國霖幼時隨父學習,江國霖從小便受到良好家庭的教育,幼時在其父開的塾館中學習。他聰穎嗜學,攻讀刻苦,英敏強記,出語尺人。三歲讀<三字經>,<唐詩三百首>,四(si)歲(sui)學寫文章(zhang),15歲(sui)便被(bei)錄入(ru)縣學為諸生(秀(xiu)才),16歲(sui)補博士弟子。知府孫益廷(ting)對(dui)其頗為鐘愛,推薦到綏定府學深造,獎給助學補貼。江國(guo)霖學習勤奮(fen),雞窗攻讀(du),刻苦攻讀(du),風(feng)雨無間(jian),曾題聯(lian)自勉(mian)曰:“奮(fen)起精神,讀(du)落(luo)滿天星斗(dou);養成羽(yu)翼,沖(chong)破萬里(li)云煙。”可見他從小(xiao)便有凌云之志。
道光十(shi)一(yi)年(nian)(nian)(1831),國(guo)霖(lin)鄉試(shi)中(zhong)舉,十(shi)八年(nian)(nian),取為進士。殿試(shi)一(yi)甲第三(san)(即任翰(han)林院編修。次年(nian)(nian),任廣西(xi)主考(kao)。時大溶病歿,國(guo)霖(lin)奔喪回家,守制于童家禹王宮(gong)內。建(jian)"聽(ting)風樓"書房,博覽古(gu)今古(gu)典籍,間(jian)或步至田間(jian),詢部民(min)間(jian)疾苦。三(san)年(nian)(nian)服滿。出任須天鄉試(shi)同考(kao)宮(gong),繼為江南(nan)主考(kao),國(guo)史館協(xie)修,庶吉士教習和湖北(bei)學政。從(cong)政之余(yu),潛心研讀典籍,貫(guan)穿諸(zhu)子百家,羨纂注成書。士民(min)爭購(gou),一(yi)時轟動京城(cheng)。
道光二十八年(nian)(1848)春(chun),江(jiang)國(guo)霖出(chu)任(ren)惠(hui)州知府。到(dao)任(ren)伊始(shi),立即(ji)清理積案,親審訟詞,及時快斷。未逾半年(nian),署中案牘一空。他閑(xian)時還微服出(chu)訪,了(le)解百姓疾苦(ku),調查匪情(qing)盜情(qing),及時施(shi)治。惠(hui)州地處(chu)東江(jiang)下游,水患頻繁,十年(nian)九澇(lao),道光二十八年(nian)八月大水復(fu)又(you)為災(zai),沿江(jiang)數縣一片汪洋(yang)。江(jiang)國(guo)霖緊急動員搶險救(jiu)災(zai),命令部(bu)屬全力(li)以(yi)赴,自(zi)出(chu)俸銀,倡捐(juan)巨(ju)金,并親到(dao)災(zai)區慰問疾苦(ku),廣施(shi)錢糧,設(she)站施(shi)粥(zhou)普救(jiu)災(zai)民。公務之余,則考惠(hui)州歷史古跡、修山川名勝、浚(jun)治臺池、廣植桃(tao)李等。對(dui)于江(jiang)國(guo)霖守惠(hui)最大功績,則是修筑惠(hui)州城垣,保一郡平(ping)安。
惠(hui)(hui)州城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)俗稱(cheng)鵝城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),是一座具有1000多(duo)年(nian)歷史的文(wen)化名城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)。府(fu)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)池建(jian)設,宋以(yi)前無考。入宋后(hou)(hou)有城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)但(dan)甚(shen)窄小(xiao)(xiao),東(dong)北(bei)臨江,西(xi)(xi)南(nan)止(zhi)于今步行街國慶路(lu)與五四路(lu)之間,瀕(bin)臨西(xi)(xi)湖。明洪武(wu)三年(nian)(1370),知府(fu)萬迪與守御千戶朱永率軍(jun)民(min)開始擴城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng),到洪武(wu)二(er)十(shi)二(er)年(nian)竣工(gong),自此奠定(ding)了(le)(le)明、清兩(liang)朝(chao)數(shu)百年(nian)惠(hui)(hui)州府(fu)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)的規(gui)模和(he)(he)格局。據(ju)方志記載:明城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)擴建(jian)后(hou)(hou)設置七門(men)(men)(men):東(dong)曰(yue)(yue)惠(hui)(hui)陽門(men)(men)(men)、西(xi)(xi)曰(yue)(yue)西(xi)(xi)湖門(men)(men)(men)、南(nan)曰(yue)(yue)橫岡(gang)門(men)(men)(men)、北(bei)曰(yue)(yue)朝(chao)京門(men)(men)(men)、今小(xiao)(xiao)東(dong)門(men)(men)(men)曰(yue)(yue)合江門(men)(men)(men)、今小(xiao)(xiao)西(xi)(xi)門(men)(men)(men)曰(yue)(yue)東(dong)升門(men)(men)(men),今水門(men)(men)(men)曰(yue)(yue)會源門(men)(men)(men)。城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)內以(yi)水門(men)(men)(men)至(zhi)小(xiao)(xiao)西(xi)(xi)門(men)(men)(men)為中線(xian)分為兩(liang)部(bu)分,東(dong)北(bei)為民(min)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)給百姓居住,西(xi)(xi)南(nan)為軍(jun)城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)給惠(hui)(hui)州衛駐軍(jun)。此后(hou)(hou)在景泰二(er)年(nian)(1451),嘉靖二(er)十(shi)年(nian)(1541)、三十(shi)五年(nian)、三十(shi)八年(nian)和(he)(he)崇禎十(shi)三年(nian)(1640)進行了(le)(le)五次重(zhong)修,惠(hui)(hui)州城(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)墻(qiang)得(de)以(yi)增(zeng)高(gao)、加厚。
入清(qing)后至道(dao)光年間(jian)(jian),由(you)于城(cheng)(cheng)垣(yuan)年久失(shi)修,傾(qing)倒十余(yu)處,瓦礫充塞其間(jian)(jian),致使惠州(zhou)城(cheng)(cheng)無(wu)險可守。江國霖(lin)之前的(de)幾任太守曾謀劃(hua)重修,都因工(gong)程浩大,難(nan)以籌措資(zi)金而(er)作罷。為此,江國霖(lin)上任后設法(fa)集郡中(zhong)十屬紳富捐修,此舉得(de)到郡中(zhong)十屬紳富的(de)大力支持(chi)和踴躍捐助,最后共得(de)緡錢十余(yu)萬,后遂(sui)擇日(ri)開(kai)工(gong)。修城(cheng)(cheng)開(kai)工(gong)后,江國霖(lin)親自(zi)來往巡(xun)視(shi),監督進度(du)和檢查質量,寒(han)風(feng)酷日(ri)未(wei)嘗間(jian)(jian)斷。歷二(er)載(zai),惠州(zhou)城(cheng)(cheng)垣(yuan)修筑一(yi)新。新城(cheng)(cheng)垣(yuan)周圍一(yi)千三百(bai)六十丈(俗稱“七里(li)三”),高二(er)丈二(er)尺(chi)(chi),城(cheng)(cheng)基寬二(er)丈;筑甕城(cheng)(cheng)五(wu)座(zuo)(zuo),高、厚與主城(cheng)(cheng)同;筑城(cheng)(cheng)雉堞(die)1614個(ge),每堞(die)廣6尺(chi)(chi),厚1尺(chi)(chi)5寸(cun);筑城(cheng)(cheng)樓7座(zuo)(zuo),各高3丈4尺(chi)(chi),廣三楹,可容(rong)四、五(wu)百(bai)人;筑炮臺28座(zuo)(zuo),選(xuan)擇地(di)勢扼要而(er)置。
新城(cheng)共開七(qi)門(men)(men)(men),分別為(wei)(wei)(wei)平湖(hu)門(men)(men)(men)(原(yuan)大(da)西(xi)門(men)(men)(men))、朝京門(men)(men)(men)(俗稱(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)北(bei)門(men)(men)(men)),環(huan)山門(men)(men)(men)(俗稱(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)小西(xi)門(men)(men)(men))、遵海門(men)(men)(men)(俗稱(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)南(nan)門(men)(men)(men)),惠(hui)陽(yang)門(men)(men)(men)(俗稱(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)大(da)東門(men)(men)(men))、合(he)江(jiang)門(men)(men)(men)(俗稱(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)小東門(men)(men)(men))、會源門(men)(men)(men)(俗稱(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)水門(men)(men)(men)),江(jiang)國霖(lin)親為(wei)(wei)(wei)各個城(cheng)門(men)(men)(men)題(ti)額。他又(you)為(wei)(wei)(wei)座落(luo)于西(xi)湖(hu)與(yu)鵝湖(hu)(今明月灣東南(nan)與(yu)步行街(jie)五(wu)四路口(kou))之(zhi)間(jian)(jian)為(wei)(wei)(wei)城(cheng)內供水的碧水關題(ti)額,曰(yue)“廉(lian)(lian)(lian)讓(rang)(rang)之(zhi)間(jian)(jian)”。“廉(lian)(lian)(lian)讓(rang)(rang)之(zhi)間(jian)(jian)”典出南(nan)北(bei)朝劉宋明帝(di)與(yu)范百(bai)(bai)年(nian)(nian)的一則對話:“宋梁州(zhou)范百(bai)(bai)年(nian)(nian)因(yin)事謁明帝(di),帝(di)言(yan)次及廣州(zhou)貪(tan)泉,因(yin)問(wen)之(zhi)曰(yue):‘卿州(zhou)復有此(ci)水否?’百(bai)(bai)年(nian)(nian)答曰(yue):‘梁州(zhou)唯有文(wen)川(chuan)武鄉,廉(lian)(lian)(lian)泉讓(rang)(rang)水。’又(you)問(wen):‘卿宅何處?’曰(yue):‘臣(chen)居廉(lian)(lian)(lian)讓(rang)(rang)之(zhi)間(jian)(jian)。’上稱(cheng)(cheng)(cheng)善。后(hou)除梁州(zhou)刺史。”(據宋·劉敞所(suo)撰的《南(nan)北(bei)朝雜錄》)此(ci)后(hou)“廉(lian)(lian)(lian)泉讓(rang)(rang)水”和“臣(chen)居廉(lian)(lian)(lian)讓(rang)(rang)之(zhi)間(jian)(jian)”兩句,被用作歷代為(wei)(wei)(wei)官(guan)清廉(lian)(lian)(lian)的代名詞,也(ye)是(shi)江(jiang)國霖(lin)為(wei)(wei)(wei)官(guan)倡(chang)導(dao)廉(lian)(lian)(lian)政、勤政的實例。
道(dao)光二十九年,出任雷兵備道(dao)。距城十里,有海(hai)(hai)口(kou)鎮。過去商船云集,市場繁(fan)華,后(hou)因西洋(yang)海(hai)(hai)盜數(shu)次來動,官兵畏而不(bu)出,賊焰益張,以致(zhi)商旅(lv)裹足,百(bai)業(ye)蕭條(tiao)。國霖到(dao)任后(hou),立即巡(xun)視海(hai)(hai)岸,增(zeng)筑炮臺,征募船只,并在水軍中(zhong)破格提拔優秀士兵黃開廣,吳全美(mei)等多(duo)人。委以重任。派(pai)遣(qian)出海(hai)(hai)巡(xun)。先后(hou)捕獲西洋(yang)海(hai)(hai)匪(fei)100余人,海(hai)(hai)患遂平。自(zi)是瓊海(hai)(hai)數(shu)千里,商船往來,繁(fan)榮如舊。
儋州,歷來黎(li)漢雜居。咸豐(feng)元年(1851),土客籍失和,紛爭迅速擴大,危及省城,官吏(li)驚惶不安。國霖(lin)受命(ming)彈(dan)壓,揮兵進至那達(da)墟。自思黎(li)人此舉,全(quan)系受人蒙騙。,只適當用(yong)兵,不就更多(duo)流(liu)血。乃(nai)不聽從人勸(quan)阻,毅(yi)然乘轎獨往黎(li)寨,面(mian)見頭人,陳(chen)說利害。黎(li)人深受感動(dong),遂負荊請罪(zui),表示和睦相處,誓不相殘。國霖(lin)更給(gei)布(bu)匹酒食,予以撫(fu)慰,并撥款修理房舍(she),安置(zhi)流(liu)亡(wang),醫治戰爭創(chuang)傷。儋州遂寧(ning)。
國(guo)霖治瓊,獎(jiang)勵耕織,警戒游(you)惰(duo)。提(ti)倡親友睦(mu)鄰(lin),化息訟爭。興辦學校舍以明(ming)禮,育人才。親到瓊臺書院講學,并籌(chou)款三千元設獎(jiang)鼓勵勤奮師生。瓊州好學之風日(ri)盛(sheng)。
三年,以政縛卓著,被推(tui)薦為廣東按察(cha)使,旋升廣東布政使。國(guo)霖夙夜匪懈,案(an)頭(tou)公文,日有數尺,皆一一過目(mu),細心審閱。廣東鹽務,歷來弊不(bu)少,以至課稅難(nan)收(shou)。究其原(yuan)因,多(duo)系(xi)官府自身不(bu)廉所致(zhi)。國(guo)霖認為"官無(wu)私(si)而后(hou)能緝私(si),先恤商而后(hou)能治商"。乃斷(duan)然廢(fei)除原(yuan)附(fu)在(zai)鹽價上衙(ya)門(men)雜(za)費。接著,又(you)嚴(yan)格緝私(si),肅貪(tan)倡(chang)廉。鹽政得(de)以整頓。國(guo)霖常說:"患在(zai)內,不(bu)在(zai)外(wai)",要求下屬令必果行,嚴(yan)禁推(tui)諉拖拉。
奮起抗英咸豐四年(1854),廣(guang)州(zhou)(zhou)、東莞(guan)、惠(hui)州(zhou)(zhou)等地(di)亂民(min)暴動,地(di)方(fang)官府無力(li)鎮壓,致(zhi)使惠(hui)屬之(zhi)博羅、河源及(ji)近郡之(zhi)東莞(guan)、增城(cheng)、花(hua)縣(xian)、龍門、從(cong)(cong)化等縣(xian)相(xiang)繼城(cheng)陷,外(wai)地(di)難民(min)從(cong)(cong)四面八方(fang)紛紛涌(yong)入惠(hui)州(zhou)(zhou)城(cheng)避亂。是(shi)年閏七(qi)月,翟(zhai)火(huo)姑(gu)率數萬之(zhi)眾(zhong)圍(wei)攻惠(hui)州(zhou)(zhou)城(cheng)。由于江(jiang)國(guo)霖(lin)主持修(xiu)筑的(de)(de)惠(hui)州(zhou)(zhou)府城(cheng)垣(yuan)(yuan)規格高(gao)、質量好,充(chong)分(fen)利用了四面環水的(de)(de)地(di)理優勢,在(zai)軍(jun)事方(fang)面有很(hen)高(gao)防御能力(li)。翟(zhai)火(huo)姑(gu)攻城(cheng)數月,官民(min)得以固守,有效地(di)保護了全(quan)城(cheng)民(min)眾(zhong)生命財(cai)產,全(quan)賴江(jiang)國(guo)霖(lin)修(xiu)筑城(cheng)垣(yuan)(yuan)之(zhi)力(li)。故(gu)民(min)間有:“鐵鏈鎖孤舟,白鵝水面游。任憑天下亂,此地(di)永無憂。”的(de)(de)謠諺(yan)。
咸豐六(liu)年(nian)冬,英國軍隊(dui)竄到佛山(shan)騷亂(luan)。次(ci)年(nian)十(shi)一月入侵省城;動走制(zhi)府(fu)。國霖極為憤慨,遂(sui)召集官吏(li),商討對策;清理內奸(jian),儲備(bei)資糧,整理鄉團(tuan)武裝,準備(bei)隨時迎擊英軍再次(ci)來犯。
咸豐八年(1858),江(jiang)國(guo)(guo)(guo)霖(lin)(lin)再擢升為廣東(dong)巡(xun)撫,他更是(shi)勤政愛民(min),事(shi)必躬親,嚴厲(li)整頓吏治,因而得(de)罪(zui)了不少官僚和貪官。他們買通朝廷權貴(gui),對江(jiang)國(guo)(guo)(guo)霖(lin)(lin)進行誣陷,不久(jiu)江(jiang)國(guo)(guo)(guo)霖(lin)(lin)即被彈劾落職,移(yi)駐(zhu)惠(hui)(hui)州。惠(hui)(hui)州父老聞江(jiang)國(guo)(guo)(guo)霖(lin)(lin)至,狂走相告(gao)。據(ju)《大竹(zhu)(zhu)縣志》記載,當時“老者扶(fu)杖迎道左(zuo),婦(fu)女兒(er)童嬉嬉倚茅檐,竊窺大人顏色(se);戶戶張彩焚香,爆竹(zhu)(zhu)聲響徹(che)十里”。江(jiang)國(guo)(guo)(guo)霖(lin)(lin)進入行館后,郡民(min)敬送(song)的檳榔、椰(ye)粟等(deng)物(wu)品充盈(ying)戶外,感恩問候者踵接(jie)(jie)肩摩而至。郡民(min)這(zhe)樣盛情迎接(jie)(jie)一位卸任官員,在(zai)惠(hui)(hui)州歷史(shi)上僅(jin)此(ci)一次。江(jiang)國(guo)(guo)(guo)霖(lin)(lin)寓(yu)惠(hui)(hui)數月后返回家鄉,不久(jiu)病逝,年僅(jin)50歲。
國霖(lin)身體魁梧,內嚴外謙,生(sheng)活(huo)儉樸,在粵做官司(si)十(shi)年(nian),未置田產,薪俸(feng)多(duo)接(jie)濟別人(ren)。咸豐年(nian)間,錄(lu)取秀(xiu)貢,朝廷(ting)有捐銀增額規定(ding)。國霖(lin)不(bu)忘桑梓,曾(ceng)為家鄉(xiang)捐薪俸(feng)萬兩,使(shi)大(da)竹每年(nian)得以多(duo)取秀(xiu)才一名。一生(sheng)所著詩(shi)極多(duo),經精先留存編有《夢(meng)溪(xi)齋詩(shi)集(ji)》,《隨月山房文集(ji)》等收若干卷。觀(guan)察林氏稱其詩(shi)"清新雋逸,洗凈鉛華,足為性情淡雅,具有仙骨(gu)"。遭(zao)權貴彈劾后又(you)回到(dao)惠州,得到(dao)惠州市(shi)民(min)的熱(re)情款待,后來(lai)惠州郡民(min)繪制了江(jiang)國霖(lin)畫像,與蘇東(dong)坡、陳偁合并祀之,供于三賢祠中。