Fu Qi Chengdu

Author: Dai Xiaoqing / Country:
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-12-01
Features: The martial arts wrestling competition at the Golden Medallion platform in old Chengdu, held from late March to early February during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, coincided with the annual "Flower Festival" held at Qingyang Palace and Erxian An (now Cultural Park). A spacious open area within the "Flower Festival" grounds was selected to set up the wrestling platform. Before the competition began, any martial arts practitioner, regardless of their style or skill level, could register to participate. After registration, participants were randomly paired for qualification matches, which followed a win-or-bust elimination system. Subsequently, they would undergo rounds of "Blue Medallion" and "Silver Medallion" selections before finally competing for the "Golden Medallion." The top three winners of the Golden Medallion were honored like the top three scholars—Zhuangzi, Bangyan, and Taohua—wearing golden flowers in their hats, draped in red silks, riding fine horses, and parading through the streets with firecrackers, cheered and escorted by crowds and fellow martial artists, in great celebration. After the victory in the War of Resistance, the platform was moved to Shaoying Park (now People's Park), inside the "Sichuan Provincial Martial Arts Hall" on the left side of the back gate. It continued to be held annually. The "Martial Arts Hall" invited renowned old masters to serve as judges, and among them, one highly respected elder with quick reflexes, clear speech, deep knowledge of various martial arts styles, and a fair reputation was chosen as the chief referee. On the spot, they would judge the and determine the winner, ensuring both the competitors and the audience were satisfied. If any disputes arose, the old masters sitting at the four corners of the platform would deliberate until a conclusion was reached. The spectators familiar with the wrestling competition were quite knowledgeable about the process. They dismissed the early stages of the "flower fists" and "embroidered legs" as mere "three-legged cat" skills, which were easily defeated with just a few moves. It wasn't until the "Silver Medallion" round that genuine skill was demonstrated, and the audience began to grow larger. Those who could compete for the "Golden Medallion" were undoubtedly the elite of martial arts, each possessing extraordinary skills and naturally more captivating. During the "Flower Festival," the spacious grounds, combined with the peak of the event, drew a sea of people, all eagerly watching. On the platform, martial artists demonstrated their prowess with fists and legs, while the audience erupted in applause, creating a lively atmosphere. In the spring of 1949, Chengdu's martial arts wrestling competition had advanced to the "Golden Medallion" stage. On the second day of the third lunar month, with gentle breezes and a lush spring ambiance, Chengdu's citizens, martial arts enthusiasts from various counties and towns, and crowds eager for excitement packed the area around the platform. At 9 a.m., Chief Referee Liu Xueyuan, a famous martial artist, declared the competition open. He first invited the Northern-style master Zhu Guozhen, along with his wife, daughter, and grandson, to perform a set of martial arts for the audience. The elderly master, though over seventy, was as robust as ever; his wife, despite her delicate frame, was spirited and steady on stage; his daughter was radiant and energetic; and his ten-year-old grandson, inheriting his family's skills, leaped onto the platform with a smile, bowing respectfully to the crowd. The audience erupted in thunderous applause. The four generations, dressed in blue and white short jackets, stood in a straight line, immediately striking a pose and demonstrating their skills—each move fluid and perfectly synchronized. The martial arts techniques were powerful and precise, with movements both disciplined and dynamic, earning continuous cheers from the audience, even from renowned martial artists present. Next, Zheng Huaixian, a former military academy instructor in Chengdu known as the "Flying Halberd Guardian" (who later taught at Sichuan Physical Education College after the founding of the People's Republic), performed his halberd skills. The long halberd danced gracefully, its silver light shimmering as it moved with his will—up, down, around his head, chest, back, arms, waist, legs, and feet, leaving the audience dazzled and breathless. Cheers filled the entire venue. Deng Yaolong, a martial artist specializing in orthopedics (who once ran a clinic on Baobao Street and taught students), demonstrated his rolling saber before Lai Huachuan of Xipu Town, known as "Lai Bian Hua" (a nickname), who had previously won the Golden Medallion (the newspaper Xin Xin News had even reported his victory with the headline "One-Eyed Dragon's Flying Kicks Defeat Opponent"). Lai then performed his self-invented "Frog Fist," leaping and jumping on the platform, crouching and bounding with bizarre but agile moves, which still won the crowd's admiration. After the performances, Liu Xueyuan announced the start of the competition. The randomly assigned opponents were Zhao Wenguang from Taihe Field in Pi County (now Township) and Liao Jun, a Chengdu "wrestler." Despite Zhao's short and slender appearance, he was nimble and agile like a monkey once on the platform, often spotting his opponent's weaknesses and using his signature "slap" to win repeatedly, keeping his name in the running for the Golden Medallion. The competition began, and Zhao faced the tall and slender Liao Jun without hesitation. He had carefully observed the Golden Medallion contenders and knew Liao excelled in leg techniques, often winning with them. But today, facing a short opponent who constantly blocked his "T-2 route," Liao hesitated, fearing that any casual leg attack might be countered. Zhao, however, seized the opportunity, using his agility to move around Liao, suddenly leaping and delivering a sharp slap to Liao's right cheek. The referee rang the bell, declaring Zhao the winner of the first round. Liao, defeated in the first round, grew frustrated and tried to regain his dignity in the second match, feigning a move before unleashing a kick at Zhao. Zhao, quick on his feet, grabbed the incoming leg with both hands and pushed Liao off the platform, earning cheers and securing a two-round victory. The next match featured Zhang Shaoqing against Li Shiquan. Zhang, who had passed all previous rounds, wore a white cotton shirt and blue pants rolled up to his knees, revealing his strong legs, and was barefoot in straw sandals, looking sharp and ready. Li Shiquan, in a blue and white short jacket, slowly made his way to the platform. Both tied blue and white belts and greeted the audience. One was strong and imposing, while the other was short and unassuming. Zhang, however, stared at Li with disdain, seemingly confident of victory. This was because the referee had called "Li Shiquan" three times without response, and only then did someone weakly answer, "Here!" Assuming Li was timid, Zhang grew even more arrogant. Li Shiquan, however, was no pushover for having reached the Golden Medallion stage. But after the earlier matches, he knew Zhang was immensely strong and aggressive, with superior strength and power. He preferred to withdraw rather than embarrass his sect publicly or risk injury. His fellow martial artists, however, refused to let the sect lose face, urging and encouraging him, eventually answering for him when the referee called "Li Shiquan." Only then could Li step onto the platform. Once he did, he had to devise a strategy. After a moment's thought, he had his plan. Seeing his opponent's arrogance, he resolved to take action. P1-3