Chen Huacheng

Chen Huacheng

Chen Huacheng (1776-june 16, 1842), a Han nationality, was born in Tongan County, Fujian Province (now Xiamen City), a famous general and national hero of the anti British war.

Born in the army, he served as the general of jiaqingjian and the general of daoguangjian. He was the commander of Fujian Navy when the Opium War broke out, and later he was the commander of Jiangnan. During the Opium War, he defended Wusong (now Baoshan District of Shanghai), fought against the British invading forces, and died bravely.

Life of the characters

Early experience

Chen Huacheng (1776-1842), born in Tong'an, Fujian Province, moved to Taiwan with his uncle when he was 16 years old. He grew up in the Xingzhi area of Tanshui Hall (now Xinzhuang, Taipei). Later, he joined the army and fought bravely for many years. He was promoted to General of Kinmen all the way from general of Kinmen to General of Qianlong. In 1830, he was promoted to be the commander of Fujian Navy and stationed in Xiamen. After Chen Huacheng took office, the governor led the navy to patrol seriously and block strictly. With the support of Deng Tingzhen, governor of Fujian and Zhejiang provinces, the British fleet was repulsed many times.

Defending territory

In 1832, the British East India Company sent the "ameste" to Xiamen for espionage. Chen Huacheng summoned hushami and others, and ordered the navy to strictly monitor and expel them from the port. Later, the British ships intruded into the seas of Fujian and Zhejiang, and invaded the southeast coast of China. Chen Huacheng led the navy to patrol seriously and intercept strictly. In the 13th year of Daoguang (1833), Chen Huacheng led the navy to search the opium smuggling nests in the area of Jinmen and Xiamen. They were arrested on all sides, and all the people and ships were captured. They also checked the eight townships nearby, including chentou, and destroyed the nests. In 1835, the British warship came to Fujian for provocation and was expelled by Chen Huacheng. In 1837, the British warships peeped into the surface of the five tigers in Min'an. Zhou Tingxiang, deputy general of Min'an, stopped them. Under the pretext of taking back the British "refugees" living in Zhangpu, the British Consul took a boat and wrote to them at the entrance. Chen Huacheng refused to meet them. He sent someone to convey the information to the "refugees" on the sea. He should translate and explain the situation as usual and escort them from China to Guangzhou, Moreover, the British consul's report did not indicate the name of the "refugee", which is difficult to believe. That is to say, the Navy escorted the small boat to the big boat and drove it out of the territorial sea, which safeguarded the diplomatic dignity.

Improve defense

After the Opium War broke out in June 1840, in order to strengthen the defense of Jiangnan, the Qing government appointed Chen Hua as the governor of Jiangnan. In July of the same year, he was transferred to Jiangnan governor. At that time, the first Opium War had already broken out. With the support of Yuqian, governor of the two rivers, Chen Huacheng improved the defensive measures of Wusong fort at the estuary of the Yangtze River and Huangpu River, and vowed to defend the Yangtze River waterway to the death. Five days after Chen Huacheng took office, he personally led his soldiers to Wusongkou for inspection and stepped up the deployment of Wusong defense. The British Invaders captured Dinghai and rushed to the mouth of the Yangtze River. Seeing that Wusong was heavily guarded, they did not dare to attack rashly.

Run the army strictly

Chen Huacheng always takes the lead in doing business. He leads the digging of trenches and patrols the sea in severe winter. We don't pay attention to food. We eat coarse rice. When they are sick, they don't neglect the patrol and defense. They think that "it's a common thing in the barracks to watch the wind and rain." He went in and out simply, without guards of honor and attendants. Integrity, not good personal and flattery. Once on his birthday, a ministry made a golden flag as a birthday gift. He was very angry and made an order to tear the golden flag. When he toured Taiwan, although he took many soldiers with him, he did not accept the "gifts" from civil and military officials everywhere and was loved by the people. Chen Huacheng is an honest and clean official with strict military discipline and simple life. He is praised by the people in Wusong area: "all the officers and soldiers suck the cream of the people, but Chen Gong drinks Wusong water.".

Guard Wusong

At the beginning of April, 1842, 27 British warships successively gathered near Jigu reef outside the Yangtze River Estuary and broke into the surveying channel inside Wusong estuary. On the fifth day of May, there were more and more British warships gathering, and the sound of guns rocked the sky. At six o'clock in the morning on the eighth day of the lunar new year, they sailed into Yanjiang in batches and attacked Wusong. Before the other side's ships were all moored, Chen Huacheng personally directed the West Fort to fire at the earliest time. The first shot hit the British warship "brandy", killing an officer and several sailors. Another shot broke the legs of a surveyor of the ship "flexson". After a fierce artillery battle for two and a half hours, Chen Huacheng's subordinates were full of morale and firepower.

die for one's country

On the sixth day of April in the 22nd year of Daoguang (1842), the British aggressors attacked Wusong fortress with more than 100 ships and 10000 soldiers. Chen Huacheng, a 67 year old general, has been fighting with the invading army. After Niu Jian, the governor of Liangjiang, swore to survive with the position, Chen Huacheng led dozens of soldiers to firmly guard the isolated Western Fort position. When he was in charge of the battle, he ignited the gunpowder and opened dozens of doors. He also insisted on commanding the gun raising team and the shotgun team to shoot at the landing invaders. Chen Huacheng was injured in seven places and died bravely in his post. At the same time, there were more than 80 officers and men, such as Wei Yinfu, the garrison of the Chinese battalion.

Historical records

Chen Huacheng's biography, Qing Dynasty rouyuanji, Xiamen historical exhibition, Chuansha County continuation, Fujian Tongzhi, Xiaoyun Wenchao's Preliminary Edition, Lianchuan celebrity portrait

member of family

Son: Chen Tingfang, bestowed as Ju Ren, attacking light truck Du Wei son: Chen Tingfen, bestowed as Ju Ren Sun: Chen Zhenshi

Historical evaluation

After Chen Huacheng died for his country, Chinese people have a poem to pay homage to: on the day of serving the country and dying, the sky is far away, the stars are dark, the mountains and rivers are strong, and the wind and rain cry. With tears in his eyes, he asked the army. Chen Kangqi: as for Chen Zhongmin's guarding Wusong, GE Zhuangjie, Wang Gangjie and Zheng Zhongjie's guarding Dinghai, and the Duke's guarding Humen, all of them were bandits in the same boat. They helped him to die, tied up their Tassels and spared his armor, and decayed the Great Wall. For the rest of his life, gengzi lived in Haidong. He was filled with anger when he saw the changes in recent years. According to the draft of the history of the Qing Dynasty, "when the war broke out in the sea, it was not only dwarfed by military equipment, but also ignorant of the situation of the enemy. It was also tied up in the uncertainty of peace and war. Those who were afraid of war were defeated, and those who were loyal and brave were also defeated. The officials who are dedicated to speed, forget the body and die for the country, never return to the heel of righteousness, but also seek the peace of mind. Hoo hoo, Lieji! It's attached to the chapter for those who give orders. " Zhao Puchu: peach blossom, red rain, heroic blood, blue sea, Danxia, and noble heart. Today's Shenzhou temple stands up, and the mausoleum comforts the loyal soul through the ages.

Commemoration of later generations

Chen Huacheng Memorial

Chen Huacheng memorial is located in Linjiang Park, No.1 Youyi Road, Baoshan District, Shanghai, with a construction area of 320 square meters, including 170 square meters of display area. In 1992, the Dacheng Hall of Baoshan Confucius Temple, which was built in the 12th year of Qianlong of Qing Dynasty, was rebuilt into Chen Huacheng Memorial Hall. The exhibits show Chen Huacheng's life as a young man, who joined the army, made great achievements in war, vowed to fight against Britain and died for his country.

Tomb of Chen Huacheng

The tomb of Chen Huacheng faces south and covers an area of 700 square meters. The tomb is shaped like a longevity turtle, surrounded by granite strips. The tombstone is made of granite, with a square head and regular script engraved with the words "emperor Qing / Gao granted Zhenwei general posthumous Zhongmin Chen Gong / Gao granted Yipin Madame de Pei Zeng Madame's tomb". The table is made of granite with kylin and double deer patterns embossed on the facade. The tomb is surrounded in the shape of "wind", with three levels of tomb terrace. In front of the tomb are granite lotus pillar and stone lion watch.