The Two Men Who Ruled The Underworld Of Old Shanghai: A Gripping Tale of Crime, Power, and Betrayal

City of Devils: The Two Men Who Ruled the Underworld of Old Shanghai

by Paul French

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	44118 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	311 pages

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In the tumultuous tapestry of early 20th century Shanghai, two formidable men emerged from the murky depths of the criminal underworld to cast their formidable shadows over the city's labyrinthine streets. Du Yuesheng and Zhang Xiaolin, renowned as the "Godfather" and "King of the Underworld," respectively, forged a symbiotic alliance that would forever alter the destiny of Shanghai's criminal landscape.

Du Yuesheng: The Godfather of Shanghai

Born in 1888 in the humble fishing village of Wusong, Du Yuesheng embarked on a path that would lead him to the pinnacle of Shanghai's criminal empire. His astute intellect and unwavering determination saw him rise through the ranks of the Green Gang, a powerful triad that held sway over much of the city's illegal activities.

Du Yuesheng's reputation as a ruthless enforcer and shrewd strategist earned him both respect and fear among his peers. He meticulously established a network of businesses, ranging from casinos and opium dens to textile factories and rice mills, which served as fronts for his illicit operations. His vast wealth and influence extended beyond Shanghai, reaching into the corridors of power in Nanjing and beyond.

Zhang Xiaolin: The King of the Underworld

In stark contrast to Du Yuesheng's humble origins, Zhang Xiaolin was born into a wealthy family in the prosperous city of Suzhou. Educated and well-versed in classical Chinese literature, Zhang possessed a keen intellect that he applied to the treacherous world of organized crime.

Zhang Xiaolin joined forces with Du Yuesheng in the early 1920s, recognizing the potential for an alliance between their respective gangs. Under Zhang's leadership, the Red Gang, another powerful triad, became an integral part of the Shanghai underworld. Zhang's cunning and diplomatic skills proved invaluable in forging alliances with other criminal groups and corrupt officials.

The Symbiotic Alliance

The partnership between Du Yuesheng and Zhang Xiaolin proved to be a formidable force in the Shanghai underworld. Their combined resources, networks, and strategic acumen allowed them to dominate illegal activities ranging from drug trafficking and prostitution to gambling and extortion.

Du Yuesheng's ruthlessness and Zhang Xiaolin's diplomatic finesse complemented each other perfectly. Together, they established an elaborate system of protection rackets, ensuring that businesses throughout Shanghai paid homage to their criminal empire. Their influence extended even to the city's police force, which they corrupted to ensure their operations could run smoothly.

The Downfall of the Underworld Kings

The reign of Du Yuesheng and Zhang Xiaolin over the Shanghai underworld came to an abrupt end in the late 1940s with the rise of the Chinese Communist Party. As the People's Liberation Army swept into the city, the criminal empire that the two men had meticulously built began to crumble.

Du Yuesheng fled to Hong Kong in 1949, where he continued to engage in criminal activities and maintain close ties with the Kuomintang government in Taiwan. Zhang Xiaolin, on the other hand, chose to stay in Shanghai and was arrested by the new communist authorities. He was publicly executed in 1951, marking the end of an era in Shanghai's criminal history.

Legacy of the Underworld Kings

The story of Du Yuesheng and Zhang Xiaolin provides a fascinating glimpse into the shadowy world of organized crime in old Shanghai. Their cunning, ruthlessness, and strategic brilliance allowed them to rise to the pinnacle of the criminal underworld and wield immense power over the city's underworld.

While their reign came to an end with the establishment of the communist government, their legacy continues to haunt the city. The tactics and networks they established continue to influence criminal activity in Shanghai to this day, underscoring the enduring impact of their reign over the underworld.

The story of Du Yuesheng and Zhang Xiaolin is a gripping tale of crime, power, and betrayal that has captured the imagination of historians, writers, and filmmakers alike. Their alliance transformed the Shanghai underworld, leaving a lasting legacy on the city's criminal landscape and providing a glimpse into the hidden world that existed beneath the surface of one of China's most vibrant and chaotic cities.

City of Devils: The Two Men Who Ruled the Underworld of Old Shanghai

by Paul French

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	44118 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	311 pages

FREE