March 15th, 1949 2:00am Bumpy Johnson got the call boss we got a problem what kind of problem Chinese gang just hit three of our opium houses took everything 50 kilos killed two of our guys bumpy sat up in bed Mamie stirred beside him who Hip Sing Tong from Chinatown Bumpy knew the name one of the oldest Chinese gangs in New York violent organized territorial but they’d never touched Harlem before where are they now gone back to Chinatown with our product yes boss Bumpy got dressed I’ll be there in 20 minutes he arrived at the first Opium House

one thirty second street police everywhere bodies covered with sheets his men standing around angry scared Junie Bird gave the report they came in fast six men armed with hatchets and guns killed Bobby and Marcus took all the opium left this he handed bumpy a card red with a black dragon and Chinese characters what does it say Stephanie Saint Clair stepped forward she’d Learned Chinese years ago during her own wars with Chinese gangs it says Harlem is ours now leave or die bumpy crumpled the card who’s their leader Tommy Chen

age 32 former Korean War soldier took over Hip Sing Tong two years ago been expanding ever since took over most of Chinatown now he wants Harlem bumpy looked at the bodies at his men at the destroyed opium house then spoke quietly find Tommy Chen tell him I want to meet you want to negotiate no I want to look him in the eye before I destroy him March 16th, 1949 10:00am the message was delivered to Chinatown Tommy Chen’s response came back within an hour on a card same red same dragon no meeting leave Harlem or die like your men

Junie read it he’s not going to negotiate then we go to war with the Chinese yes boss they’re ruthless they don’t fight like the Italians they use hatchets poison they’re not afraid to die neither am I Willy Jackson stepped forward how do we hit them we don’t not yet why not because I need to understand them first what they want why now who’s backing them then we strike bumpy called Doctor Sarah Chen his personal physician for eight years Chinese from the same community as Hip Sing Tong she answered on The Third Ring

Doctor Chen I need your help what’s wrong are you injured no but I need information about what about a gang Hip Sing Tong and a man named Tommy Chen there was silence on the line Doctor Chen I can’t help you with that why not because Tommy Chen is my brother March 16th, 1949 two PM Bumpy drove to Doctor Chen’s clinic in Chinatown dangerous territory but he went alone showing respect Doctor Chen met him at the door Mister Johnson this is not safe for you here I know then why come because I need to understand come inside in her office

Doctor Chan explained Tommy is my younger brother he’s not a bad person just damaged how he went to Korea fought in the war saw terrible things when he came back he was different angry violent he joined Hip Sing Tong rose through the ranks became leader two years ago and now he’s expanding into Harlem yes why because he wants to prove himself to the elders to the community to our parents by taking Harlem he shows he’s powerful that Chinese can control more than just Chinatown bumpy leaned forward Doctor Chen eight years ago you saved my life when I was shot

no hospital would take me but you did I owe you she nodded yes you do so I’m asking for that debt help me avoid a war I don’t want to kill your brother but I will if I have to Doctor Chen was quiet then spoke what do you want a meeting face to face with Tommy you me him neutral ground no weapons just talk she shook her head he won’t agree make him agree how tell him that if he doesn’t meet I’ll burn Chinatown to the ground Doctor Chen’s eyes went wide he wouldn’t try me your brother killed two of my men stole 50 kilos of opium threatened my organization

I’m offering one chance to resolve this peacefully if he refuses I’ll assume he wants war and I’ll give it to him Doctor Chen stared at bumpy saw he wasn’t bluffing I’ll talk to him thank you but Mr Johnson yes if you hurt my brother our debt is paid and you’ll be my enemy understood March 18th, 1949 eight PM the meeting was set Doctor Chen’s clinic after hours neutral ground bumpy arrived with Junie Tommy Chen arrived with Vincent the Blade Wong his enforcer they sat across from each other Doctor Chen between them

Tommy spoke first in English with a slight accent you’re Bumpy Johnson I am I’ve heard of you king of Harlem former king Harlem is mine now bumpy smiled you killed two of my men they were in the way you stole my product it’s my product now you threatened me it’s not a threat it’s a fact Harlem belongs to Hip Sing Tong we’re expanding and you’re in the way bumpy leaned back Tommy let me tell you something I’ve been running Harlem for 20 years I fought the Italians the Irish the police the government all of them tried to take what’s mine

all of them failed you think you’re different yes why because I’m willing to die so am I then we’ll die together Doctor Chen interrupted stop both of you this is exactly what I was afraid of two stubborn men too proud to compromise Tommy Bumpy saved my life once and Bumpy Tommy is my brother I won’t let you kill each other then what do you suggest Tommy asked partnership both men stared at her what Doctor Chen continued you both want the same thing money power respect why fight over it when you can share it Tommy shook his head I don’t share

neither do I bumpy said then you’re both fools she stood up walked to the window looked out at Chinatown do you know what’s happening in this community the Italians are squeezing us taking our businesses forcing us out we’re being pushed into smaller and smaller territory Tommy is expanding into Harlem because he has no choice there’s nowhere else to go bumpy looked at Tommy is that true Tommy’s jaw clenched then nodded yes the Italians Fat Tony Salerno Vito Genovese they’ve taken half of Chinatown we’re suffocating bumpy understood

he’d faced the same thing it’s why you’re attacking me you’re desperate we’re not desperate we’re strategic Harlem has resources customers territory we need it and you think you can just take it yes bumpy smiled you’ve got balls kid I’ll give you that but you’re making a mistake what mistake thinking Harlem is weak thinking I’m just going to give it up I’ve fought bigger enemies than you and won Tommy leaned forward then let’s fight and see who wins Doctor Chen slammed her hand on the table no I won’t allow it

Tommy turned to his sister you don’t control me no but I control this clinic which has saved both of your lives bumpy when he was shot Tommy when you were poisoned last year remember Tommy went quiet Doctor Chen continued you both owe me so I’m calling in that debt right now you will listen to what to a solution she pulled out a map spread it on the table here’s Harlem here’s Chinatown between them Little Italy Fat Tony’s territory both men looked Doctor Chen continued Fat Tony controls the opium pipeline he buys from you Tommy sells to you

bumpy takes a cut from both sides makes millions while you two fight over scraps Tommy frowned what are you suggesting cut out the middleman work together Tommy supplies bumpy distributes split profits no Italian cut both men were silent thinking bumpy spoke first Tommy how much does Fat Tony pay you for opium 40% of market value highway robbery and he charges me double triple so we’re both being screwed yes bumpy looked at Tommy if we work together we’d make more money control more territory and weaken the Italians Tommy nodded slowly

but I don’t trust you I don’t trust you either then how does this work Doctor Chen answered you start small test each other prove you can work together Tommy you supply bumpy with opium at fair market value 60% bumpy you distribute in Harlem pay Tommy his cut 80% profit split in your favor because you’re taking the risk they run it for three months see if it works if it does expand if it doesn’t you can always kill each other later bumpy laughed she’s got a point Tommy didn’t laugh but he nodded 3 months trial period if you cheat

me I kill you same they didn’t shake hands just nodded the meeting was over March 25th, 1949 first delivery Tommy’s men brought 20 kilos of pure opium to Harlem met Bumpy’s men at a warehouse tents weapons visible but no violence the exchange happened opium for cash 60% of market value fair price Tommy’s men left Junie turned to bumpy you really trust them no but I trust the deal it makes sense for both of us what about the Italians they’re going to notice the money drying up let them notice Willy asked what if this is a trap

what if Tommy’s planning to take over once he’s inside then we’ll be ready but I don’t think it is why not because Doctor Chen wouldn’t let him she’s the smartest person in this deal and she wants peace April 1949 first month of partnership sales exploded Bumpy’s opium houses were stocked prices dropped because there was no Italian middleman demand increased revenue doubled Tommy got his cut 80 20 split in Bumpy’s favor but Tommy made more money than before because volume increased by the end of April both sides were profitable

May 1949 Fat Tony Solerno noticed called bumpy we need to talk about what about my missing revenue I don’t know what you mean you stopped buying from me I found a better supplier who that’s my business bumpy don’t play games you’re buying from the Chinese direct cutting me out so so that’s a violation of what of our understanding we never had an understanding you were overcharging me I found a better deal Fat Tony’s voice went cold this is going to be a problem then solve it but if you come at me or my suppliers

it becomes a bigger problem are you threatening me I’m informing you Harlem is protected and so is Chinatown by who by me Fat Tony laughed you’re protecting the Chinese now we have an arrangement you’ve lost your mind bumpy allying with them against us maybe but I’m making more money and that’s all that matters this isn’t over I know June 1949 Three months into the partnership Tommy Chen requested a meeting at the same clinic bumpy came so did Tommy they sat Tommy spoke the trial period is over yes it worked better than expected

Tommy nodded I made more money in 3 months than I made in a year under Fat Tony same so what now Tommy pulled out a document partnership agreement long term we expand split Harlem and Chinatown operations coordinate protect each other bumpy read the agreement it was fair detailed professional you wrote this my sister helped she’s a good businesswoman she’s a good person Tommy nodded she believes in you said you’re honorable are you bumpy looked at Tommy I keep my word good so do I Tommy extended his hand this time bumpy shook it

partners partners June 15th, 1949 Fat Tommy made his move sent 20 men to attack one of Bumpy’s opium houses tried to burn it down send a message Bumpy’s men fought back but were outnumbered then Tony’s men arrived 15 hip Sing Tong soldiers with hatchets the Italians weren’t expecting Chinese reinforcements the fight turned fat Tony’s men retreated three dead seven wounded all Italians zero casualties on bumpy or Tommy’s side after the fight bumpy found Tommy thank you don’t thank me we’re partners that’s what partners do

you could have let me fight alone then the Italians would have destroyed you and I’d lose my best customer bad business bumpy smiled you’re smarter than I thought so are you most people underestimate us because we’re different exactly but different doesn’t mean weak no it means unexpected and unexpected is an advantage July 1949 the Italian mob called a meeting demanded bumpy and Tommy attend at Fat Tony’s social club bumpy and Tommy walked in together 10 Italian gangsters surrounding them Fat Tony at the head of the table

you two have caused us a lot of problems that wasn’t our intention bumpy said bullshit you deliberately cut us out we found a more efficient arrangement by working together against us no for ourselves there’s a difference Fat Tony leaned forward here’s what’s going to happen you’re going to end this partnership go back to buying from us or we’re going to war bumpy and Tommy looked at each other then back at Fat Tony no bumpy said what we’re not ending the partnership and we’re not going to war then what we’re offering you a deal

what kind of deal partnership with us July 1949 Fat Tony’s social club Fat Tony stared at bumpy and Tommy you want to partner with us yes after cutting us out because we cut you out you’re losing money we’re offering a way to make it back how Tommy spoke up his first time addressing the Italians directly you control distribution in Little Italy Brooklyn the Bronx we control Harlem and Chinatown instead of competing we coordinate you handle your territories we handle ours nobody crosses lines nobody undercuts prices we all make more money

Fat Tony scoffed why would we agree to that because the alternative is war and war is expensive Tommy continued right now you’re spending money fighting us losing soldiers losing revenue for what pride that’s not good business one of Fat Tony’s men Carmine spoke up you’re asking us to respect Chinese territory and black territory yes Carmine laughed that’s not how this works we’re Italian we run New York you run your neighborhoods we run the city bumpy leaned forward then explain why you couldn’t take Harlem or Chinatown

for 20 years you’ve tried and failed not because we’re stronger because our communities are loyal they protect us you can’t buy that can’t force that the room was silent Fat Tony knew it was true so what are you proposing exactly Meyer Lansky’s model bumpy said commission but expanded not just five Italian families add Harlem add Chinatown 7 territories 7 votes we settle disputes through conversation not war Fat Tony looked at his men then back at bumpy and Tommy I need to discuss this with people above my pay grade

who Lucky Luciano Frank Costello the commission do that we’ll wait for an answer but Tony yes don’t wait too long because every day you delay we’re making money and you’re not August 1949 one month later Frank Costello called bumpy the commission wants to meet with both of you you and Tommy Chen when tomorrow Atlantic City will be there August 15th, 1949 Atlantic City same hotel as before but different room bigger present Frank Costello Meyer Lansky Albert Anastasia Joe Banano Carlo Gambino the five families and Bumpy Johnson

Tommy Chen representing Harlem and Chinatown Frank Costello spoke first gentlemen we’re here because you’ve proposed something unprecedented an expansion of the commission to include non Italian territories that’s correct bumpy said why should we Andree because it benefits everyone Meyer Lansky leaned forward explain bumpy gestured to Tommy together they presented Tommy began right now you control most of New York but not all Harlem and Chinatown remain independent you’ve tried to take them by force failed because our communities resist

bumpy continued so you have three options 1 keep trying to take us by force waste money soldiers time eventually fail 2 leave us alone let us operate independently lose potential coordination and revenue 3 partner with us recognize our territories coordinate operations everyone makes more money less violence better business Albert Anastasia the most violent of the bosses spoke and if we say no then nothing changes we keep fighting you keep losing soldiers we keep defending nobody wins but if we say yes then you get seven territories instead of five

coordinated organized more powerful more profitable Carlo Gambino the smartest of the bosses asked a question what guarantees do we have that you’ll honor this arrangement the same guarantee you have with each other mutual interest we make more money together than apart that’s the only guarantee that matters Myer Lansky smiled he likes your thinking he’s right the commission was built on that principle mutual interest over individual greed Joe Banano spoke but there’s a problem what you’re not Italian neither is Meyer bumpy pointed out Meyer’s Jewish

but he’s been with us from the beginning so were we Stephanie Saint Clair was running numbers in Harlem before the commission existed I’ve been protecting Harlem for 20 years Tommy’s people have been in Chinatown for a century we were here first you just didn’t notice Frank Costello raised a hand enough the question is simple do we benefit from this arrangement financially yes strategically yes politically yes then the answer is obvious he looked at the other bosses I vote yes Mayer Lansky nodded yes Joe Banano thought then agreed yes

Carlo Gambino smiled yes everyone looked at Albert Anastasia the most violent the most traditional the one most likely to say no Albert stared at bumpy and Tommy you killed three of my guys last month in that fight at the Opium House that was Fat Tony’s fight bumpy said not yours your men were there because Tony asked for help but it wasn’t our war Albert leaned back you’re right it wasn’t and that’s the problem with the current system we’re getting dragged into each other’s fights wasting resources if we had clear territories

that wouldn’t happen exactly Albert nodded I vote yes Frank Costello stood then it’s decided welcome to the commission Bumpy Johnson Tommy Chen you’re now part of the most powerful organization in America Tommy spoke carefully we appreciate the recognition but we want to be clear we’re partners not subordinates Harlem remains autonomous Chinatown remains autonomous we coordinate we don’t submit Frank smiled understood that’s the whole point September 1949 the expanded commission held its first official meeting

seven territories represented 1 Genovese family Vito Genovese 2 Luchese family Tommy Luchese 3 Gambino family Carlo Gambino 4 Bonanno family Joe Bonanno 5 Colombo family Joe Profaci 6 Harlem bumpy Johnson 7 Chinatown Tommy Chen first order of business territory boundaries clearly defined mapped agreed upon Harlem 1/10 to 1 fifty Fifth Street Fifth Avenue to Saint Nicholas Chinatown Canal to Worth Lafayette to Bowery no crossing without permission no poaching customers no violence without commission approval second order of business profit coordination

opium trade regulated bumpy and Tommy supply Italians distribute outside their territories fair prices no undercutting everyone profits third order of business dispute resolution any conflict between territories goes to commission vote majority rules no independent wars by the end of September the new system was operational October 1949 first test a conflict one of Vito Genovese’s men shot a Chinese businessman in Chinatown killed him over a gambling debt Tommy wanted revenge wanted to kill Genovese’s man called for a commission meeting

the 7 bosses gathered Tommy presented his case your man killed one of my people in my territory without permission that’s a violation Vito Genovese argued it was a personal dispute over gambling not business Tommy countered it happened in Chinatown that makes it my business your man crossed into my territory committed murder and didn’t report it that’s three violations the commission voted should Genevieve’s man be punished six voted yes one voted no Genevieve majority ruled Genevieve’s man was turned over to Tommy for justice

traditional Chinese gang justice exile the man was banished from New York permanently Tommy accepted Genevieve was furious but bound by commission rules the system worked soldiers are coming home black soldiers Chinese soldiers they fought for America bled for America and they’re coming back to segregation discrimination nothing’s changed Tommy understood that’s why this matters yes we’re showing that merit matters more than race that business can be color blind even if society isn’t they sat in silence thinking about what they’d built

January 1950 one year since the Chinese gang first tried to take over Harlem one year since the conflict began now sitting in Small’s paradise bumpy and Tommy celebrated with their crews Harlem and Chinese gangsters drinking together talking laughing a year ago this would have been impossible Junie Bird approached bumpy boss can I talk to you sure privately they stepped outside what’s wrong nothing’s wrong I just I wanted to say I was wrong about what about Tommy about this partnership I thought it was a mistake

thought he’d betray us but he didn’t no he kept his word and we all made money Junie nodded more than that we made history this is the first time I’ve seen Chinese and black working together against the Italians it’s revolutionary bumpy smiled don’t get too idealistic this is still crime I know but it’s principle crime there’s a difference inside Tommy was having a similar conversation with Vincent The Blade Wong boss I underestimated Bumpy Johnson how so I thought he was just another gangster tough but limited

he’s more than that yes he’s a strategist sees 10 moves ahead knows when to fight when to negotiate when to partner that’s rare Vincent nodded Hip Sing Tong is stronger because of him because of this alliance yes and Harlem is stronger because of us we balance each other February 1950 Doctor Sarah Chen invited bumpy and Tommy to dinner at her home first time they’d socialized outside of business over Chinese food she spoke I’m proud of both of you for what for not killing each other for finding a better way Tommy laughed

it was your idea I just facilitated you did more than that you made us see past our prejudices made us see each other as people not enemies that’s powerful bumpy raised his glass to Doctor Chen who saved more than lives she saved this city from a bloody war they toasted drank then Doctor Chen spoke seriously but you need to be careful why because not everyone is happy about this alliance who some of the old guard in both communities they see this as betrayal collaboration with the enemy Tommy frowned who specifically

in Chinatown the elders the ones who remember the Tong wars they don’t trust outsiders in Harlem some of the nationalists the ones who think black people should only work with black people they see me working with Chinese as selling out Doctor Chen nodded you need to address this before it becomes a problem how by showing results by proving that this alliance helps both communities not just the bosses but everyone March 1950 Bumpy and Tommy held a community meeting in Harlem at Abyssinian Baptist Church Reverend Adam Clayton Powell junior hosted

200 people attended Harlem residents Chinese community members mixed crowd bumpy spoke first a year ago there was conflict between Harlem and Chinatown violence death waste but instead of war we chose partnership and here’s what happened he showed numbers jobs created 50 in Harlem 30 in Chinatown revenue shared $500,000 invested in community programs violence down 60% reduction in gang conflicts people listened some skeptical but interested Tommy spoke next in Chinese translated by Doctor Chen my community was being squeezed by the Italians

we were desperate we saw Harlem as an opportunity a place to expand but bumpy taught us something that partnership is better than conquest that different communities can work together and everyone benefits he showed more numbers Chinatown businesses protected 40 police harassment reduced 70% community safety increased 50 he wants to know if this is temporary or permanent Tommy answered in Chinese Doctor Chen translated as long as it benefits both communities it’s permanent the moment it stops benefiting people

it ends but I believe it will last because it’s built on mutual interest not exploitation the elder nodded sat down approved April 1950 the commission met again reviewed first year results Frank Castellos spoke gentlemen the expanded commission has exceeded all expectations revenue is up across all territories violence is down legal heat is reduced because we’re not fighting each other this is the most successful year in commission history Meyer Lansky added the numbers total revenue $50 million up from $35 million last year

that’s 43% growth in one year he looked at bumpy and Tommy most of that growth came from the Harlem Chinatown Alliance you two pioneered a new model and it worked Carlo Gambino stood I want to propose something what we make this permanent official not just a trial but a permanent structure seven families equal votes equal respect the room voted unanimous yes Frank Costello raised his glass to the commission now truly representing all of New York everyone drank May 1950 bumpy and Tommy sat on the steps of Small’s Paradise

late night quiet just the two of them Tommy spoke first a year ago I wanted to kill you I know I wanted to kill you too but here we are partners friends yes Tommy looked at bumpy can I ask you something sure why did you agree to this to partnership when you could have just gone to war bumpy thought then answered honestly because I’m tired tired of fighting tired of violence tired of wars that accomplish nothing I’ve been doing this for 20 years and I realized something what that the goal isn’t to win it’s to build something that lasts

and the only things that last are built on cooperation not conquest Tommy nodded my sister said the same thing she’s wise yes we’re lucky to have her bumpy agreed without her we’d both be dead probably they sat in comfortable silence watching Harlem watching Chinatown in the distance two communities two cultures one alliance proving that different didn’t mean enemies just different years later in 1965 Tommy Chen retired passed Hip Sing Tong leadership to his nephew at his retirement party he gave a speech fifteen years ago I tried to take Harlem by force

I failed but that failure LED to the greatest success of my life partnership with Bumpy Johnson together we built something unprecedented an alliance between communities between cultures that alliance made us wealthy but more importantly it made us brothers bumpy stood applauded the crowd followed in 1968 when Bumpy Johnson died Tommy Chen was at the funeral front row crying openly in his eulogy he said Bumpy Johnson taught me that strength isn’t about domination it’s about elevation he elevated me my community our alliance

and in doing so he changed New York forever The Harlem Chinatown Alliance lasted 30 years until both organizations dissolved in the 1970s but the model remained proof that cooperation works better than conflict that different communities can work together if they’re willing to try if this story of unexpected alliance cultural cooperation and mutual respect moved you hit that subscribe button drop a like if you believe that differences can be strengths when people work together share this with someone who needs to hear about the Chinese gang

and the Harlem King who became brothers what would you have done in Bumpy’s position let me know in the comments and remember the greatest victories aren’t won through war they’re one through partnership bumpy Johnson and Tommy Chen proved that and changed history

A Chinese Gang Tried to Take Over Harlem’s Opium Trade — Bumpy’s Alliance SHOCKED Everyone DD

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