252. Victorian Narcos: Selling Drugs To The Queen (Ep 6)

Empire

Jack Davenport

History

4.6 • 4.1K Ratings

🗓️ 5 May 2025

⏱️ 53 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Who was Commissioner Lin and how did he crack down on foreign opium in China? Why was Charles Elliot so hopeless that he landed Queen Victoria with a bill owing millions to drug dealers? What was the Canton factory system and what was it like to live there? Anita and William meander through the at-times shocking story of how Victorian drug dealers willingly handed over millions of pounds worth of their product to Commissioner Lin, the emperor’s right-hand man. Empire Club: Become a member of the Empire Club to receive early access to miniseries, ad-free listening, early access to live show tickets, bonus episodes, book discounts, our exclusive newsletter, and access to our members’ chatroom on Discord! Head to empirepoduk.com to sign up. For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com. Email: [email protected] Instagram: @empirepoduk Blue Sky: @empirepoduk X: @empirepoduk Assistant Producer: Becki Hills Producer: Anouska Lewis Senior Producer: Callum Hill Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	If you want access to bonus episodes reading lists for every series of Empire, a chat community.
0:06.7	Discounts for all the books mentioned in the week's podcast, add free listening and a weekly newsletter,
0:12.5	sign up to Empire Club at www.mpowerpod.uk.com.
0:19.8	Kate's just off to work after sleeping in the best bed in the business.
0:23.6	And my word, doesn't she look ready for anything?
0:26.6	Something about her smile is just brighter.
0:29.6	Her eyes seem glintier, and she just feels so much more katier.
0:34.6	Of course it's no surprise really, because last night she slept at Premier Inn
0:39.5	and she got up to 15% off with business booker. Get better sleep for your money. Premier in, rest easy.
0:47.6	Teas and C is apply. The autopilot order. Now informal, the strong urge felt at the ordering
0:53.6	kiosk or drive-through that takes over
0:55.5	the entire body and mind and results in a person ordering a Big Mac without even having to think.
1:00.6	Related phrases. Looks like I've ordered a Big Mac again. The Autopilot Order at McDonald's.
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1:53.4	And me, William Duremberg.
	...

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