Lin Zexu is an undisputed national hero. His heroic deeds of "smoking opium in Humen" are still passed down to this day. In fact, in addition to this major event, he also laid a solid foundation for Zuo Zongtang's recovery of Xinjiang in the future. Basics, but unfortunately few people know this dusty memory.

First of all, we have to start with his story of "smoking cigarettes in Humen". Before the 1830s, China had always been in a leading position in trade with foreign countries. In order to reverse this unfavorable trade situation, countries such as Europe and the United States came up with a shameless method.

The British bourgeoisie first exported textiles to India, then exported India’s opium to China, and then exported tea, silk, etc. from China to Britain. The British benefited greatly from this triangular trade. . Drug traffickers came like flies. In addition to Britain, the United States also imported opium from Türkiye to China.

The continuous outflow of silver caused by the large-scale import of opium not only disrupted the currency circulation of the Qing Dynasty, but also caused the Qing government's treasury to be empty, putting the Qing Dynasty's economy on the verge of collapse. What is even more serious is that the proliferation of opium has greatly damaged the physical and mental health of addicts. If it is allowed to develop, the Chinese nation will face the danger of extinction.

Seeing this situation, Lin Zexu wrote to Emperor Daoguang, and then launched a vigorous anti-smoking campaign. The "Humen Smoking Ban" was the most representative and influential event.

After the British businessmen suffered losses, the British government decided to use strong ships and cannons to "protect the rights" of the businessmen. Lin Zexu's opium destruction in Humen became the direct cause of the first Opium War. Under Western cannon, the decadent and incompetent Qing Dynasty was defeated and sued for peace, while Lin Zexu became a scapegoat and was exiled to Xinjiang.

In 1841, Lin Zexu, who was nearly 50 years old, set out for Xinjiang. When he said goodbye to his family in Xi'an, he left the poem "If you live and die for the benefit of the country, how can you avoid it because of misfortunes and blessings?" This is to show your patriotism.

When he came to Xinjiang, he felt deeply that Tsarist Russia was eyeing Xinjiang. For this reason, he visited various places in Xinjiang and then proposed a "farming war" to the then General Ili to prevent Tsarist Russia as soon as possible. Covet. At the same time, he put forward a series of national defense ideas based on the actual situation and became a pioneer of modern northwest defense.

In 1850, when Lin Zexu was returning to his hometown and passing through Changsha, he met Zuo Zongtang, who was still a commoner at the time, on a boat in the Xiangjiang River.

The two of them talked about national affairs on the Xiangjiang River. Lin Zexu specifically expressed his views on the Xinjiang region. In addition, he entrusted Zuo Zongtang with the battle and defense plans he had summarized, and said: "I am old, and I have no ambition to conquer Russia, but I will never achieve it. I have been paying attention to talents for several years, and I want to entrust you with important tasks. I have devoted several years of hard work to my subordinates, and they may be useful for governing the border in the future. The foreign barbarians in the southeast, There may be someone who can control Xinjiang in the future, and it is none other than the emperor."

Unexpectedly, Lin Zexu's prediction came true. More than 30 years later, Agubai, supported by Tsarist Russia, invaded Xinjiang, and Zuo Zongtang was in power. The people in the hall advocated the recovery of Xinjiang.

At this time, the elderly veteran Zuo Zongtang carried the map of Xinjiang given to him by Lin Zexu, carried the coffin, and went out to conquer Xinjiang. He successfully regained Xinjiang, defended the country's territorial integrity, and at the same time comforted Lin Zexu's spirit in heaven.

Lin Zexu has practiced the saying "If you live and die to benefit the country, how can you avoid it because of misfortunes and blessings?" Even when he was exiled to Xinjiang, he never forgot to prepare for the country's rainy days. This is the real National hero, salute the hero!

Today, these two famous quotes he left behind still inspire countless Chinese people.