accounts of his professional experiences provided crucial material for shaping the lawyers’ characters and recreating the early judicial landscape. Attorney Tian Wenchang’s name is also specifically listed in the series’ closing credits.
Bringing History to Life Through Oral History, Infusing the Series with Authentic Historical Texture
In the summer of 2023, to accurately recreate the historical context of the legal system’s reconstruction during the early years of Reform and Opening-Up, screenwriter Zhao Dongling conducted an in-depth interview with Attorney Tian Wenchang.
As one of the first practitioners to dedicate himself to criminal defense after China reinstated the legal profession, Attorney Tian Wenchang shared vivid, firsthand accounts of individual experiences—beyond what is found in textbooks and official archives—from the perspective of a frontline participant. He eloquently recounted details such as the real circumstances of legal practice in the 1980s and 1990s, the gradual shift in judicial philosophy, and the emergence and development of the criminal defense system.
These valuable oral accounts directly informed the narrative arcs of the lawyers portrayed in the series, particularly those of Yuan Yifang and Xia Yingjie. Many of the plot elements depicted in the series—such as the low social status of lawyers in the 1980s and 1990s, the weak safeguards for the right to defense, the gradual shift in judicial philosophy from “prioritizing crime suppression” to procedural justice, the heightened risks faced by criminal defense lawyers, and the imbalance of power between prosecution and defense—draw heavily on the authentic recollections of eyewitnesses like Attorney Tian Wenchang, lending the series’ portrayal of the era and its professional details greater credibility.
The Pioneering Journey of an Academic-Turned-Lawyer: A Life Dedicated to the Rule of Law in Step with the Times
Lawyer Tian Wenchang’s professional trajectory is, in itself, a vivid microcosm of China’s journey toward rebuilding the rule of law. In 1983, after earning his Master of Laws degree from Northwest University of Political Science and Law, Tian Wenchang joined China University of Political Science and Law as a faculty member, serving successively as Deputy Director of the Law Department and a graduate advisor. Starting in 1985, while continuing his teaching duties, Tian Wenchang immersed himself in judicial practice, becoming one of the earliest criminal defense attorneys following the launch of reform and opening-up.
At that time, China’s legal system had only just been restored; the environment for criminal defense was challenging, the right to defense was not fully guaranteed, and the notion of “presumption of guilt” was deeply entrenched. It was against this historical backdrop that Tian Wenchang taught legal theory in university lecture halls while fulfilling his defense duties in court. He personally experienced judicial practices during the “Strict Crackdown” period and witnessed the entire process by which the concept of procedural justice evolved from its infancy to gradual establishment. In 1995, Tian Wenchang founded Beijing King&Capital Law Firm, transitioning from a university professor to a full-time attorney. He bid farewell to the academic world at China University of Political Science and Law and devoted himself entirely to the front lines of the rule of law.
Over the course of his more than four-decade legal career, Attorney Tian Wenchang has represented clients in numerous landmark and highly complex cases, including the case accusing Yu Zuomin. His personal journey closely mirrors the arcs of characters like Yuan Yifang in the drama *The Heavy Artillery*—legal professionals who, amidst the tides of the times, steadfastly uphold their faith in the rule of law and drive judicial progress.
Empowering Artistic Creation with Professional Expertise: A Tribute to Generations of Builders of the Rule of Law
As a participant in and witness to the development of China’s rule of law, Attorney Tian Wenchang has always placed great importance on promoting the culture of the rule of law and popularizing the spirit of the law. His participation in the creative research for *The Heavy Artillery* serves not only as a retrospective look at and tribute to a chapter in the history of the rule of law but also as a valuable attempt to use artistic works to accurately portray the true process of the rule of law to the public and convey its principles.
Previously, as the chief consultant for the hit legal drama *Take the Stage*, Tian Wenchang repeatedly guided the screenwriters’ research, helping legal-themed works to further focus on the talent development process for young lawyers, convey the principles of the rule of law, and restore the profession’s reputation.
The TV series *The Heavy Artillery* traces the twenty-year journey of China’s rule of law system—from its initial establishment to its continuous refinement—through the growth trajectories of five law school graduates. The oral accounts provided by Attorney Tian Wenchang infuse the series with the warmth and authenticity of real-life legal practice, allowing viewers to experience, through the screen, the perseverance and sense of responsibility of the pioneers during the early stages of rule of law development, and to appreciate how hard-won today’s achievements in judicial civilization truly are.
Moving forward, Beijing King&Capital Law Firm will continue to support artistic creations centered on the rule of law, leveraging its professional expertise to promote the culture of the rule of law and help the public gain a firsthand understanding of the original aspirations and legacy of legal professionals.
