Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 791 Hope for Reopening

We had a simple, home-style meal at the Yang family's house.

It wasn't exactly a simple meal. Although it was much more meager than what Chen Fan had prepared, it was still a top-notch meal for an ordinary family, with chicken, duck, fish, and meat, making up a table full of "eight dishes".

The Eight Bowls is a Manchu dish, belonging to the "Lower Eight Delicacies" of the Manchu-Han Imperial Feast. Later, it spread to the common people and became one of the highest standards for entertaining guests in many households in Beijing.

The main dishes include stir-fried tofu with pickled mustard greens, braised shrimp, tofu and eggs, braised pork trotters, boiled frog legs, chicken gizzards with mushrooms and vermicelli, braised pork with vegetables, braised toon fish, and braised pork belly. If there are not enough ingredients, they can be flexibly changed.

The fact that the Yang family was able to put together a table of "eight big bowls" today shows their sincerity.

In addition to setting out this high-class feast, since Chen Fan brought three female guests, Yang Zhenlong also invited his wife to accompany them, along with his eldest son and daughter-in-law, making a total of eight people at the table.

Since I had other things to do in the afternoon, I didn't drink much, just had a couple of light drinks, and then focused on eating.

After lunch, we had a cup of tea and chatted for a while, and finally a guest arrived.

At this time, apart from the eighteen people who had signed up, the rest of the Yang family members retreated to the backyard, leaving the middle courtyard as the examination venue.

Since the messenger from the Yang family had already explained Chen Fan's purpose, the guests who came were usually led by the family head, and those who followed were people who had signed up.

Although many martial arts schools still exist in the capital's martial arts world, most of them are sparsely populated, and there are not many like the Yang family, which has four generations living together.

So each family only had four or five people at most, and sometimes just one.

Fortunately, otherwise the Yang family's small courtyard would probably not be able to accommodate everyone.

As the host, Yang Zhenlong would introduce Chen Fan to each of the families they visited.

Before long, Chen Fan had gotten to know all the martial arts figures in the capital city again.

Once everyone had arrived, he first introduced his film project as usual, explaining the requirements and benefits for recruiting actors. After everyone indicated that they understood, he announced the start of the selection process.

There were quite a few people this time, many of whom were leaders of a certain school of thought. However, the eaves in front of the main house could not accommodate so many people sitting down, so everyone simply stood on the steps to watch.

Chen Fan stood in the middle, with Jiang Lili on one side and Jiang Tiantian and Zhou Yali on the other.

At this moment, he was looking at a female comrade practicing Tai Chi in the field and said, "Yang style Tai Chi is derived from Chen style Tai Chi. It simplifies various movements and has the characteristics of being gentle and graceful, with even and slow movements and upright posture. It emphasizes the internal strength of 'hidden needle in cotton' and the technical characteristics of using intention without force, which is more friendly to beginners."

Chen-style Tai Chi retains more practical combat characteristics, with movements that combine softness and strength, and powerful and forceful movements. It includes unique features such as power generation, jumping, and stomping, and emphasizes spiraling and waist and hip power generation. In terms of actual combat, it is more practical than Yang-style Tai Chi.

This young lady from the Chen family is a typical successor of Chen-style Tai Chi. You can see this in her "Rhinoceros Gazing at the Moon" move; she has deeply inherited the true essence of Chen-style Tai Chi.

This scene of martial arts masters from all over the capital coming to perform was something that hadn't been seen in the capital for decades. Chen Fan naturally wouldn't let it go to waste. He took this opportunity to give Jiang Lili and the other two a proper introduction, which would be of great help to their martial arts training and broaden their horizons.

Not only him, but the heads of each household had also instructed their juniors to keep a close eye on things.

After finishing a set of Chen-style Tai Chi, Chen Qingqing bowed and automatically stepped aside.

Yang Renhai held the lists submitted by each organization in his hand and called out names in order, "Next, Iron Palm, Gu Haoyang."

Although Iron Palm doesn't have as many schools as Tai Chi, Bagua, or Xingyi, it's not a single, exclusively transmitted martial art.

Without a prefix, the one simply called Iron Palm is naturally the Gu Family Iron Palm, passed down by Gu Ruzhang, the martial arts master who made Iron Palm famous all over the world.

In fact, Gu Ruzhang was also skilled in many arts. His father was a master of Tan Tui (a style of martial arts) and ran a small security escort agency in Zhenjiang to make a living. At the age of eight, he followed Yan Yunqi, a martial artist from Shandong, to learn authentic Shaolin Kung Fu and mastered his true skills, including Iron Palm and spear techniques.

Later, he followed Li Jinglin to learn Wudang sword, Wudang Tai Chi, and the old frame of Yang-style Tai Chi, which was created by Yang Luchan.

Therefore, the Gu family and the Yang family have a relatively close relationship.

Chen Fan looked at the person who came out and realized that it was the middle-aged man who had competed with him in strength on the opening day of Chaoyang Temple.

He immediately stepped forward, cupped his hands and smiled, "So it's Master Gu. Master Gu's hard qigong is superb. His Iron Palm technique has reached a level of perfection, so there's no need for further demonstration."

He paused for a moment, then added, "I've heard that the Gu family has a unique style of 'Gu-style Tai Chi,' which combines both strength and gentleness. I wonder if it would be convenient for you to demonstrate it?"

Gu Haoyang was easy to talk to. He cupped his hands in a salute and said with a smile, "It's convenient to demonstrate, but I heard that Director Chen is selecting actors for this film. My skill is more about lethality, so I don't know how to perform it."

Chen Fan pondered for two seconds, then smiled and said, "That's easy. I'll design a set of moves specifically for you, and you can just learn to do them."

Since the topic had come up, he simply walked down the steps to the center of the courtyard. Gu Haoyang immediately took two steps back, giving up the central position.

After turning around once, Chen Fan said loudly, "I know that you all practice boxing with real force, but you can't actually fight in a movie. You have to use feints. Does anyone here know how to use feints?"

After he finished speaking, no one spoke immediately.

Chen Fan didn't care. Not to mention those who practice traditional martial arts, even Zhao Wenzhuo, who was formally trained, didn't use any fake force when he filmed his first movie.

When Jet Li hit him, the sound was deafening but he didn't hurt anyone. When he hit Jet Li, each slap left a mark. The force of Tongbei Fist was not easy to bear. Jet Li grimaced in pain and immediately shouted to stop. Then he taught him how to hit someone without hurting them.

Now Chen Fan is going to teach them this.

Just as he was about to speak, Yang Zhenlong stepped down the stairs and said seriously, "Feinting is not difficult; it's just a little trick."

He walked to the weapon rack by the edge of the yard, patted the not-so-thick wooden frame pole, and said in a deep voice, "Keep a close eye on it."

Then he slapped it hard, but the wooden frame didn't budge and the poles weren't damaged at all.

The people standing on the courtyard ground looked thoughtful as they witnessed this scene.

With Yang Zhenlong's skill, let alone this wooden pole, he could smash a hole in a wall with his bare hands. But the pole is completely undamaged, which means he used a feint.

Yang Zhenlong glanced at everyone, then explained a few tips on using force before saying, "You all need to practice diligently, and absolutely must not hurt anyone. Otherwise, you won't even be able to control your strength properly, and how will you ever progress further?"

After he finished speaking, he smiled at Chen Fan and said, "Director Chen, please continue."

Chen Fan smiled, then suddenly threw a punch, which produced a whistling sound that was particularly frightening.

Although there was no wooden pole as a reference, everyone present understood that he had completely mastered the little trick that Yang Zhenlong had just mentioned.

Although both are forms of internal force, each school has its own unique techniques. Learning these techniques allows one to deduce other ways of applying force, which is obviously disadvantageous to the Yang school.

But Yang Zhenlong taught him directly without any attempt to hide it.

Chen Fan understood that Yang Zhenlong didn't want his kung fu skills to be exposed. Although he didn't really care, he appreciated the sentiment. Seeing that Chen Fan learned it so quickly, Yang Zhenlong just laughed and didn't say anything more before turning around and walking up the steps again.

Despite his young age, Chen Fan was treated as an equal by Yang Zhenlong.

There's no other reason than that his skills are superior. If he hadn't stopped the sparring in time, the final result probably wouldn't have been so good.

It's just a little trick now, and it's easy to learn, so it's nothing special.

Chen Fan showed off a little, then opened his palm to Gu Haoyang and said, "Master Gu, shall we lend a hand?"

Gu Haoyang was still pondering the technique of applying force when he heard Chen Fan's voice. He immediately came to his senses, stretched his body, assumed a starting stance, and said, "My martial arts are inferior to the abbot's, and my comprehension is far inferior. If I cannot stop myself, please forgive me."

Chen Fan smiled and changed his gesture, "Please."

On the steps, although Jiang Lili and the other two had confidence in Chen Fan, they couldn't help but be a little worried, and immediately looked at the two people in the room with nervous eyes.

Chen Fan focused his mind slightly, stepped forward slowly, and took Gu Haoyang's arm.

The last time they sparred, they only tested their strength, and at that time the two were evenly matched.

Now, four months later, Chen Fan's martial arts skills have improved significantly. In terms of strength, he can easily surpass Gu Haoyang, if not completely overpower him.

Although Gu Haoyang was unaware of Chen Fan's progress, he kept in mind the key to defeating enemies passed down from his ancestors, and watched him intently as he stepped forward.

When their arms met, he suddenly reached out with his right palm and slapped her across the face.

Chen Fan used a seemingly sealed technique to catch the Iron Sand Palm that was being slapped at him, a smile appearing on his lips.

Although it's not like me, who can grasp things in just a few minutes, I've learned about five or six points similar to it.

I estimate that after a few more rounds of practice, I'll be able to master the "empty force" technique.

Chen Fan flicked his palm and exchanged several moves with Gu Haoyang.

After a few moves, Gu Haoyang suddenly struck out with a palm, the sound of which was extremely brutal.

Chen Fan tried to receive the blow with Tai Chi as usual, but as soon as his fist and palm made contact, he felt like he had done nothing at all.

That seemingly powerful slap had no force at all; it was just for show.

But that's exactly right; that's what making movies is all about.

After a few more moves, Chen Fan used both hands to push Gu Haoyang away, and then he withdrew his hand.

Chen Fan smiled and said, "You've passed. Help them out later and learn the 'illusory strength' technique as soon as possible."

Gu Haoyang nodded immediately, cupped his hands in a salute, and smiled warmly. "Thank you, Abbot. I will do my best."

Chen Fan nodded to him, then turned and stood back on the steps.

The demonstration continues.

By four or five o'clock in the afternoon, all the registered participants had finished their presentations.

Then the crowd stood in small groups in the courtyard, all looking at Chen Fan with eager eyes.

Chen Fan held the list in his hand and compared each person with the list. In no time, he recognized all of them.

He then turned to Yang Zhenlong and said, "Senior, a total of 56 people have signed up. In principle, I can use all of them, but some have more roles and are the main characters, while others have fewer roles and can only play extras..."

He stopped abruptly at this point.

Yang Zhenlong understood what he meant, and immediately waved his hand, saying nonchalantly, "It's nothing, it's just a temporary assignment, only with different responsibilities."

He paused for a moment, looked at Chen Fan, and asked in a low voice, "Does the compensation differ depending on the role?"

Chen Fan laughed and immediately shook his head, saying, "No, everyone gets the same subsidy, there's no difference. It's just that those with more screen time have a higher chance of becoming famous after the movie is released."

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhenlong immediately said, "Then it's fine, as long as the subsidy standard is the same. As for fame,"

He turned to look at the younger generation, young and old, in the courtyard and smiled, “The oldest of them is almost fifty, and the youngest has just turned sixteen. They’re not here to become famous.”

She then turned to look at Chen Fan, "Besides, even if he becomes famous, does he think he can still open a martial arts school like before?"

Chen Fan knew that since it wasn't for fame, it certainly wasn't for the one yuan subsidy a day. In short, they were only cooperating because of him.

He paused for a moment, then smiled at Yang Zhenlong and said, "Last year at the meeting they talked about reform and opening up. Maybe in a few years, we'll be open enough to allow private individuals to run martial arts schools."

If someone else had said this, Yang Zhenlong would have just ignored it.

But Chen Fan is different.

Who doesn't know which military unit Zhang Xuansong and his men came from?

As their apprentice, Chen Fan was naturally on the old political commissar's side. Since they were so close, was it possible that he received some information in advance?

So… Yang Zhenlong stared at Chen Fan with shining eyes and said, “Master Chen, is it true that in a few years, private martial arts schools will be allowed?”

Surrounding them were all highly skilled martial arts masters, with sharp ears and eyes; how could they not hear their conversation?
So they all looked at Chen Fan expectantly, hoping to hear the answer they wanted.

Decades ago, which of them wasn't a martial arts school?
Even if an elder sold himself to a powerful person to become a bodyguard or protector, the family would usually have a martial arts school for support, in order to build a business for the family and at the same time develop their own school's skills.

But later the martial arts school was gone, and they had to find another way to make a living. Their family's martial arts skills, which had been passed down for hundreds of years, also had no place to be used.

They would be more than willing to reopen the martial arts school, even if it came at a certain cost.

Chen Fan glanced at them, smiled, and said, "At least I am very confident. If any of you have read the newspapers, you should know that export industrial zones have been set up in Guangdong. This is something we never dared to dream of before."

If everything goes smoothly, expanding the area open to the public is an inevitable trend, and reopening the martial arts school at that time is not out of the question.

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhenlong exhaled a long breath, paused for two seconds, then turned to look at Chen Fan, cupped his hands, and said, "If that day ever comes, the martial arts world of the capital will surely follow Chaoyang Temple's lead."

(End of this chapter)