Telling the Story, Revealing the Techniques

by FengWu, translated by PengCheng Chen

Years ago, my Sifu would tell us stories during lessons. At that time, to better explain a technique, he would tell how a certain kung fu master employed it to defeat an opponent. This I found to be very interesting and impressive. On the one hand, we came to learn generation-to generation anecdotes. On the other hand, we gained a strong impression of the techniques learned that day. Though some of the stories are probably fictitious, they are very helpful, serving as a reinforcer.

My Sifu would always start with a demonstration of the technique; then he would tell the story.

One day, he taught us a series of techniques called the Baizhan Sanzhao. Baizhan means "losing the fight" while the Sanzhao means "three moves" or "three techniques." Altogether Baizhan Sanzhao means three techniques used in a seemingly lost battle. Though the user of the techniques would seem to be the loser, actually he is the winner. The first technique is called Fengdu (blockage.) It is adopted to block or intercept the oncoming attack and then usher the opponent into an unfavorable situation. Many forms of blockage can be found. For example, in actual fighting, when the opponent would punch or push you with his fist, you can block the coming attack by simply pressing on his elbow (the bend of the arm between the forearm and the upper arm) before his fist hits your body. Encountering such a counterattack, the opponent -- though stronger than you -- is less likely to unbalance you or knock you over. The difference between this form of blockage and any other is that it can limit the impact of the coming attack. The fighting principle, "Long Against Short," applies to this technique. It means that you use your whole arm against the half arm of the opponent (the opponent only uses the part between the elbow and the upper arm to attack you when you block the oncoming attack by pressing on his elbow.) It is a defensive technique. There is a saying in the Chinese martial arts: "Hold back the anger, avoids a fight." Defending yourself doesn't always require you to hit others heavily. Conquering without a single fight is the best way to settle a dispute. This technique makes this saying an easier prospect.

The second technique is called "Hidden flower under the leaves." This means that you launch an attack by moving along your arm just under another arm (your own arm or the opponent's arm). The upper arm represents the "leaves" while the lower arm is the "hidden flower." "Hidden Flower" derives from the way the attack is hidden from view when the user strikes forward with his palm or hand just under the above arm. Image that the opponent raises his left fist to punch you at your face, you can raise your left hand to clap off the oncoming attack and at the same time strike forward at the opponent's armpit with your right palm by moving it under the opponent's left arm. Quite often, the opponent will feel pain and withdraw his hand. If you attack the opponent forcefully, he will lose his power, as the armpit is a vulnerable point of the human body.

The third technique is called "Prodigal kicking the ball." "Kicking the ball" means kicking the crotch. As the crotch is a crucial point of the body, kicking crotch technique is frequently used in traditional Chinese martial arts. In actual fighting, one furtively kicks the opponent's crotch while appearing to retreat in defeat. For instance, when the opponent punches or pushes you heavily, you block his attack by pressing on his elbow with your hands, just like the blocking technique mentioned previously. At the same time, take advantage of the opponent's advance by jumping backward with one foot while swiftly kicking the opponent in the crotch with the other. It is a combination technique, featuring a blend of offensive and defensive movements. Even if you fail to hurt the opponent by kicking him in the crotch, you are safe by jumping backwards, thus avoiding the oncoming attack.

When the lesson was nearly at an end, my Sifu related a story about Baizhan Sanzhao techniques.

Upon a time there lived a warrior named Wang. When young, Warrior Wang spent much of his time wandering across the country. As he had a strong sense of justice and was always ready to help the weak, he bred enmity in numerous gangsters. When he grew old and felt faint, he decided to live in reclusion and made a living by selling the oil in the market in order to escape from the endless revenge of his foes. One day Warrior Wang carried two pots of oil to the fair. As the new year was drawing near, there were huge crowds of people. Warrior Wang jostled his way through the crowd while hawking his wares. Zhangba was a bully in the town. As he was strong and had acquired some martial skills, he often mingled in the crowd and extorted money from the good and the weak. That day the bully Zhangba showed up in the crowd, holding a birdcage in one hand while awaiting his chance. Warrior Wang happened to pass beside him, and oil splashed down the swaying oil pots, spattering the bully. Zhangba got angry and kicked over the oil pots without giving Warrior Wang an opportunity to explain. He then broke into a torrent of abuse. Though Warrior Wang apologized, Zhangba would not forgive him. Instead, Zhangba laid down the birdcage and then waved his fists towards Warrior Wang. Again apologizing, Warrior Wang swayed his shoulders slightly, raised his hands, and blocked the coming attack by pressing on the bully's elbows. It was a perfect blockage. The bully's fists merely touched the body of Warrior Wang, but without the expected effect of injuring him. There was a stir among the spectators who thought the bully had hit the old man. They didn't know the old man was highly skilled in kung fu. Zhangba was puzzled. He wondered why he felt so awkward even as he made the old man sway and retreat. He also couldn't figure out what caused his unnatural movements. Greatly angered, the bully continued to storm the old man. As the narrow space didn't allow Warrior Wang to move freely, along with the fact that Warrior Wang was old and weak and the bully was young and strong, Warrior Wang had difficulty defending himself after several rounds of blockage. In the end, he was compelled to fight back. While the bully's palm nearly hit Warrior Wang's face, Warrior Wang raised a hand to clap off the bully's palm while at the same time stabbing forward swiftly at the bully's armpit using the move, "Hidden flower under the leaves." The collision of the two palms gave rise to a loud and clear clap. It seemed that the bully had struck the old man hard in the face. Seizing the opportunity, Warrior Wang stumbled backward and covered his face with his hand, pretending that he was the victim. He had launched his attack with such lightning speed that no one could detect what had really happened. The only thing the bully knew was that he suffered a sudden pain in his armpit when he slapped the old man in the face. Almost immediately, Zhangba felt weak in his arm and the perspiration broke out all over his forehead. In a daze, he looked around. All he saw were spectators, who felt indignant but did not dare to speak out. No third party was involved. Looking again at the old man, the bully was livid with rage. Once again he stepped forward and raised his fists, determined to vent all his anger on the old man. Aware that he was facing a stubborn and evil bully, Warrior Wang was decided to teach him a lesson by punishing him severely. When Zhangba rushed towards him like a fierce tiger springing on the prey, Warrior Wang raised both hands to block the oncoming attack, then -- almost at once -- jumped backward with one foot while kicking the bully hard in the crotch with the other foot. The kicking leg was as quick as a stabbing palm. Zhangba hardly had time to search out what had happened when he fell unconscious to the ground. Warrior Wang then threw himself deliberately into the crowd. The spectators fell silent, wondering why the bully was lying on the ground after knocking the old man over. Shortly afterwards, someone remarked in a weak voice, "Zhangba is really a monstrous guy. How can he lie down on the ground and pretend to be dead after hurting the old man?" Some spectators felt sympathy for the old man and helped him up and collected the oil pots for him. Warrior Wang stumbled forward as if he was seriously wounded. In a short time he was out of sight. After that, Warrior Wang never again showed up at the fair.

Whenever I relate this story to someone, I always recall the techniques of Baizhan Sanzhao, which I learned on that wonderful day.

Written by FengWu, translated by PengCheng Chen for KUNGFUMAGAZINE.COM

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