#318 - Opium War 3: Up In Smoke

Lin Zexu believed moral clarity and the largest drug bust in history could end the opium crisis and avert war. Yet, as his solution drained into Humen Bay, so too did the last hope of peace between China and Britain. Time Period Covered: 1836–June 1839 Major Historical Figures: The Qing Empire: The Daoguang Emperor (Aisin-Gioro Minning) [r. 1820–1850] Lin Zexu, Imperial Commissioner and Governor-General of Huguang [1785–1850] Deng Tingzhen, Governor-General of Liangguang [1776–1846] Huang Juezi, Minister and court official (opium policy advocate) The British Empire: King William IV [r. 1830–1837] Queen Vict...