Lin Zexu Tells His Story Fighting the British in the Chinese Opium Wars

Presented to you by: http://www.HistoricalConquest.com
Read more on our blog at: https://www.historicalconquest.com/blog
#Kickstarter Fundraiser: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/xogosgaming/xogos-gaming-education-meets-entertainment-and-enlightenment

I am Lin Zexu, a scholar-official of the Qing Dynasty, and I have a tale to impart to you. Born in the year 1785, I dedicated my life to serving my country and upholding the principles of integrity and righteousness. As a Confucian scholar, I believed fervently in the importance of moral rectitude and the duty of government officials to safeguard the well-being of the people.

In the early 19th century, during my tenure as the Imperial Commissioner of Canton, I confronted one of the greatest challenges of my career: the scourge of opium addiction that had plagued our land due to the pernicious trade practices of foreign merchants, particularly those from Britain. Witnessing the devastating effects of opium on our society, including widespread addiction, social decay, and economic exploitation, I resolved to take decisive action to eradicate this blight from our midst.

With unwavering determination and a sense of duty to my fellow countrymen, I initiated a series of bold measures to curtail the opium trade and stem the flow of this harmful substance into China. I penned a passionate memorial to the Daoguang Emperor, urging him to ban the importation and consumption of opium and to hold the foreign merchants accountable for their role in perpetuating this moral and social crisis.

In 1839, my efforts culminated in the historic event known as the "Lin Zexu's Opium War." I seized and destroyed over 20,000 chests of opium, confiscated from British traders, and enforced strict anti-opium laws in Canton. My actions incited the ire of the British government, leading to the outbreak of the First Opium War in 1840.

Though my campaign against opium ultimately led to conflict with foreign powers, I remained steadfast in my conviction that the well-being of our nation and its people was paramount. Despite the challenges and hardships I faced, I continued to advocate for reform and progress, believing wholeheartedly in the righteousness of my cause.

In the end, my efforts to combat the opium trade and uphold the moral integrity of our society earned me both admiration and criticism. Yet, I remained resolute in my commitment to serving the greater good, leaving behind a legacy of courage, principle, and unwavering devotion to the welfare of my country and its people.

Visit us at: https://www.historicalconquest.com/marketplace

Helping Build Futures,

Zack Edwards
President and Creator of Historical Conquest

Website: http://www.HistoricalConquest.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HistoricalConquest/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwMESbGwG5OqQrjoq6pCSpQ
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Histcon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historicalconquest/

#historicalconquest #history #historical #ancientchina #china #ancient #chinese #mandarin #mandarinchinese #emperor #dynasty #greatwall #greatwallofchina #gunpowder #songdynasty #mongolia #mongolian #mongol #khan #genghiskhan