Biography of Lin Zexu

Author: Yang Guozhen
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-06-01
Features: Lin Zexu (1785-1850), styled Yuanfu, also styled Shaomu, later known as Shucun Laoren, 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 successively served as the examiner for the provincial examinations in Jiangxi and Yunnan, the Censor-in-Chief of the Jiangnan Circuit, the Administrator of Hangzhou-Jiaxing-Huzhou Circuit in Zhejiang, and the Vice Governor of Jiangsu and Shaanxi provinces, as well as the Governor of Hubei, Hunan, and Henan provinces. 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 responsibility 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), he became 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 prohibit opium, and was authorized to command the Guangdong naval forces. In Guangdong, Lin Zexu solemnly pledged, "As long as opium does not cease, I will not return for a single day, and I will see this matter through to the end." Faced with Lin Zexu's integrity, British merchants such as Eliot were compelled to surrender over 20,000 boxes of opium, which were then 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 posthumous honors, posthumously bestowing the title "Wenzhong" and promoting him to the rank of Grand Preceptor of the Heir Apparent. After Lin Zexu's death, the entire nation mourned him, and a memorial temple was built in Fuzhou in his honor. The memorial temple in Fuzhou is known as the "Temple of Lin Wenzhong Gong," built in the thirty-first year of the Guangxu reign (1905). The grand arched gate tower 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 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 pierce the clouds, righteous spirit strengthens the hues of the land; waving flags to resist invaders, righteous captures the hearts of demons." It is awe-inspiring and deeply admirable. The "Temple of Lin Wenzhong Gong" was converted into the "Lin Zexu Memorial Hall" in 1982 and is listed as a provincial cultural relic protection unit. The new plaque on the street-facing gate reads "Lin Zexu Memorial Hall," with the left plaque inscribed "Zhongxing Zonggun" and the right plaque "Zuohai Weiuren." The Fuzhou Municipal People's Education Commission 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.