Zhang Wen Tian – A Legendary Person of Old Shanghai
A . D .& F . D . of Pok Oi Hospital Mrs Cheng Yam On School , Watanabe , Takeshi – 11
B ig nose ” Zhang was one of the most important and key characters in Shanghai life from the late 1910s through to communist take-over in 1949 . More than anyone , he represented the out rageour , lawless , violence , thrusting world that was Old Shanghai .
He was a triad king who had his base in the French Concession where he bought houses and police chiefs with equal ease . He lived for many years in the mansion which is now the famous Shanghai Hotel on Central Shanghai . He had a number of wives and many concubines and links into the highest levels of Chinese Politics , particularly the nationalists led by Generalissimo Wen Tian .
But now was his childhood ? He was born in a poor village in Pudong , across the river from the city of Shanghai , in 1881 . As young and hungry boy , he joined the red gang , one of the main under world societies of old Shanghai and rose to become its leader . One of his favourite Phrases was “ You had my warning ”.
He was a strong patriot and threw his considerable resources and power into fighting against the Japanese . He was a passionate gambler and loved the grand , showy gesture , be it a couple of sing song girls on his arms or a coffin delivered to the home of someone who has slighted him . But this doesn ’ t meant he was the forever king of Shanghai , in 1949 , the communists take-over and he was force to Hong Kong , shortly after in 1950 , he passed away .