Empire Podcast Episode 252: Victorian Narcos - Selling Drugs To The Queen (Ep 6) Summary

Release Date: May 5, 2025
Hosts: William Dalrymple & Anita Anand

Introduction to the Opium Crisis

In Episode 252 of Empire, titled "Victorian Narcos: Selling Drugs To The Queen (Ep 6)", hosts William Dalrymple and Anita Anand delve deeper into the intricate web of the 19th-century opium trade between Britain and China. Building upon the previous episode, which outlined the burgeoning opium crisis, this installment focuses on the key figures, systemic weaknesses, and pivotal events that culminated in the Opium War.

Jardine & Matheson: Architects of the Crisis

Anita Anand (00:35):
"They are these two Scotsmen, one a self-made man, one a down-at-heel aristocrat and clan chief who come together along with their brilliant Parsee partner. And they almost single-handedly create the crisis which resolves in the Opium War..."
— [00:35]

William and Anita explore how Jardine & Matheson, two influential Scottish businessmen, monopolized opium sales in China. Their operations introduced not only widespread addiction but also significant social and economic disruptions. By funneling opium to Chinese brigands and pirates, they exacerbated local instability, paving the way for imperial intervention.

The Chinese Empire: Strengths and Weaknesses

Anita Anand (04:12):
"There are still many strengths to the Chinese system. The civil service of China, the Mandarin system... produce often officials of great brilliance."
— [04:12]

Despite the chaos introduced by the opium trade, the Chinese imperial system showcased resilience. The Mandarin civil service, based on rigorous competitive examinations dating back to the Tang Dynasty, fostered highly capable officials. Among them was Commissioner Lin Ze Xiu, whose integrity and administrative prowess stood in stark contrast to the corruption plaguing the court under the weak Daoguang Emperor.

Commissioner Lin Ze Xiu: The Exemplary Official

William Dalrymple (06:02):
"Tell me about Commissioner Lin, because I'm absolutely fascinated because here is a man with a straight back and who is not corrupt..."
— [06:02]

Commissioner Lin Ze Xiu emerges as a pivotal character. Originating from a declining aristocratic family, Lin rose through the ranks by passing the stringent imperial examinations. By 1811, at just 26 years old, he attained the rank of Commissioner. Renowned for his honesty and dedication to public welfare, Lin became a trusted advisor to the Daoguang Emperor, especially concerning the opium crisis.

Charles Elliot: The British Superintendent's Folly

William Dalrymple (12:15):
"Elliot's like, no, I don't want to fight, I don't want to argue. Can't we all just get along?"
— [12:15]

Enter Charles Elliot, appointed as the British Superintendent of Trade in Canton after the East India Company relinquished its monopoly. Elliot's conciliatory approach aimed to legalize opium sales to mitigate conflicts with powerful traders like Jardine & Matheson. However, his lack of robust leadership and underestimation of the situation set the stage for disaster.

Anita Anand (12:35):
"...Commissioner Lin is on his way south with sort of extraordinary powers to smash everything up."
— [12:35]

Elliot's proposal to legalize opium was ultimately disregarded when Commissioner Lin, empowered by the Emperor, launched a stringent crackdown on the opium trade, marking the beginning of the Opium War.

The Escalation: From Policy to Conflict

William Dalrymple (27:01):
"You've got British nationals, you're saying they can't leave unless they acquiesce to what you're saying..."
— [27:01]

The episode details how Commissioner Lin's aggressive policies led to mass arrests and the confiscation of opium shipments. In a critical misstep, Charles Elliot attempted to maintain British favor by purchasing thousands of chests of opium, unaware of the financial abyss it would plunge the British government into. This act not only inflamed tensions but also underscored the unsustainable nature of Elliot's policies.

Anita Anand (31:30):
"But at the end of four days, no less than 20,283 chests of opium have been delivered into his care."
— [31:30]

Elliot's failure to secure adequate government funds to purchase the opium he had mandated merchants to surrender led to widespread chaos. The British traders' resentment towards Elliot and the oppressive measures taken by Commissioner Lin set the country on an inexorable path towards war.

Key Moments Leading to War

William Dalrymple (38:04):
"This is the crucial moment. This is where everything that follows in the rest of the year is dependent on this decision."
— [38:04]

As tensions peaked, Commissioner Lin ordered the destruction of opium stocks and issued ultimatums to British merchants. The inflexible stance led to violent confrontations, such as the December 1838 riot in Canton, where attempts to execute a local opium dealer escalated into widespread unrest. Elliot's inability to effectively mediate between the British traders and Chinese authorities further deepened the impasse.

Consequences and the Path to Opium War

Anita Anand (43:26):
"The mid 19th century... this solution, this victory of Commissioner Lin cannot be allowed to remain. So next episode, we'll see what happens."
— [43:26]

The episode concludes by highlighting the inevitable clash resulting from Elliot's miscalculations and Commissioner Lin's uncompromising policies. The resulting upheaval not only caused thousands of deaths but also laid the groundwork for the Opium War, marking the beginning of China's "Century of Humiliation" and extensive British colonial influence in Southeast Asia.

Notable Quotes

• Anita Anand (00:35):
  "They almost single-handedly create the crisis which resolves in the Opium War..."

• William Dalrymple (12:15):
  "Can't we all just get along?"

• Anita Anand (31:30):
  "No less than 20,283 chests of opium have been delivered into his care."

• William Dalrymple (38:04):
  "This is the crucial moment. This is where everything that follows in the rest of the year is dependent on this decision."

Conclusion

Episode 252 of Empire masterfully unpacks the intricate dynamics between British traders and Chinese officials during the opium crisis. Through compelling storytelling and insightful analysis, William Dalrymple and Anita Anand reveal how individual ambitions, bureaucratic inflexibility, and systemic corruptions intertwined to ignite one of history's most consequential conflicts—the Opium War. This episode not only sheds light on the historical events but also invites listeners to reflect on the enduring impacts of imperial power struggles.

For more in-depth explorations of history's pivotal moments, visit Goalhanger Podcasts and consider joining the Empire Club for exclusive content and benefits.