Others, however, still view Du as a hero and patriot due to his persistent belief in the Chinese cause and his assistance in fighting the Japanese invaders.
As a standing member of Shanghai's anti-Japan association as well as vice president of Red Cross China, Du organized and arranged medical assistance for the wounded in China's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-45). Moreover, he also formed his own army of 10,000 soldiers, many from his own Green Gang to enter the war.
Unlike his fellow gangster Zhang Xiaolin, whose assassination was said to have been ordered and arranged by Du, he rejected the seduction of the Japanese side. The legend goes that Du met the Japanese representative in his office and the scene was so tense that he kept his hand to the gun in the drawer for the entire time.
More here:
http://www.talesofoldchina.com/shanghai ... peop01.htm
http://app1.chinadaily.com.cn/star/2001 ... u18-2.html