Introduction to the work:
Mi Gu (1918-1986) was born in Haining, Zhejiang, and Zhu Wushi was his original name. He learned painting in Hangzhou Art Training School and Shanghai Artistic Training School in the 1930s. He started to show interest in cartoons when he was young. He went to Yan'an and began his study in the Fine Art Department of Lu Xun Arts College in 1938. In 1942, he joined the New Fourth Army and engaged himself in the publicity work there. During the Chinese Civil War, he created many influential works to condemn the social evils. After 1949, he held successive positions as editor for Jiefang Daily, Vice Chairman of East China Artists Association, Chief Editor for Cartoon magazine, and Director or the Research Department of China Fine Arts Gallery.

In order to save itself from financial disasters, the Kuomintang Government issued 2 billion Gold Yuan. However, the Bill depreciated to one-tenth of the original value within 3 month. "One-Night's Time" was created to satire the inflation situation. He began to create cartoons with brush instead of pen from the 1940s; therefore, he combined both western and Chinese style in his works. In this picture, strong artistic effect was achieved with thick lines and contrasts between black and white.