In 1839 Lin Tse Shu was posted as Royal Commissioner in Canton. He was an efficient and strong-willed person. The Chinese government wanted to finish the opium trade in toto through him.
Owing to his harsh policy, the British traders handed over their entire opium to the Chinese officers on the advice of the British officer, Charles Illiot.
On the order of the Chinese Royal Commissioner twenty thousand wooden boxes of opium were consigned to the river and lime and salt was put in these boxes.
This incident created tension between China and England. The Chinese officers also warned the British traders that they should not deal in opium in future; otherwise they will be executed as per the law of China.
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Gradually both the countries began to lean towards war. The aggressive attitude of the Chinese government was a factor leading to the hostilities.