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

The following morning, Chen Hongwu woke up in a side room in the backyard of the Military Governor's Office.

The birdsong outside the window was faint; it was already broad daylight.

After he finished washing up, he pushed open the door and came out.

Before long, Lu Xiaojia was already standing outside the moon gate with a smile, having changed into a light outfit and looking much better than the night before.

"Master Chen, did you sleep well last night? Come, let me show you around. My dad's place isn't big, but there are interesting spots in every corner." Lu Xiaojia gestured for him to enter.

Chen Hongwu nodded and followed him to the backyard.

The two walked through a narrow alley, and suddenly the view opened up before them.

This is the military training ground of the Protectorate. It is square, paved with blue bricks, and surrounded by several old pine trees with gnarled branches.

A dozen or so men were practicing enthusiastically in the arena; some were punching, some were kicking, and others were lifting stone weights and brandishing red-tasseled spears.

Shouts rose and fell, causing the dew on the pine branches to fall in a flurry.

Lu Xiaojia looked at the arena, her eyes shining, and sighed with a smile, "When I was a child, I loved learning martial arts from the guards in my family. Every day before dawn, I would practice here. Now that I'm older, I've become lazy, and I haven't learned anything yet."

As he spoke, he raised his leg and gave a feint kick, displaying a certain air of authority.

Chen Hongwu glanced at him and said indifferently, "You've learned the Twelve-Road Tan Leg style."

Chen Hongwu stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze still fixed on the field: "In walking, sitting, and lying down, you can see skill everywhere. When a person who practices Tan Tui walks, his heel lands first, followed by the ball of his foot rolling down the ground, his knees are slightly bent, and his ankles are taut."

When you sit down, your legs unconsciously turn outwards, your toes pointing outwards. You just walked here from the moon gate, about twenty steps, and every single step was like this.

He paused, a slight smile playing on his lips: "However, your moves are just an empty shell of Tan Tui, lacking its true essence."

Your leg strength is weak, your hips aren't rounded, your waist isn't relaxed, and your shoulders can't unwind. Your skill isn't deep enough.

Lu Xiaojia was taken aback at first, then scratched the back of his head embarrassedly: "Master Chen has a keen eye. When I was young, I learned Tan Tui from a master, but I only studied for half a year. I was inconsistent and only practiced sporadically. It was really just a showy display."

"For you to say 'not deep' is already giving me face."

He spoke sincerely, and his admiration for Chen Hongwu grew even stronger.

In the training ground, some of the sharp-eared martial arts instructors overheard the conversation. Many stopped and looked at Chen Hongwu, their eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of eagerness.

At that moment, a young man stepped out from the crowd.

The man was about twenty-three or twenty-four years old, with a sturdy build. He wore a black short jacket with a blue cloth belt around his waist. He was handsome and had clear, bright eyes.

He stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting to Lu Xiaojia, and then bowed to Chen Hongwu, saying, "I have heard of Master Chen's illustrious name."

Lu Xiaojia quickly introduced to Chen Hongwu: "Master Chen, this is Zhao Jingwen, a top disciple of Master Shi of the Shi'an Gang."

My Tan Tui (a style of Chinese martial arts) was also taught by Master Shi. Don't let his young age fool you; his leg skills are incredibly solid.

Chen Hongwu glanced at Zhao Jingwen and suddenly asked, "What is your relationship with Hu Guoliang?"

Zhao Jingwen was taken aback, and Lu Xiaojia was also surprised.

A martial arts instructor nearby whispered, "Guoliang is Jingwen's senior brother."

Chen Hongwu nodded. Many people may not have heard of the name Hu Guoliang, but his courtesy name is very well-known.

Hu Guoliang, courtesy name Baoyi, was a native of Xiangshan, Guangdong.

Due to poverty in his youth, he went to Jinan Tangqin in Shandong to learn martial arts. Later, he became a disciple of Shi'an Gang and mastered the Twelve-Road Tan Leg style.

His Tan Tui (a style of martial arts) combines the fierceness of Northern style leg techniques with the gentleness of Southern style boxing principles. It includes all six techniques: kicking, stomping, hooking, hanging, sweeping, and stomping. In particular, his move "Mandarin Duck Link" is characterized by the lightning-fast alternation of his two legs, which earned him considerable fame in Shandong.

Later, Hu Guoliang assisted Chen Qimei in the Shanghai Jingwu Gymnastics Association, and even Huo Yuanjia was invited back from Tianjin by Hu Guoliang to serve as the head instructor.

Oh, by the way, this guy is also a leader of the Shanghai Green Gang with the "Tong" generation, known in the underworld as Master Hu the Second.

He was involved in many major revolutionary events in history; he was a sworn brother of Wang Yaqiao and Dai Li.

Hu Baoyi's life spanned the entire process of modern Chinese revolutionary history.

Having drifted through half a lifetime, he has now returned at the age of twenty-nine.

Several months ago, Chen Gongzhe had mentioned it to Chen Hongwu.

Hu Guoliang was ordered to be arrested for assassinating Zhao Bi, the chief of staff of Zhejiang warlord Yang Shande. After the plot failed, he fled.

He was arrested by the French Concession police in July of this year and imprisoned in Fanlang Road Prison.

Chen Gongzhe sought help from various people, but all his efforts were in vain.

Chen Hongwu turned to Lu Xiaojia: "Young Master Lu, were you aware that Hu Guoliang was arrested and imprisoned in July?"

Lu Xiaojia frowned: "I've heard that people detained in the French Concession are supposed to be sent to Saigon or somewhere. What, does Master Chen have connections with them?"

"We have some connection," Chen Hongwu said calmly. "This person has a great connection with the Jingwu Association. I have a close relationship with Chairman Chen of the Jingwu Association. Since we are here today, I would like to ask Young Master Lu to do me a favor and get him out."

Lu Xiaojia pondered for a moment and then laughed: "If Master Chen asks, I'll do it for you no matter how big the matter is. Although those people in the French Concession are troublesome, our Lu family has connections with the police station."

I'll send someone to find out who's handling this case. As long as it's not an extremely heinous verdict, there's always a way."

Chen Hongwu cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your trouble."

Zhao Jingwen, who had been listening intently, couldn't help but show his excitement and bowed deeply to the ground: "If Master Chen can rescue Senior Brother Hu, Jingwen will willingly follow Master Chen from now on, serving him faithfully without hesitation!"

Zhao Jingwen had long wanted to ask Lu Xiaojia for help, but he was just a nobody and his words carried little weight. He was still relying on the Lu family for his livelihood, so how could he have the face to ask for help?

Moreover, his senior brother had offended Yang Shande, a warlord in Zhejiang. Even if Lu Yongxiang was powerful, he probably wouldn't offend a warlord for the sake of a mere bodyguard like him.

But Chen Hongwu is different. As a renowned and accomplished martial arts master in Shanghai, and now a guest of honor of the Lu family, his words naturally carry more weight than Chen's.

Chen Hongwu waved his hand, "No need to be polite. I saved him purely out of respect for Master Hu's character, and also because of the influence of Chairman Chen of the Jingwu Association. There's no need to talk about repaying him."

Zhao Jingwen cupped his hands again, saying, "Master Chen, your noble character is truly admirable!"