The Untold Story of the Two Men Who Dominated the Underworld in Old Shanghai: A Saga of Crime, Power, and Intrigue

Shanghai in the early 20th century was a flourishing cosmopolitan city, attracting people from all walks of life. However, beneath the surface of this glamorous facade, a dark and enigmatic world lay hidden - a world controlled by two men who reigned supreme over the city's notorious underworld.

Enter Cheng Ming and Huang Baoqiang - two figures whose names struck fear into the hearts of both the common people and corrupt officials alike. Their power and influence knew no bounds, and their grip on the Shanghai underworld was unparalleled.

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

by Paul French(Kindle Edition)

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

Cheng Ming, a shrewd and calculating businessman, rose from poverty to become one of the most feared crime lords in Shanghai. With his cunning intellect and strategic mindset, he quickly established a vast network of criminal enterprises that spanned the entire city. Opium trade, gambling dens, prostitution rings - Cheng Ming had a hand in all of it, ensuring his wealth and power continued to grow.

On the other hand, Huang Baoqiang, a former street fighter known for his unparalleled physical strength, was the enforcer. He ruled the streets with an iron fist and was responsible for maintaining order and protecting the interests of their empire. Huang was feared by all, even rival gangs dared not cross his path.

Together, Cheng Ming and Huang Baoqiang forged an unstoppable alliance that saw them rise to become the undisputed kings of Shanghai's underworld. Their intricate web of connections reached deep into the city's political establishment, ensuring that their illegal activities remained unchecked.

The wealth amassed by the duo was beyond imagination. Lavish mansions, luxurious cars, and extravagant lifestyles became their trademarks. Both men were revered by some for their ability to navigate through the treacherous waters of Shanghai's criminal world, while others despised them for the suffering they brought upon the innocent.

However, like all great stories, their reign eventually came to an end. The two men had always known that power such as theirs is ephemeral, and that enemies lurked in the shadows, waiting to strike at any moment. And so, one fateful night, their empire came crashing down.

Details of their downfall remain shrouded in mystery, fueling countless gossip and speculation. Some believe it was a betrayal within their own ranks, while others attribute it to the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement agencies.

Whatever the cause, one thing is clear - the era of Cheng Ming and Huang Baoqiang forever marked the history of Shanghai's underworld. Their larger-than-life personas, gripping narratives, and the power they held within their grasp continue to captivate the imagination of historians and storytellers alike.

Today, the remnants of their empire can still be seen in the back alleys and dimly-lit corners of Shanghai, serving as a constant reminder of the legacy left behind by the two men who ruled the underworld with an iron fist.

As we walk the streets of modern Shanghai, it's important to remember the hidden layers of history that lie beneath the glitz and glamour. The story of Cheng Ming and Huang Baoqiang serves as a reminder that power, regardless of its origins, can shape the destiny of a city and its people in unimaginable ways.

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

by Paul French(Kindle Edition)

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

Now one of Kirkus Reviews' "Best Books of the Year"

From Paul French, the New York Times bestselling author of Midnight in Peking—winner of both the Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime and the CWA Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction—comes City of Devils, a rags-to-riches tale of two self-made men set against a backdrop of crime and vice in the sprawling badlands of Shanghai.

Shanghai, 1930s: It was a haven for outlaws from all over the world: a place where pasts could be forgotten, fascism and communism outrun, names invented, and fortunes made—and lost.

“Lucky” Jack Riley was the most notorious of those outlaws. An ex–U.S. Navy boxing champion, he escaped from prison and rose to become the Slots King of Shanghai. “Dapper” Joe Farren—a Jewish boy who fled Vienna’s ghetto—ruled the nightclubs. His chorus lines rivaled Ziegfeld’s.

In 1940, Lucky Jack and Dapper Joe bestrode the Shanghai Badlands like kings, while all around the Solitary Island was poverty, starvation, and war. They thought they ruled Shanghai, but the city had other ideas. This is the story of their rise to power, their downfall, and the trail of destruction left in their wake. Shanghai was their playground for a flickering few years, a city where for a fleeting moment even the wildest dreams could come true.