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Huang JinrongChinese gangster, leader of the Green Gang in Shanghai
Country:
 China |
Content:
- Juan Jinzhun: The Chinese Gangster
- Rise to Power
- The Blue Express Incident
- Expansion and Influence
- Downfall and Retirement
- Later Years and Death
- The Influence of Miss Kwei
Juan Jinzhun: The Chinese Gangster
Juan Jinzhun, also known as "Scarface Juan," was a Chinese gangster and the leader of the "Green Gang" in Shanghai. Born in Shanghai, he initially worked as a shop boy. In 1892, he joined the French Concession police and rose through the ranks to become the chief inspector by 1917. His promotion was attributed to the fact that many French policemen had left for Europe to fight in the war. All Chinese detectives were under his command.
Rise to Power
By 1922, Juan had become one of the most influential figures in Shanghai's criminal underworld, thanks to bribery and the underground opium trade. The police turned a blind eye to his activities as long as high-profile criminal cases were solved and the interests of foreigners were protected. Although he officially became a member of the Green Gang in June 1923, he had been involved with them unofficially for some time.
The Blue Express Incident
On May 5, 1923, Chinese bandits hijacked the "Blue Express" train near Linchen in Shandong province, which was traveling from Beijing to Shanghai. Among the hostages were numerous wealthy foreigners, and Juan was tasked with negotiating with the kidnappers. In order to gain the necessary status, Juan officially joined the ranks of the Green Gang. Successfully resolving the Blue Express case further elevated his authority.
Expansion and Influence
Juan invested his opium earnings into theaters, casinos, brothels, and restaurants. His headquarters were located on Consul Road, where he met supplicants and agents. Du Yueshen, his right-hand man, would later become the leader of the Green Gang.
Downfall and Retirement
In the summer of 1924, Juan had a falling out with Lu Yuxian, the son of the governor of Shanghai. As a result, he was arrested by the authorities and released only after a significant ransom was paid. Du Yueshen acted as the intermediary in the negotiations with Lu Yuxian, and as a consequence, Juan "lost face," leading to Du becoming the first man in the Green Gang. Although Juan retired in 1925 to focus on charity work, he continued actively participating in the affairs of the Green Gang.
Later Years and Death
During the Japanese invasion in 1937, Juan supported Chiang Kai-shek. He stayed in Shanghai even after the city was occupied by the Japanese and declined to leave along with other high-ranking members of the Green Gang after the communists took power in 1949. On May 20, 1951, Juan published his "confessions" in the Wen Hui Bao newspaper, expressing his willingness to "repent honestly before the people." Juan passed away in 1953 in Shanghai after an illness.
The Influence of Miss Kwei
Juan's wife, Miss Kwei, was a former brothel madam in Suzhou and a trusted advisor to Juan in all his endeavors. It was Miss Kwei who introduced Du Yueshen to Juan when he was still very young. She also had her own profitable business in Shanghai, owning a sewage company. At that time, most houses in Shanghai lacked proper sanitation systems, and Miss Kwei sold the waste from night pots to peasants for use as fertilizer.
