Lin Zexu smashed Britain many times and carried out armed provocations in China waters. Although many people in China regard his "Humen exterminating opium" as a feat, it is also the proximate cause of the First Opium War.
Lin Zexu resisted the western military invasion many times, fought hard with the western political forces, held an open attitude towards western culture, science and technology and trade, and advocated learning its advantages and making use of them. According to documents, he knows at least two foreign languages, English and Portuguese, and is committed to translating western newspapers and books.
Lin Zexu was born on July 26th in the 50th year of Qianlong (i.e.1August 30th, 785) in the back ancestral room of Lin's North Yard in Houguan Zuoying Sixiang, Fujian (now Fuzhou). Father Lin Binri, mother Chen Yan.
Lin Zexu's family originated from the Lin family of Jiu Mu who crossed the border into Fujian from the south of the Central Plains in the Jin Dynasty, and Lin was one of the eight surnames who entered Fujian. According to the literature written by Lin Zexu's father, Lin Binri, this paper makes textual research on his family:
"So Yu Rong, Zu Gao Degong Song Jinshi, passed the tenth to Rongshan Gong, and Yu Zu also. The second son of a boy, who has a long life, is the ancestor of the other five generations, and his tomb is in Yurong. Save Su Gong and give birth to Gao Zu, move to the provincial wall and give birth to Tai Gong and Qi Cai Gong. The tombs are all under Feilai Peak outside Beiguan, and Qicai Palace is Bei Tang Palace. The tomb is in Pantongshan outside Beiguan. "
There are three explanations for the origin of Lin Zexu's name:
Born in the Xu family and raised in the Lin family, but this statement was later proved to be unfounded.
When Lin Zexu was born, Lin Binri once "saw the phoenix flying in a dream" and thought that his son was the reincarnation of Xu Ling, the stone unicorn in the sky, so he was named Xu, with the word "small mu" and "two characters", but this statement was also considered unfounded.
At that time, Xu Si, the governor of Fujian who is famous for his love for talents, went to Fu Lin to take shelter from the rain, and Lin Zexu was born at the right time. Lin Binri hopes that his son will follow Xu Sizeng's example, excel and prosper. Taking Chinese characters and strokes means that his son, like Xu Sizeng, has an open and prosperous career and is accepted by many people.
After Emperor Xianfeng succeeded to the throne, because organizations such as Hong Xiuquan were preparing for the uprising, Emperor Xianfeng made a decree to seek talents to deal with the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. Pan, a great scholar, the political general envoy and Sun Ruizhen and two ministers strongly recommended Lin Zexu. Emperor Xianfeng always wanted to reuse Lin Zexu and use his past prestige to make peace. College students Zhang Mu A, Ying Jie and others are still trying to stop them. Emperor Xianfeng couldn't help it any longer. He fired Zhang Mu and never hired him again. Yingjie was also demoted. However, Lin Zexu did not recover at all, and hernia broke out from time to time. As a result, he had to lie in a special sleeper car and come all the way to Guangdong from Fujian and Guangdong mountainous areas. When he arrived in Chaozhou, he began to suffer from severe diarrhea. When he arrived in Puning, he was terminally ill and had to stay in Puning Pavilion. Finally, Lin Zexu, accompanied by his son Lin and his staff Liu Cunren, died on October 19th, 30th year of Daoguang (1850165438+1October 22nd) at the age of 66.