Biography of Lin Zexu (Revised Edition)

Author: Yang Guozhen
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-03-16
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 of the Jiangnan Circuit, the governor of Hangzhou, Jiaxing, and Hu Lake in Zhejiang, and the provincial censor-in-chief 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 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, where he rigorously prohibited the consumption of opium with remarkable success. In November, he was appointed as an Imperial Commissioner to Guangdong to suppress opium and to command the Guangdong naval forces. Lin Zexu swore in Guangdong: "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 forced to surrender over 20,000 boxes 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 ordered a state funeral and posthumously bestowed the title "Wenzhong" and the rank of Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent. After Lin Zexu's death, the entire nation mourned him, and a temple was built in Fuzhou to honor him. The Lin Zexu Temple in Fuzhou is officially known as the "Temple of Lord Wenzhong of Lin," constructed in the thirty-first year of the Guangxu reign (1905). The towering, gateway-style entrance is imposing. A pair of lifelike stone lions stand guard in front of the gate. Beyond the gate lies the "Yimen Hall," with a stone-paved aisle in the center and eight stone statues of humans and animals carved from greenstone on either side. The corridors flanking the hall display over 20 ceremonial banners and insignia, including those for "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, righteous spirit strengthens the land; waving flags to resist invaders, righteous action vanquishes 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 wall reads "Lin Zexu Memorial Hall," with an additional plaque on the left titled "Zhongxing Zonggun" and one on the right titled "Left Sea Great Man." 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.