Governor Yeh (also known as Ye Mingchen) was a prominent official in the Qing dynasty during the Second Opium War. He served as the governor of Guangzhou (then known as Canton), a major trading center in southern China, and was responsible for enforcing the imperial ban on opium and foreign trade.

During the Second Opium War, which lasted from 1856 to 1860, British and French forces launched a series of attacks on Chinese ports and cities in retaliation for China's refusal to allow the importation of opium. Governor Yeh played a significant role in the conflict, and his actions and decisions had a significant impact on the outcome of the war.

In 1857, British and French forces began bombarding Canton in an attempt to force China to open its ports to foreign trade. Governor Yeh refused to surrender and instead organized a defense of the city. However, the British and French eventually succeeded in capturing Canton, and Governor Yeh was taken prisoner and sent to Calcutta (now Kolkata), India, where he was held for several years.

Despite his imprisonment, Governor Yeh remained a symbol of resistance and anti-foreign sentiment in China, and his name became synonymous with patriotism and loyalty to the Qing dynasty. After his release, he returned to China and continued to serve in various official capacities until his death in 1878.

Overall, Governor Yeh was a controversial figure during the Second Opium War, and opinions about him vary widely. Some view him as a hero who stood up to foreign aggression and defended Chinese sovereignty, while others criticize his handling of the conflict and his failure to prevent the capture of Canton.