Chinese martial arts: From being shot and killed by the armed police during a mountain search to bec

The Guangdong soldiers sent by Hong Zhaolin were efficient. That afternoon, they set up sentry posts around the Chen family residence: two at the front gate, one at the back wall, and one mobile sentry at the alley entrance, changing shifts every four hours.

The telephone line was run from the barracks to the Chen family's gatehouse. The black rubber cable ran along the base of the wall, wrapped around a porcelain bottle nailed into the brickwork, and was connected to a hand-cranked telephone at the end, which was placed on the octagonal table in the gatehouse.

When the soldiers took turns on duty, they would sit in the gatehouse drinking tea, their backs ramrod straight, their guns resting beside their knees, ready to get up at any moment.

For the first few days, the soldiers were a little reserved. When they saw Chen Hongwu, they would stand at attention, salute, and call him "Master Chen".

After a few days, once they became familiar with each other, some people dared to ask him for martial arts tips during shift changes.

Chen Hongwu was generous and pointed out a few of the most practical moves.

For example, how to break free from someone hugging you from behind: stomp your heel on the back of their foot while simultaneously reaching your hands between their legs to grab their heel. With a sudden arch and straighten of your body, channel all your strength from your tailbone to your arms, performing a move called "Upside-down Golden Man" to flip your opponent over your head.

For example, how do you fight back if someone grabs your neck from the front? You can grab the inside of the opponent's forearm with both hands, pinching the meridians and instantly dissipating their arm strength; at the same time, you can lift your knee and strike the opponent's lower abdomen.

After the news spread, the soldiers of the reconnaissance company rushed to apply for rotation to Chenjia.

By standing guard at the Chen family's residence, one can not only witness masters practicing their skills firsthand, but also learn a few practical combat techniques for self-defense.

This kind of good thing was unique in the entire camp, and for a time, "Chen Family Rotation" became the most sought-after job in the reconnaissance company.

Upon hearing his adjutant's report, Hong Zhaolin was so delighted that he slapped his thigh and ordered several men from the guard platoon to change into civilian clothes and take turns guarding the Chen family's courtyard.

There weren't many people, but they were all highly skilled.

For half a month, Chen Hongwu did not leave his home.

He performed his daily morning and evening self-reflection rituals without fail.

Before dawn, I would stand facing east and practice the "Ha" sound exercise, allowing the facial fascia to penetrate layer by layer through the sound wave vibrations.

After sunrise, he would practice his "Big Stone-Smashing Hand" in the courtyard. Stepping, twisting his waist, rotating his arms, and striking with his palm, he would repeat it over and over again.

A gust of wind swept across the phoenix-tail bamboo at the base of the courtyard wall, causing the bamboo leaves to rustle and sway.

At night, the thunderous sound reverberates through the Yongquan acupoint, and the heat flow in the soles of the feet deepens day by day. It feels as if one is stepping on a red-hot iron plate at the Yongquan acupoint. The heat penetrates from the soles of the feet to the toes, and then flows back to the Dantian along the meridians, circulating endlessly day and night.

Occasionally, during breaks in training, he would give the rotating Guangdong soldiers a few pointers on practical combat techniques, making them as happy as if it were New Year's Day.

More than half a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

With about ten days left until the eighth day of the lunar new year, and the journey from Foshan to Shanghai taking at least five or six days, it's time to set off.

The night before his departure, Chen Hongwu was packing his things in the house when Chen Hongxiu sneaked in at some point. She stood at the door with her hands behind her back and her bright eyes looking at him.

"Big brother, I'll go with you."

Chen Hongwu folded a few changes of clothes and put them in the suitcase without looking up: "Weren't you going to practice your martial arts at home? Have you mastered the two moves I taught you before I left?"

"You've mastered it!" Chen Hongxiu leaned closer to him and demonstrated a couple of times. "Look! Black Tiger Claws to the Heart! Heart-Piercing Kick!"

The movements were technically correct, but the power was loose and the trajectory of the force was incorrect.

This is a common mistake for beginners: they have the form but not the meaning.

Chen Hongwu glanced at you and said, "You're still far from ready. I'll test you again when I get back. If you practice well, I'll take you out next time; if you don't, you'll stay home obediently."

Chen Hongxiu's face immediately fell. Before she could say anything more, Chen Huaijin's voice came from outside the door: "Hongxiu! Stop fooling around! Your brother is going out on important business, do you think he's going out to play?"

Chen Huaijin walked in, gave a curt "hmm" with a straight face.

Chen Hongxiu pouted, puffed out her cheeks, and reluctantly withdrew.

As he reached the door, he turned back to look at Chen Hongwu, his eyes conveying the message, "Brother, you must come back."

The next morning, a horse-drawn carriage was parked in front of the Chen family mansion.

Chen Hongwu changed into a clean gray cloth long gown and carried a rattan trunk in his hand.

Chen Huaijin stood at the door, with Chen Hongxiu beside him.

The little girl was unusually quiet today, but her eyes were slightly red, as if she hadn't slept well all night.

Just as the carriage was about to depart, Chen Hongwen squeezed out of the door.

He was wearing a brand-new navy blue suit, his leather shoes were polished to a shine, and two servants followed behind him, each carrying a large leather suitcase, panting heavily.

"Big brother! Wait!" Chen Hongwen ran to the car, catching his breath. "I'm going too!"

Before Chen Hongwu could speak, Chen Huaijin said, "Let Hongwen go with him. He stays at home all day looking at account books. How would he know how vast the world is outside? It would be good for him to go out and see the world and experience things for himself. Let him know the immensity of the world."

"I gave him some money and let him go to Shanghai to try his luck. We'll soon see if he's a real man or a dog. Hongwu, don't protect him. Let him go his way, and you go yours."

Chen Hongwu glanced at Chen Hongwen.

Chen Hongwen quickly put on a fawning smile and said, "Brother, don't worry, I won't cause you any trouble on the way. I'll even take care of serving you tea and water!"

"Okay." Chen Hongwu nodded.

The group boarded the prepared carriage.

After leaving Foshan city, head straight to the station of the Guangzhou-Sanshui Railway.

The Guangsan Railway was a short railway built during the Xuantong era, running from Foshan to Shiwotang in Guangzhou, a distance of only a few dozen miles.

However, the entire Guangsan Railway was opened to traffic using British-made steam locomotives. Although the line was not long, as one of the earliest railways to be put into operation in the Pearl River Delta region, its existence itself had special significance.

Chen Hongwu and his companions bought first-class tickets, one of which was equivalent to half a month's worth of food for an ordinary person.

The first-class carriage was much more elaborate than the ordinary carriage. The rectangular carriage had dark brown wooden floors, and there were four large sofa seats on each side. The seats were covered with light gray cloth covers, and the armrests were made of brass and polished to a bright shine, reflecting the sunlight outside the windows.

Wooden blinds hung above the windows, and sunlight filtered through the half-closed blinds, casting neat streaks of light and shadow on the carriage floor.

A tea table was placed in the middle of the carriage, with a porcelain teapot and several white porcelain teacups on it, and a newspaper from that day was placed next to it.

The steam locomotive let out a long whistle, the wheels slowly turned, and the train began to move.

The platform of Foshan Station slowly receded outside the window, and the crowd seeing people off on the platform gradually blurred into a blur.

It was the first time the two servants had ridden a train. Excitedly, they pressed their faces against the window and looked out. Rice paddies, ponds, hills, and villages glided past the window one by one.

In the distance, oxen were slowly plowing the paddy fields, and several farmers wearing straw hats were squatting on the ridges. In the time it took to look up, the train had already passed by.

The two of them clicked their tongues in amazement, pointing here and there, as excited as children.

Chen Hongwu leaned back in his seat, not looking at the scenery outside the window.

His eyes were closed, his breath long and deep, and a thunderous sound resonated slightly within his internal organs. He practiced his skills whether walking, sitting, or lying down; he practiced his kung fu the entire way on the train.

About an hour later, the train stopped at Shiwotang Railway Station.

Shiwotang Railway Station is the terminus of the Guangzhou-Sanshui Railway. The platform is not large, but the passenger flow is considerable.

The platform was crowded with passengers carrying luggage, and vendors carrying loads of food weaved through the crowd, their cries rising and falling.

Chen Hongwu carried a rattan trunk off the train, followed by Chen Hongwen, with two servants carrying leather suitcases at the very back.

As soon as he exited the station, Chen Hongwu flagged down three rickshaws: "To Baietan Wharf."

"Alright! Hold on tight!"

Seeing that the two were well-dressed and that the driver had mentioned the name of Baietan Wharf, he quickly started the rickshaw and ran towards the wharf.

Baietan Wharf is the most important water transport hub in Guangzhou, where most passenger and cargo ships departing from Guangzhou dock.

In another half day, they will be able to board a passenger ship bound for Shanghai and travel north along the coastline.