Opium: Difference between revisions
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{{Quote|I tell you, dabbling in liquor is child's play compared to the devil's powder! It destroys people's very souls!|Edward Kenway explaining the dangers of opium to Lee Huiyin, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 17}} | {{Quote|I tell you, dabbling in liquor is child's play compared to the devil's powder! It destroys people's very souls!|Edward Kenway explaining the dangers of opium to Lee Huiyin, 1725.|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple|Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 17}} | ||
[[File:ACO Opium Pipe.png|thumb|250px|An opium pipe from 1st century BCE Egypt]] | [[File:ACO Opium Pipe.png|thumb|250px|An opium pipe from 1st century BCE Egypt]] | ||
'''Opium''', also known as the '''Devil's Powder''',<ref name="FT 17">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 17|Episode 17]]</ref> is a dried latex from the seed capsules of the opium [[Poppy|poppy plant]] ''{{Wiki|Papaver somniferum}}''. It is commonly used as a processed material to produce drugs such as heroin and synthetic opioids for medical use. It has also been mixed with [[tobacco]] for smoking.<ref>{{WP|Opium}} | '''Opium''', also known as the '''Devil's Powder''',<ref name="FT 17">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 17|Episode 17]]</ref> is a dried latex from the seed capsules of the opium [[Poppy|poppy plant]] ''{{Wiki|Papaver somniferum}}''. It is commonly used as a processed material to produce drugs such as heroin and synthetic opioids for medical use. It has also been mixed with [[tobacco]] for smoking.<ref>{{WP|Opium}}</ref> | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
===Egypt=== | |||
Opium's usage as a recreational drug dates as far back as ancient [[Egypt]], where Queen [[Cleopatra]] was notably an occasional consumer of the substance.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[Egypt's Medjay]]</ref> | |||
===China=== | ===China=== | ||
Though initially introduced in [[China]] during the [[Tang dynasty]], the use of opium was legal until it was banned by the [[Ming dynasty]].<ref name="Wiki">{{WP|History of opium in China}}</ref> In the 18th century, the [[Europe]]ans sought to reintroduce the plant and recreational trade into China. The [[Far East Company]] from the [[United Kingdom]] led by [[Alan Jacob]] sought to [[Smuggling|smuggle]] large quantities of the plant into [[Macau]] despite it being labelled a contraband by the local authorities. To cover up this operation, Alan attempted to frame his rival, the [[Qing dynasty|Qing]] businesswoman [[Lee Huiyin]].<ref name="FT 17" /> | Though initially introduced in [[China]] during the [[Tang dynasty]], the use of opium was legal until it was banned by the [[Ming dynasty]].<ref name="Wiki">{{WP|History of opium in China}}</ref> In the 18th century, the [[Europe]]ans sought to reintroduce the plant and recreational trade into China. The [[Far East Company]] from the [[United Kingdom]] led by [[Alan Jacob]] sought to [[Smuggling|smuggle]] large quantities of the plant into [[Macau]] despite it being labelled a contraband by the local authorities. To cover up this operation, Alan attempted to frame his rival, the [[Qing dynasty|Qing]] businesswoman [[Lee Huiyin]].<ref name="FT 17" /> | ||
[[File:ACFT - Opium smoking.png|thumb|240px|left|Far East Company employees smoking opium]] | [[File:ACFT - Opium smoking.png|thumb|240px|left|Far East Company employees smoking opium]] | ||
The [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]], seeking to clear Lee's name, traced a [[wagon]] shipment to a secret warehouse, where the opium was being stored. After dispatching the [[Soldier|guards]], Edward retrieved the shipment of opium for Lee in order to concoct a plan to sabotage her rivals. Though Lee was not against selling the opium for her own | The [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]], seeking to clear Lee's name, traced a [[wagon]] shipment to a secret warehouse, where the opium was being stored. After dispatching the [[Soldier|guards]], Edward retrieved the shipment of opium for Lee in order to concoct a plan to sabotage her rivals. Though Lee was not against selling the opium for her own benefit, Edward convinced her not to do so and subsequently staged a public [[raid]] on a Far East Company [[ship]] which was smuggling the opium into Macau, thus exposing the company's drug trafficking.<ref name="FT 17" /> | ||
Although the Far East Company's ship and its cargo were subsequently detained by the [[Dutch East India Company|Dutch Navy]], both Lee and her rival [[Sun (Hualien Trading Company)|Sun]] planned to get their hands on the opium. Sun employed [[Shimazu clan]] [[ninja]] led by [[Shimazu Saito]] to attack the ship and steal the drugs,<ref name="FT 19">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 19|Episode 19]]</ref> but they failed in this endeavor as they were overwhelmed by Lee's workers and forced to retreat.<ref name="FT 20">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 20|Episode 20]]</ref> However, Lee would not manage to steal the opium either, as both the ship and its cargo were ultimately destroyed by Edward with the help of his allies, [[John Young]] and [[Mustafa|Rupiya]].<ref name="FT 21">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 21|Episode 21]]</ref> | |||
Opium remained a lucrative black market business in China into the 20th century. When [[Chiang Kai-shek]] embarked on his [[Northern Expedition|campaign]] to reunify the nation under the [[Kuomintang]], he saw in the trade an enormous source of revenue for his military efforts. This was to the extent that, among other reasons, he valued partnership with {{wiki|Triad (organized crime)|Triad}}s over an alliance with the [[Templars]]. In [[Shanghai]], he struck a deal with the [[Green Gang]]'s crime boss [[Du Yuesheng]]. In return for the syndicate's service, Chiang offered him a position in his government where he could use the guise of cracking down on the illicit trade to establish a monopoly from which both he and the government could profit.<ref name="Templars 5">''[[Assassin's Creed: Templars]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Templars 5|Issue #05]]</ref> | |||
In 1928, the [[Black Cross]] [[Albert Bolden]], following his presumed death, started frequenting Chinese opium dens. While visiting one such den, he was approached by the Templar [[Rufus Grosvenor]], who had tracked him down to acquire the [[Koh-i-Noor]] under Bolden's protection. However, the Black Cross refused to disclose the artifact's location, and vanished while Grosvenor had his back turned.<ref name="ACUp 7">''[[Assassin's Creed: Uprising]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Uprising 7|Issue #07]]</ref> | |||
===Britain=== | ===Britain=== | ||
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ACFT - Edward finding opium.png|Edward Kenway finding crates of opium | ACFT - Edward finding opium.png|Edward Kenway finding crates of opium | ||
ACFT - Lee asking Edward to bring her opium.png|Madam Lee with an opium package | ACFT - Lee asking Edward to bring her opium.png|Madam Lee with an opium package | ||
ACUp Bolden encounters Grosvenor.JPG|Albert Bolden smoking opium | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
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**''[[Jack the Ripper (DLC)|Jack the Ripper]]'' | **''[[Jack the Ripper (DLC)|Jack the Ripper]]'' | ||
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Templars]]'' {{Mo}} | *''[[Assassin's Creed: Templars]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Uprising]]'' | |||
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' {{Mo}} | *''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' {{Mo}} | ||
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' | *''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' | ||
Revision as of 23:56, 16 July 2025
Opium, also known as the Devil's Powder,[1] is a dried latex from the seed capsules of the opium poppy plant Papaver somniferum. It is commonly used as a processed material to produce drugs such as heroin and synthetic opioids for medical use. It has also been mixed with tobacco for smoking.[2]
History
Egypt
Opium's usage as a recreational drug dates as far back as ancient Egypt, where Queen Cleopatra was notably an occasional consumer of the substance.[3]
China
Though initially introduced in China during the Tang dynasty, the use of opium was legal until it was banned by the Ming dynasty.[4] In the 18th century, the Europeans sought to reintroduce the plant and recreational trade into China. The Far East Company from the United Kingdom led by Alan Jacob sought to smuggle large quantities of the plant into Macau despite it being labelled a contraband by the local authorities. To cover up this operation, Alan attempted to frame his rival, the Qing businesswoman Lee Huiyin.[1]
The British Assassin Edward Kenway, seeking to clear Lee's name, traced a wagon shipment to a secret warehouse, where the opium was being stored. After dispatching the guards, Edward retrieved the shipment of opium for Lee in order to concoct a plan to sabotage her rivals. Though Lee was not against selling the opium for her own benefit, Edward convinced her not to do so and subsequently staged a public raid on a Far East Company ship which was smuggling the opium into Macau, thus exposing the company's drug trafficking.[1]
Although the Far East Company's ship and its cargo were subsequently detained by the Dutch Navy, both Lee and her rival Sun planned to get their hands on the opium. Sun employed Shimazu clan ninja led by Shimazu Saito to attack the ship and steal the drugs,[5] but they failed in this endeavor as they were overwhelmed by Lee's workers and forced to retreat.[6] However, Lee would not manage to steal the opium either, as both the ship and its cargo were ultimately destroyed by Edward with the help of his allies, John Young and Rupiya.[7]
Opium remained a lucrative black market business in China into the 20th century. When Chiang Kai-shek embarked on his campaign to reunify the nation under the Kuomintang, he saw in the trade an enormous source of revenue for his military efforts. This was to the extent that, among other reasons, he valued partnership with Triads over an alliance with the Templars. In Shanghai, he struck a deal with the Green Gang's crime boss Du Yuesheng. In return for the syndicate's service, Chiang offered him a position in his government where he could use the guise of cracking down on the illicit trade to establish a monopoly from which both he and the government could profit.[8]
In 1928, the Black Cross Albert Bolden, following his presumed death, started frequenting Chinese opium dens. While visiting one such den, he was approached by the Templar Rufus Grosvenor, who had tracked him down to acquire the Koh-i-Noor under Bolden's protection. However, the Black Cross refused to disclose the artifact's location, and vanished while Grosvenor had his back turned.[9]
Britain
In 1868, opium was used as one of the main ingredients in Starrick's Soothing Syrup, a concoction made by the Starrick Brewing Company as a means to control London's civilians through their addiction.[10] Twenty years later, the infamous killer Jack the Ripper usurped control of the Assassin-affiliated gang called the Rooks and ordered them to commit a number of crimes, including opium trafficking.[11][12]
Gallery
-
Edward Kenway finding crates of opium -
Madam Lee with an opium package -
Albert Bolden smoking opium
Appearances
- Assassin's Creed: Syndicate (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed: Templars (mentioned only)
- Assassin's Creed: Uprising
- Assassin's Creed: Origins (mentioned only)
- Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple
- Assassin's Creed: Mirage (mentioned only)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple – Episode 17
- ↑
Opium on Wikipedia
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins – Egypt's Medjay
- ↑ History of opium in China on Wikipedia
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple – Episode 19
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple – Episode 20
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple – Episode 21
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Templars – Issue #05
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Uprising – Issue #07
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Syndicate – Database: Starrick's Soothing Syrup
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Syndicate – Jack the Ripper – Opium Cargo
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Syndicate – Jack the Ripper – Database: Jack's Gang: The Rooks