In the contemporary Cambodian business landscape, the "Prince Group" is an undeniable presence. Its far-reaching influence and extensive business operations have led many to exclaim: "In South Korea, you can't live without Samsung; in Cambodia, you can't live without the Prince Group." The helmsman of this vast business empire, Chen Zhi (Neak Oknha Chen Zhi), has a legendary and controversial rise to wealth. His story begins with an ordinary network administrator from Fujian, China.

1. The Starting Point of Rise: The Primitive Capital Accumulation of the Gray Industry

Unlike many self-made business stories, Chen Zhi's original capital accumulation is believed to be deeply rooted in gray areas. After seeking development in Cambodia alongside fellow townsmen, he keenly seized the burgeoning opportunities in online gambling at that time.

According to rumors, the cornerstone of his business empire mainly consists of two major parts:

* Online Business: The core business of Prince Group in its early days was an online gambling platform targeted at the mainland Chinese market, covering a wide range of activities, including online chess and live baccarat, attracting a large number of gamblers and bringing in huge initial capital.

* Adult Entertainment Industry: The multiple adult video platforms under its control, such as '91 Video,' 'Cucumber Video,' and 'Mao Dou Video,' have a large paid user base in mainland China. These platforms leverage human needs, building a strong 'cash cow' business, providing a continuous flow of funds for the group's subsequent expansion.

2. Expansion and Whitening: Building a Diversified Business Empire

After completing the accumulation of original capital, Chen Zhi demonstrated his exceptional business layout capabilities, beginning to invest funds from gray industries into the real economy on a large scale, achieving business diversification and 'mainstreaming.' This series of operations is both business expansion and is widely regarded as an important path for his capital 'whitening.'

His business map rapidly expanded into various key fields in Cambodia:

* Industrial Park Development: Prince Group has invested in the construction of several large comprehensive industrial parks in Cambodia, among which 'Mango Park,' 'Caitong Jinyun Park,' and 'Caitong Yongyuan Park' in Phnom Penh are the most well-known. These parks not only serve as bases for some of its businesses but also become emerging economic landmarks in Cambodia.

* Gambling and Entertainment Physicalization: Successfully replicating online gambling success offline, investing in the construction of phases one, two, and three of 'Jinbei Casino,' making it a well-known gambling and entertainment center locally. Additionally, it has also ventured into high-end entertainment projects like amusement parks and shooting ranges.

* Real Estate Development: 'Prince Real Estate' is one of the core pillars of the group, developing numerous apartments, residential communities, and commercial real estate projects in major cities like Phnom Penh, profoundly affecting Cambodia's urban landscape.

* Financial Services: Founded 'Prince Bank,' extending its business reach into the financial core of Cambodia. Meanwhile, the 'Huione Pay' he established has almost monopolized the local Chinese remittance and mobile payment business, becoming an important infrastructure for private finance.

* Retail: 'Prince Supermarket' is spread across Cambodia, deeply integrated into the daily lives of local people, further perfecting its business closed-loop.

3. Influence and Controversy: Cambodia's 'Samsung'

Through the aforementioned layout, Chen Zhi successfully transformed the Prince Group into a super commercial complex integrating real estate, finance, gambling, entertainment, retail, and technology. Its business penetrates all aspects of Cambodia's socio-economic landscape, from macroeconomics to the daily necessities of ordinary people, making it known as 'Cambodia's Samsung.'

However, such enormous success has always been accompanied by controversy. Its history of relying on gray industries for its origins, along with rumors about its business parks involving online fraud and illegal gambling activities, have cast a shadow over its glamorous image.

Conclusion

Chen Zhi and his Prince Group are undoubtedly a phenomenal business case. It demonstrates how an ordinary person can, at the intersection of times and environments, establish a large business empire abroad with courage and skill. However, its 'original sin' and business methods also provoke profound thoughts: In regions where laws and regulations are still imperfect, rapid wealth accumulation often comes hand in hand with gray areas. This story is both an ultimate embodiment of personal ambition and business talent, as well as a complex reflection of a specific era and social environment.