Statue of Chen Huacheng

Statue of Chen Huacheng

A statue of Chen Huacheng, a national hero who resisted the British, stands in Linjiang Park. During the Opium War, in June 1842, when British warships attacked Wusongkou, Chen’s superior, Liangjiang Viceroy Niu Jian, sought to sue for peace with the British. At that time, Chen served as the Jiangnan Regional Commander. He cast bronze cannons, built artillery emplacements, manufactured gunpowder, trained soldiers, and actively fortified defenses at Wusongkou, firmly opposing any peace negotiations. When the British forces launched their attack, the 67-year-old Chen Huacheng led his troops in a brave counteroffensive. At the Wusongkou fortifications, he damaged several British ships and engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy, successfully repelling their assault. However, after Viceroy Niu Jian retreated without a fight and fled in disarray from Baoshan, the British troops landed and attacked the western battery from the rear. Chen Huacheng held his position to the last, sustaining seven wounds before dying a martyr for his country.