| Chen Huacheng | |
|---|---|
 Chen Huacheng's tomb. | |
| Born | 1776 |
| Died | June 16, 1842 (aged Error: Need valid year, month, day) |
Chen Huancheng (1776–1842) was a 19th-century military leader of Qing China.[1] He served as the provincial military leader in Jiangnan Province before being killed in the First Opium War.[2]
Biography[]
Chen joined the Imperial Army at a young age, in which he served as a standard bearer. Unlike some of his contemporaries, he rose from the ranks of the army to a command position without taking the customary Wu Keju Imperial Examinations.[1] His early promotions were due to his success in suppressing piracy.[2]
In 1830 Chen was promoted to Admiral of Fujian Province by the Daoguang Emperor. During this time he was stationed in Xiamen. He was promoted again in 1840 when he became a Jiangnan Admiral, the highest rank in the Imperial Navy.[2]
During the First Opium War Chen commanded the Chinese defenses at the mouth of the Yangtze River.[2] He swore to defend the waterway and began to fortify his position against British incursions. On 16 June 1842 a British fleet sailed up the Yangtze and began to bombard Huacheng's position at Wusong.[3] While commanding the Chinese fort there, Chen was killed by either naval artillery or in hand-to-hand combat with the British.[4]
Legacy[]
Chen was declared a national hero after his death. A tomb and museum are erected in his honor in Shanghai.[2][5]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Haijian, Mao (2016-10-18) (in en). The Qing Empire and the Opium War. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107069879. https://books.google.com/books?id=DVIYDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA62&lpg=PA62&dq=Chen+Huacheng+military&source=bl&ots=_6Cb7A-Tr5&sig=k1XR2rVXwF7XFVuM9CD5aLrZ038&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjNvK3g2dTUAhWd2YMKHX24AgYQ6AEIQTAG#v=onepage&q=Chen%20Huacheng%20military&f=false.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 National Palace Museum Library and Literature Department Qing Dynasty History Museum package, 702003435-5 number
- ↑ Rait, Robert S. (1903). The Life and Campaigns of Hugh, First Viscount Gough, Field-Marshal. Volume 1. Westminster: Archibald Constable.
- ↑ NA, NA (2016-04-30) (in en). Japan and China: Mutual Representations in the Modern Era. Springer. ISBN 9781137083654. https://books.google.com/books?id=8rQYDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA57&lpg=PA57&dq=Chen+Huacheng+military&source=bl&ots=exAjGRHfQH&sig=YmsO6ELXodfiDoTbc7mc3U_WJkI&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjNvK3g2dTUAhWd2YMKHX24AgYQ6AEIOTAE#v=onepage&q=Chen%20Huacheng%20military&f=false.
- ↑ "China Institute Study Tour 2011 - China & Taiwan in the 21st Century". http://www.mitchellteachers.org/chinainstitutetour/guangzhou/linzexumuseum.html.
The original article can be found at Chen Huacheng and the edit history here.