Before reading this article, I sincerely invite you to click "Follow", which is convenient for you to discuss and share, and brings you a different sense of participation, thank you for your support.
introduction
Behind the prosperity of Shanghai, there is a story about power, interests and personal destiny. His life is full of betrayal, intrigue and conscience, he is a gang leader, a traitor, a chaser of power and profit.
No matter how you evaluate it, his story will always be closely linked to the history of Shanghai and become a part of that era.
(Zhang Xiaolin)
First, have big ambitions: Zhang Xiaolin writes a new life path
From Ningbo to Hangzhou, young Zhang Xiaolin embarked on a new journey with his dreams and hopes. Zhang Xiaolin was born in Guangxu for twenty-three years, and he left his hometown early to pursue his destiny.
After moving, he entered the Zhejiang Wubei Academy and formed a deep friendship with a group of like-minded classmates.
Zhang Xiaolin met some classmates in the school, among which the closest ones were Zhang Zaiyang, Zhou Fengqi and Xia Chao.
These young people are ambitious and ambitious, and they learn, explore and grow together, motivating each other and chasing the light of their ideals together. In their interactions, the spark of friendship bursts out with infinite wisdom and passion, which has become an important support for each other's growth.
(Wubi School in the late Qing Dynasty)
The turning point of fate came in the twenty-sixth year of Guangxu, and in that year, Zhang Xiaolin faced an important choice. Although he was successfully admitted to the Armed Forces Academy, he could not adapt to the rigors of military training. For him, military training seemed too rigid, lacking space for freedom and creativity. He began to wonder if there was a more suitable path waiting for him to open up.
So, in a state of confusion and hesitation, Zhang Xiaolin decided to drop out of school. He decided to no longer be bound by the rules and dogmas of the school, but to find his own path.
(Zhang Xiaolin)
In Zhang Xiaolin's life after dropping out of school, he faced a series of unexpected challenges and dilemmas. Deprived of the shelter of the academy, he fell into the dilemma of having no work to do. However, he did not lose his courage and fighting spirit, but embarked on a risky anti-Japanese operation with his friend Chen Xiaoyi.
Qinghefang, Sanyuanfang and other places became the stage for their actions. In the face of the brutality of the Japanese invaders, Zhang Xiaolin and Chen Xiaoyi decided to express their anger and protest against the invaders with actions. They chose Qinghefang and Sanyuanfang as targets for their actions, and these areas usually had a large number of Japanese people.
(Photo of the late Qing Dynasty)
They went around beating and robbing the Japanese, in an extreme, but for them it was a silent protest. He hoped to express his anger and protest against the Japanese aggressors through his actions.
However, this incident soon attracted the attention of the Qing Yamen and was put to rest. Zhang Xiaolin and Chen Xiaoyi became targets of the campaign because of their leading role in the anti-Japanese campaign. Their actions aroused the concern and dissatisfaction of the Qing Yamen, because such violence could lead to more serious consequences and endanger social stability and order.
(Zhang Xiaolin on the right)
As the incident was calmed down, the Yan began to actively pursue Zhang Xiaolin and Chen Xiaoyi. They are seen as masterminds, meaning they are saddled with heavier responsibilities and risks. The manhunt may include extensive manhunts, interrogations and investigations to find evidence and secure their apprehension.
Under such circumstances, Chen Xiaoyi was arrested and imprisoned at Gongchen Bridge for a month, where he was punished and displayed by the Qing Dynasty. Zhang Xiaolin, on the other hand, knew that he could not escape the fate of being arrested. He feared being confessed by Chen Xiaoyi, further exacerbating the pressure on him to flee and hide.
He was forced to flee everywhere, and in order to survive and protect himself, he chose to sell incense sticks and incense candles in various garan and cemeteries to make ends meet. This change in life made him deeply feel the cruelty and hardship of life.
Second, in order to chase the chance of survival, Zhang Xiaolin embarked on the road to becoming a gangster
Even in the face of adversity, Zhang Xiaolin did not give up hope and pursuit.
(Zhang Xiaolin)
While selling incense candles, Zhang Xiaolin was unexpectedly noticed by Hang Xinzhai, the elder of the Heaven and Earth Society, and recruited him to become a member of the gang organization and a member of the revolutionary party. Joining Hang Xinzhai's protégé brought him a new identity and opportunity.
Under the guidance of Hang Xinzhai, Zhang Xiaolin led his men to fight, and on one occasion, he unfortunately beat to death a gentry who had studied in the West and committed a murder. In order to protect himself and the safety of the organization, he transferred the blame to his members and protected himself by apologizing. Although the crime was temporarily covered up by them, the government began to search and the situation became very dangerous.
In order to avoid being discovered by the government, Zhang Xiaolin decided to leave Hangzhou and secretly take away the wealth entrusted to him by Hang Xinzhai. He moved to Shanghai and joined Ji Yunqing, a local tycoon whom he had previously met because of a common hobby.
(Old Shanghai Brothel Street)
With Ji Yunqing's help, Zhang Xiaolin began working as a bodyguard in brothels and casinos, earning some wealth through these positions.
However, he was not satisfied with this, and using the experience he had seen in brothels, he began to traffic people himself and force people into prostitution. At the same time, he was also engaged in loan sharking and opening casinos. Soon, his wealth quickly accumulated and he became a rich man.
Zhang Xiaolin recruited his subordinates everywhere and became the leader of the underworld. Just as he began to monopolize the underground world, he remembered his father's friend Tang Guanjing, a businessman with rich life experience and bright minds in Shanghai. So, he decided to cooperate with Tang Guanjing and run a business together.
(Republic of China prostitutes)
Tang Guanjing is a disciple of the Qingbang Huang Jinrong and befriends the local medicine merchant Huang Chujiu. Zhang Xiaolin found six of the most beautiful singers to entertain Tang Guanjing and Huang Chujiu, each accompanied by three beautiful women. Huang Chujiu was very satisfied, and told Zhang Xiaolin at the banquet that if he wanted to gain a foothold in Shanghai, he must collude with the Qing Gang.
So, Huang Chujiu introduced Zhang Xiaolin to a teacher of the Qinggang, named Fan Jincheng. Fan Jincheng is famous, but he does not have much wealth in his body. Zhang Xiaolin generously donated and gave Fan Jincheng a sum of money.
Fan Jincheng did not hesitate to agree to accept Zhang Xiaolin as an apprentice, so that their cooperation officially began.
Third, the power and shame of the gangster giant, Zhang Xiaolin's gangster empire and the name of the traitor
In 1925, Zhang Xiaolin, together with Huang Jinrong and Du Yuesheng, partnered to run the Sanxin Company and began to monopolize the opium market in Shanghai. Sanxin's monopoly gave them the lifeblood of the opium trade.
(opium smoking)
Opium, a highly lucrative illicit commodity, has long been a gold mine in the underworld. Zhang and his partners cleverly capitalized on this market, manipulating supply chains and acquisition channels to sell opium to addicts seeking thrill and pain relief.
Sanxin is not only an opium trading enterprise, but also a huge gangster organization. With Zhang Xiaolin at their core, they have a strong network of subordinates and partners who control many important resources and key areas of Shanghai's underground society.
They developed in casinos, brothels, smuggling, etc., forming a huge empire of interests.
(Casino)
By establishing strong personal relationships and mutually beneficial cooperation, they have expanded their influence and strength, making Sanxin an unshakable giant in Shanghai's underground world. Sanxin became the mainstay of the Shanghai gangsters and mastered the lifeblood of the opium trade.
However, Zhang Xiaolin was not satisfied with personal success and wealth, he began to pursue higher political and social status. In 1927, Zhang Xiaolin, together with Huang Jinrong, Du Yuesheng and others, organized the Chinese Communist Party and actively supported Chiang Kai-shek's campaign to purge the Communists.
At that time, China was in a period of intensification of contradictions between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, and the contradictions between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party led by Chiang Kai-shek were intensifying. Chiang Kai-shek took a series of actions, including purging communists and suppressing the workers' movement, to consolidate his position.
(Zhang Xiaolin in the middle)
Zhang Xiaolin, along with Huang Jinrong, Du Yuesheng and others, chose to side with Chiang Kai-shek and support his policies and actions, because they cooperated with the Kuomintang and actively supported Chiang Kai-shek's actions.
This decision brought short-term economic gains to Zhang Xiaolin and his business, but left a stain on history.
As a member of the Chinese Communist Party, Zhang Xiaolin is not only a gang leader, but also plays an important role in the political field. He served as an advisor to the General Headquarters of the Army, Navy and Air Force, a major general on the Military Commission of the National Government, and a senator on the Executive Yuan.
These positions made him an important player in the military and political spheres of the country, and his opinions and decisions had a certain impact on the development of the country.
(One of the giants, Kim Rong)
Zhang Xiaolin's participation and support brought him a higher prestige and status, making him highly respected and feared in black and white in Shanghai and even the whole country.
However, behind his success and power, there are also dark and complex truths. His actions and decisions have been disputed and questioned, and his boundaries with politics and crime have become blurred.
Fourth, the fate and end of betrayal: Zhang Xiaolin became a traitor and was doomed
The outbreak of the War of Resistance against Japan in 1937 and the capture of Shanghai by the Japanese army were one of the most important turning points in Zhang Xiaolin's life. In the face of the Japanese attack, he made a decision that shocked everyone: surrender the Japanese and become a traitor.
(Japanese army captures Shanghai)
After Zhang Xiaolin surrendered, he actively cooperated with the Japanese army to establish a puppet government called the "Zhejiang Provincial Government" and was nominated as the governor.
By colluding with the Japanese army, this puppet government tried to maintain a certain degree of order and control in the occupied areas and provide a cover for legitimacy for Japanese occupation rule. For Zhang Xiaolin and others, joining this government means that they can obtain higher status and privileges, and satisfy their personal desire for power and wealth.
(Lin Huaibu)
Zhang Xiaolin's betrayal did not bring him good luck in the end. In 1940, he was shot and killed by his bodyguard, Lin Huaibu, and died in the Zhang Mansion on Huagezhu Road (now Ninghai West Road) in Shanghai.
Lin Huaibu is determined to assassinate Zhang Xiaolin at his home, but he knows that success must avoid arousing too much suspicion. He learns that Zhang Xiaolin always wears an iron vest, which adds difficulty to the assassination mission, so he must find a great opportunity.
So, Lin Huaibu began continuous and arduous pistol shooting training. He already had excellent marksmanship and was able to accurately hit targets at a distance of 100 paces. After a long period of hard training, his marksmanship became more accurate, and he was able to quickly aim at the target and fire in a short time. He was confident in the assassination mission.
(Picture and text are not related)
Finally, an opportunity arose. On August 14, a guest came to Zhang Xiaolin's house, and they went to the second floor to meet in his aunt's room. At this time, Lin Huaibu decided to start when Zhang Xiaolin sent the guests downstairs.
He understood that there could be no further delay and that immediate action must be taken. So, he found the driver, Ah Si, and asked him to go upstairs to help take a leave of absence under the pretext of going out. Lin Huaibu knew that Zhang Xiaolin did not allow his subordinates to disturb him during the meeting, so he deliberately quarreled with Ah Si, and the quarrel became louder and louder, and the voice reached upstairs.
Zhang Xiaolin heard the noise downstairs, couldn't help but stand up, stepped to the window, and asked sharply what happened. He deliberately provoked Zhang Xiaolin and provoked his anger. He pointed at Lin Huaibu and reprimanded, and his voice became higher and higher.
(Zhang Xiaolin stills)
Lin Huaibu saw that Zhang Xiaolin had completely entered the state, and he knew that it was time to start. Without hesitation, he took out the pistol prepared in advance from his arms and prepared to shoot at Zhang Xiaolin's head.
Lin Huaibu pulled the trigger. A gunshot rang out, and the bullet quickly shot towards Zhang Xiaolin, accurately hitting his head. Zhang Xiaolin immediately fell to the ground, and there was chaos and commotion around him. Lin Huaibu calmly put away the pistol, quickly left the scene, and disappeared into the crowd as much as possible.
(News of the assassination of Zhang Xiaolin)
The news spread quickly, and the news that Zhang Xiaolin was assassinated by Lin Huaibu shocked the entire Shanghai gangster circle. This former traitor and gang leader finally died at the hands of his own henchmen.
Zhang Xiaolin's life is full of twists and turns and controversies. In his early years, he actively participated in the anti-Japanese movement, but later chose to surrender and cooperate, becoming a representative of the traitors.
His fate also served as a warning in history, a reminder to uphold the principles of loyalty and justice and not to embark on the path of betrayal and surrender.
bibliography
Sima Lieren. Zhang Xiaolin's full biography : rogue tycoon[M]. China Literature and History Press, 2001.
WANG Jun. The inside story of the assassination of Zhang Xiaolin by Du Yuesheng, the boss of the military unification and gangster[J]. Legal Expo, 2014(5):4.