Wu Lingli, a director of the Guangzhou Shisanhang Cultural Promotion Association, recently partnered with Wubi Zhen, a resident of Sacramento, California, to launch a search for the descendants of Wu Bingjian, a renowned Qing Dynasty merchant known for being one of the wealthiest individuals in the world during his time. Their aim is to reconnect with long-lost relatives and continue the family lineage through this initiative.
Wu Bingjian (1769-1843), also known by his courtesy name Chengzhi and nickname Pinghu, conducted business under the name Howquan. As the principal of Jardine Matheson, he amassed a significant fortune through international trade in the early 19th century. His contributions to global commerce earned him a reputation as the richest person of his era, significantly influencing maritime trade. He also ventured into investments in the American West through partnerships with railroad magnate John Murray Forbes.
His wealth and status rendered him exceptionally notable in the Western world. In 2001, The Wall Street Journal recognized him as one of the 50 wealthiest individuals of the last millennium. Unlike other historical Chinese figures who gained wealth through power, Wu Bingjian’s success came from his entrepreneurial spirit, bringing immense honor to the Wu family of Guangzhou’s Thirteen Factories.
However, as generations passed, the connections to Wu Bingjian’s descendants in America began to fade. Wu Lingli and Wubi Zhen’s recent efforts to find these relatives aim to rectify this loss and reunite a once-thriving family.
The remarkable life of Wu Bingjian not only shaped the development of trade in modern Chinese history but also left a lasting impact on the railroad industry in the United States. Through their search, Wu Lingli and Wubi Zhen aspire to continue this family story that spans two centuries, reuniting the descendants of the Wu family around the globe.
