Lin Zexu, a politician, thinker and poet during the Qing Dynasty, suppressed the opium trade and fought against foreign aggression as the country faced the danger of becoming a semi-colony. However, despite his efforts, Lin was banished to the Ili region of Xinjiang in August 1842 by Emperor Daoguang, who believed his actions had led to an altercation with the West and loss of revenue for the government.
Expressing his patriotism despite grievances, Lin wrote, "Death not my concern should it benefit the country. How can I pick and choose for own loss or gain?" If you were in Lin's shoes, would you accept a wrongful punishment in the larger interest of your country? #Chinese#History#Literature#art#Classics#Poems#chinesemusic#Aspirations
Hi everyone, I'm Srina again. I'm here to talk about Chinese poetry.
Those of you who are familiar with a bit of Chinese history will no doubt remember the infamous opium
wars of the 1800s. Britain attempted to smuggle opium into China to balance their trade deficit
and created millions of Chinese addicts in the process. Later, the government of Qing dynasty
banned the opium trade, and Lin Zexu, the topic of this video, was appointed imperial commissioner
to supervise the operation. Lin was a politician, thinker, and poet during the Qing dynasty. He
worked as an official for more than 30 years in 14 different provinces and was twice appointed
imperial commissioner. As China faced the danger of becoming a semi-colony, Lin stood up, disregarding
his own fortune and honor. He suppressed the opium trade and fought against foreign aggression,
defending Chinese sovereignty and solidifying his place as a national hero. However, despite his
efforts, Lin was banished to the Yili region of Xinjiang in August 1842 by Emperor Daoguang,
who believed his actions had led to an altercation with the West and loss of revenue for the
government. Expressing his patriotism despite grievances, Lin wrote,
Death not my own concern should it benefit the country. How can I pick and choose for own loss
or gain? Improvised orally for my family before leaving for Yili. My ability petty,
tasks weighty, I am long weary. Fair, spent, no longer fit for arduous assignment.
Death not my concern should it benefit the country. How can I pick and choose for own loss
or gain? Life in exile, proof of profound imperial flavor, no better match for a frontier soldier
than tax eternity. Joking about past tales with my humble wife, I requested losing old scalp
for farewell today. If you were in Lin's shoes, would you accept a wrongful punishment in the
interest of your country? Let us know in the comment section if there is any other Chinese
poem you would like us to feature in our next episode. I'm Serena, see you next time.
