THE HISTORY OF YANG STYLE TAIJIQUAN (TAI CHI CHUAN)

The History and Origin of
Yang Style Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan)
Page 4

His curiosity aroused, the host asked if Lu Chan would demonstrate his technique in a competition with some of his guests.

Now among the guests assembled, were well known and reputable Wu Shu Masters, many of whom had shown disdain at Lu Chan's puny physique. Anxious to uphold their reputation, they grabbed the opportunity in the hope that Lu Chan would be defeated and disgraced.

Unperturbed, Lu Chan agreed to his host's request, saying that, "To have an open competition, we must not stand on ceremony. That is, we must treat it in the spirit of true competition and not worry about death. Should it end in tragedy, there should be no regrets."

So, the contest began, with one Master lunging fiercely at Lu Chan with a clenched fist. A slight raising of Lu Chan's hands served to hurl his attacker several metres away, where he fell badly hurt and bleeding. One of his colleagues, enraged at his friend's plight, sprang to take his place and suffered a similar fate. The remaining teachers did not dare to take up the challenge.

Somewhat alarmed, the host immediately re-organised his seating arrangement, as a gesture of deference to the victor. Lu Chan however, thought the gesture to be hypocritical and he left the reception immediately.

Once news of the incident spread, Wu Shu experts came from far and wide to challenge Lu Chan. However, he was never defeated and lived up to Master Chen's expectations. As his reputation spread throughout Beijing, "Yang Wu Di" as he was called, became a much sought after celebrity guest in the households of the nobility. It became the vogue to invite him along to banquets and celebrations as an honoured guest of the household.

Unswayed by all this attention, Lu Chan maintained the principle of not teaching Wu Shu to just anyone. He would first give much thought and consideration to each individual case. Students who were genuinely earnest in their search, were rewarded, as he passed his knowledge to them without regard to status or influence.

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