Opium: Difference between revisions
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==History== | ==History== | ||
===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#Early history}}</ref> In the 18th century, the [[Europe]]ans sought to reintroduce the plant and recreational trade into China. The [[Far East Company]] from [[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.<ref name="EP 18">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 18|Episode 18]]</ref> | 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#Early history}}</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]] merchant [[Madam Lee]].<ref name="EP 18">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 18|Episode 18]]</ref> | ||
The [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]], seeking to | The [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Assassin]] [[Edward Kenway]], seeking to clear Madam 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 Madam Lee in order to concoct a plan to sabotage her rivals. Though Madam Lee was not against selling the opium for her own benefits, Edward ultimately convinced her not to do so, and subsequently destroyed a shipment of the drug on a ship belonging to the Far East Company, exposing the company's opium trafficking in the process.<ref name="EP 17">''[[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple]]'' – [[Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple Episode 17|Episode 17]]</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 #005]]</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 #005]]</ref> | ||
Revision as of 15:09, 29 August 2023
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He who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow. This article contains spoilers, meaning it has information and facts concerning Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple. If you do not want to know about these events, it is recommended to read on with caution, or not at all. |
Opium 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.[1]
History
China
Though initially introduced in China during the Tang dynasty, the use of opium was legal until it was banned by the Ming dynasty.[2] 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 merchant Madam Lee.[3]
The British Assassin Edward Kenway, seeking to clear Madam 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 Madam Lee in order to concoct a plan to sabotage her rivals. Though Madam Lee was not against selling the opium for her own benefits, Edward ultimately convinced her not to do so, and subsequently destroyed a shipment of the drug on a ship belonging to the Far East Company, exposing the company's opium trafficking in the process.[4]
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.[5]
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 population through its addiction.[6] Twenty years later, in 1888, the infamous Jack the Ripper usurped control of the Rooks and under his orders, the Rooks committed a number of crimes, including trafficking opium.[7][8]
Appearances
- Assassin's Creed: Syndicate (first appearance)
- Assassin's Creed: Templars (mentioned only)
- Assassin's Creed: Origins (mentioned only)
- Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple
References
- ↑
Opium on Wikipedia
- ↑ History of opium in China#Early history on Wikipedia
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple – Episode 18
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Forgotten Temple – Episode 17
- ↑ Assassin's Creed: Templars – Issue #005
- ↑ 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