Biography of Lin Zexu - Revised Edition

Author: Yang Guozhen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-06-01
Features: Lin Zexu (1785-1850), styled Yuanfu, also known as Shaomu, and later as the Old Man of Sici Village, was a native of Houguan County (now Fuzhou City). He passed the imperial examination in the sixteenth year of the Jiaqing reign (1811) and entered the Hanlin Academy as a Cishiji, later appointed as a Compiler. He served as an examiner for the provincial examinations in Jiangxi and Yunnan, a Censor-in-Chief of the Jiangnan Circuit, the Circuit Intendant of Hangzhou, Jiaxing, and Hu Lake in Zhejiang, and the Provincial Vice Commissioner of Jiangsu and Shaanxi. In the eleventh year of the Daoguang reign (1831), the Daoguang Emperor promoted Lin Zexu to the position of Governor of the Donghe River Conservancy Commission, entrusting him with the task of dredging the Yellow River and the Grand Canal. In the twelfth year, he was appointed as the Governor of Jiangsu, and in the eighteenth year (1838), as the Governor of Huguang. He rigorously suppressed the opium trade, achieving remarkable results. In November, he was appointed as the Imperial Commissioner to Guangdong to investigate and ban opium, with authority over the Guangdong naval forces. In Guangdong, Lin Zexu solemnly pledged, "As long as opium does not cease, I shall not return, and I will see this matter through to the end." Faced with Lin Zexu's unyielding integrity, British merchants such as Eliot were forced to surrender over 20,000 cases of opium, which were publicly destroyed on Humen Beach. As a result, Lin Zexu became a national hero in modern Chinese history for resisting foreign aggression. In the thirtieth year of the Daoguang reign (1850), Lin Zexu passed away. In the first year of the Xianfeng reign (1851), the Xianfeng Emperor granted him a state funeral and posthumously honored him with the title "Wenzhong" and elevated him to the rank of Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent. After his death, the entire nation mourned him, and a temple was built in Fuzhou to honor him. The Lin Zexu Temple in Fuzhou is officially named the "Temple of Lord Wenzhong of Lin," built in the thirty-first year of the Guangxu reign (1905). The grand, gateway-style main gate soars into the sky. A pair of lifelike stone lions stand guard in front of the gate. Inside the gate lies the "Yimen Hall," with a stone-paved aisle in the center and eight stone statues and beasts carved from greenstone standing on either side. The corridors on both sides display over 20 ceremonial banners and insignia, including the "Riding in the Forbidden City," "Governor of Huguang," "Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi," "Governor of Jiangsu," and "Governor of Shaanxi." The couplet reads: "Burning poison to the heavens, his righteous spirit strengthens the land; waving flags to resist invaders, his justice conquers demonic hearts." It is a sight that inspires awe and admiration. The "Temple of Lord Wenzhong of Lin" was converted into the "Lin Zexu Memorial Hall" in 1982 and is listed as a provincial cultural heritage site. The new signboard on the street-facing gate reads "Lin Zexu Memorial Hall," with the side plaques "Zhongxing Zonggun" (Central Plains Ancestor) on the left and "Left Sea Great Man" on the right. The People's Education Commission of Fuzhou City has designated the "Lin Zexu Memorial Hall" as a base for moral education for young people. In the hearts of the people of Fuzhou and China, it stands as a towering monument.