Jin Yong describes a legendary figure - Zhang Sanfeng in " The Legend of the Condor Heroes " and " The Legend of Condor Heroes ". His original name is Zhang Junbao, and he was born in Shaolin. He accidentally practiced the Nine Yang Divine Arts with his master Jueyuan . He also thought hard and seven days and seven nights in a cave in Wudang Mountain. He understood the principle of combining hardness and softness in martial arts. He was praised as the number one master in the world. He also founded the Wudang Sect, a famous sect in the martial arts world, and became a generation of martial arts masters. Later, when he traveled north to Baoji, he saw that Sanfeng was handsome and had some insights, and called himself Sanfeng. He also created Tai Chi , which uses static to control and acts afterwards when he was a hundred years old. But is there really Zhang Sanfeng in history? Today we will talk about Zhang Sanfeng’s story together.
Does Zhang Sanfeng exist in history?
Zhang Sanfeng has recorded it in " Ming History ". In addition, some notes, local chronicles and inscriptions also have records about him. Many "Complete Works of Zhang Sanfeng" were published in the Qing Dynasty. Although some of these records are inconsistent, it can basically be confirmed that there was indeed Zhang Sanfeng in history.
Zhang Sanfeng's hometown:
"History of Ming Dynasty" records that Zhang Sanfeng was from Yizhou, Liaodong (now Fuxin City, Liaoning Province). In other records, Zhang Sanfeng's hometown is Baoji, Shaanxi, Minxian, Fujian, Tianmushan, Zhejiang, Pingyang, Shanxi, Huangping, Guizhou, and Jinling, Jiangsu. In addition, there are Jizhou people, Yizhou people, etc., which can be said to be diverse and spread all over the motherland.
Zhang Sanfeng's name:
"History of Ming Dynasty" records that Zhang Sanfeng's name is Zhang Quanyi , also known as Zhang Junbao. Zhang Sanfeng is his name because he is not clever and is also called Zhang Lailuo. In other records, Zhang Sanfeng's names include Tong, Jin, Junshi, Jubao, Xuanyi, Xuansu, Silian, Shanfeng, etc. His names also include Kunyang , Xuanxuanzi, Sanfeng Dunlao, Tolerant Sanfengzi, Baohe Tolerant Sanfengzi, In addition, there are also names such as sloppy, sloppy, sloppy, Zhang Xianren, and sloppy immortal. If you compare the most ancient names, Zhang Sanfeng is probably able to rank in the top five.
Zhang Sanfeng's appearance:
"History of Ming Dynasty" records that Zhang Sanfeng is "slim and magnificent, with a turtle-shaped crane back, big ears and round eyes, and a beard like a halberd." "No border decoration", "There is only a patch and a straw raincoat in the cold and heat." It seems that Zhang Sanfeng is tall and big, with big ears and round eyes, and a beard with ridges, which is a bit like Zhang Fei . He usually doesn't pay attention to dressing up and is sloppy. He only wears a patched robe (the clothes worn by monks) and a straw raincoat regardless of winter or summer. Other records about Zhang Sanfeng's appearance are generally similar to this one.
Zhang Sanfeng's Taoist school:
Zhang Sanfeng is a Taoist practitioner. According to the Qing Dynasty's " Complete Works of Mr. Zhang Sanfeng ", Lao Tzu passed the Taoist technique to Yin Xi , Yin Xi passed it to Ma Yizi, Ma Yizi passed it to Chen Tuan , Chen Tuan passed it to Mr. Fire Dragon, and Mr. Fire Dragon passed it to Zhang Sanfeng. In modern times, some people have analyzed that the teachings preached by Zhang Sanfeng belong to the Quanzhen Taoism and should be a branch of the Quanzhen Buddhism. In this way, Zhang Sanfeng is also the successor of Wang Chongyang .
Zhang Sanfeng's apprentice:
In "The Legend of the Condor Heroes", Zhang Sanfeng has seven disciples. They are loyal and brave, and are called Wudang Seven Heroes . Mr. Jin Yong once said, "According to old records, the seven disciples of Zhang Sanfeng are seven people, Song Yuanqiao , Yu Lianzhou , Yu Daiyan , Zhang Songxi , Zhang Cuishan , Yin Liting , Moshenggu . The name of Yin Liheng should be taken from the "Yuan Henry Lizhen" in the "Book of Changes", which is different from the other six people. Here, it is renamed to "Liting" in terms of its similarity." It means that Zhang Sanfeng really has these seven disciples. Is this true?
Among all kinds of records about Zhang Sanfeng, Zhang Sanfeng's main disciples include Qiu Xuanqing, Sun Biyun , Wang Daozong, Lu Qiuyun , Zhou Zhende, Liu Guquan, Yang Shandeng, etc. These people all followed Zhang Sanfeng to learn Taoism. There is also a legend that the famous rich man, Shen Wansan, was also Zhang Sanfeng's apprentice. If you want to know the origins and outs of the Seven Heroes of Wudang, the key is to find what Mr. Jin Yong said.
According to research, this so-called "old book" should be a book called "The Origin and Tribe of Tai Chi in the Song Family". This book was published by a Tai Chi master named Wu Tunan during the Republic of China period. It was originally a copy, known as Song Yuanqiao in the Ming Dynasty.
First of all, Tai Chi was passed down by people in the Tang Dynasty . There are thirty-seven styles in total, and Song Yuanqiao learned this set. It is also said that the "Innate Fist" handed down by Li Daozi in the Tang Dynasty is also Tai Chi. It was passed down to the Ming Dynasty as the "Yu Style Tai Chi Kung Fu" practiced by Yu Lianzhou. Moreover, Li Daozi was still alive in the Ming Dynasty and was called Master Li. Once, Song Yuanqiao and Yu Lianzhou went to Wudang Mountain together and met Master Li. Master Li also taught Yu Lianzhou's kung fu, which made Yu Lianzhou's martial arts improve greatly and gain "all-round use".
Song Yuanqiao, Yu Lianzhou and several other Tai Chi enthusiasts, Yu Daiyan, Zhang Songxi, Zhang Cuishan, Yin Liheng, and Mo Shenggu, Yu Lianzhou also shared the secrets taught by Master Li with them. Later, the seven people wanted to go to Wudang Mountain to visit Master Li again, but they did not find him, but met Zhang Sanfeng in Yuxu Palace. Zhang Sanfeng is the master of Zhang Songxi and Zhang Cuishan. The seven of them asked Zhang Sanfeng for advice and studied together for more than a month. But only Zhang Songxi and Zhang Cuishan learned the thirteen styles of Tai Chi taught by Zhang Sanfeng.
It is rare that Mr. Jin Yong wrote the story of the Seven Heroes of Wudang based on the above vague records, and also gave the position of the eldest brother to Song Yuanqiao. However, research now believes that this book cannot be passed down from in the Ming Dynasty, and it is very likely that it was written by the name of the Republic of China period. Moreover, none of these seven people really worship Zhang Sanfeng as their teacher, so the quality of the seven heroes of Wudang is quite insufficient.
There is another saying about the names of the Seven Heroes of Wudang, saying that Zhang Sanfeng never married his wife in his life because he liked someone. However, his longing was not erased, but was hidden in the names of his disciples. These names are not only very artistic, but also Shaoshi Mountain is a place where Zhang Sanfeng meets and farewells with his beloved. So when you read it together, it is "The lotus boat floats under the distant bridge, the pine stream on the rocks, and the green mountain pavilion is there, don't ask whether the sound is empty in the valley."
Of course, this statement is purely "mediocre people disturb themselves". There are neither historical records nor other circumstantial evidence. Readers can only use unofficial history miscellaneous talks and just laugh it off!
Is Zhang Sanfeng really a martial arts master?
According to the records in "Wanli Yehuo Pian", Zhang Sanfeng used to be a prison officer in Fujian. Because he committed a crime, he was sent to Pingyue Wei in Sichuan (now in Guizhou). On the way to the exile, Zhang Sanfeng pretended to fall into the water. After coming out of the water, he actually got the receipt for the exile. The person escorted him directly took the receipt and went back to report (maybe Zhang Sanfeng bribed the official officer, or maybe Zhang Sanfeng escaped, so he faked it), and Zhang Sanfeng himself went to to Ping Yuewei .
arrived in Pingyuewei. The local official was Zhang Xin. After Zhang Xin heard about Zhang Sanfeng's deeds (it was obviously fooled by Zhang Sanfeng, so he did not have any deeds), he respected him very much. One day, Zhang Sanfeng said to Zhang Xin, in order to repay you, I have chosen a good burial place for your father. If you bring your father's corpse in, put whatever you see into its mouth, and you will definitely be rich and powerful in the future.
Zhang Xin followed Zhang Sanfeng's instructions and drilled into a cave. There was a big stone cow inside. Zhang Xin was very scared when he saw it, so he hung his father's corpse on the horns and came out. After coming out, he said to Zhang Sanfeng, and Zhang Sanfeng sighed, at most this would be a marquis (it was really a magician’s way).
Ten years later, Zhang Xin followed Zhu Di and participated in the Jingnan Incident and was named Marquis of Longping for his merits. Yongle twelve years, Zhang Xin was ordered to go to Wudang Mountain to worship and met Zhang Sanfeng. Zhang Sanfeng invited him to have tea and gave him a date. After Zhang Xin came back, he presented the date to Zhu Di.
Zhang Xin is a real person, and he was sent to Wudang Mountain to practice Taoist temple by Zhu Di. Some people analyzed that the reason why Zhu Di sent Zhang Xin to Wudang Mountain was nothing more than two reasons. One was that he was fooled by Zhang Xin. Zhang Xin explained to Zhu Di how magical Zhang Sanfeng was. Zhu Di sent Zhang Xin to find Zhang Sanfeng to see if there was any elixir of immortality. The other purpose was to find the missing Emperor Jianwen Zhu Yunwen. After Zhu Di seized the throne through the Jingnan Incident, in order to prove his orthodox nature, he claimed to be the Emperor Zhenwu descending to the earth. Wudang Mountain was the temple of Emperor Zhenwu. This is also the reason why Zhu Di sent people to practice Taoist temple in Wudang Mountain.
Zhang Sanfeng was also included in the "Biography of Fang Ji" in "History of Ming Dynasty". Fang skills are also alchemy. Ancient techniques such as divination, astrology, face-to-face , and alchemy can be called alchemy. Therefore, in the eyes of people at that time, Zhang Sanfeng was just an Taoist priest who had some specialties in divination. This is also consistent with the deeds of Zhang Sanfeng recorded in "Wanli Yehuo Pian".
So Zhang Sanfeng is not a martial arts master, but a practitioner of Taoism, and even like a cheating warlock. So how did Zhang Sanfeng be praised as the master of martial arts? In fact, this should be related to an epitaph written by Huang Zongxi for Wang Zhengnan .
Wang Zhengnan was a martial arts master in the late Ming Dynasty. The boxing technique he practiced belonged to internal boxing ( Shaolin boxing opposite, it is external boxing), and it emphasizes the use of stillness to control movement. This set of boxing techniques was passed down from Zhang Sanfeng (this three peaks are not the other Sanfeng). Zhang Sanfeng was from the Song Dynasty and was a martial arts master. It is recorded that he used this set of boxing to kill dozens of robbers by himself.
Later, this set of boxing was passed on to a Shaanxi named Wang Yue, who was passed on to Chenzhoutong, Wen County, Henan Province (the location of Chenjiagou ). After Chenzhoutong returned home, he taught to his fellow villagers. Therefore, internal martial arts was circulated in Wen County . During the Jiajing period, , Ye Jimei, a native of Siming, Zhejiang, learned this set of boxing from Wen County and returned to Siming to teach apprentices. One of them was named Shan Sinan. Wang Zhengnan's boxing technique was learned from Shan Sinan.
Wang Zhengnan had never read books, but had dates with Huang Zongxi's brothers. Therefore, Huang Zongxi wrote an epitaph for Wang Zhengnan after his death, recording his boxing skills from Zhang Sanfeng. Huang Zongxi was a great scholar in the late Ming Dynasty. Although the epitaph was a bit absurd (Zhang Sanfeng of the Song Dynasty dreamed of Emperor Xuan’s boxing at night), it was probably just a side note of Wang Zhengnan, but due to Huang Zongxi’s influence, it was still widely spread. From then on, Chinese martial arts has the saying of internal martial arts, and the founder of internal martial arts is naturally Zhang Sanfeng.
Huang Zongxi's son Huang Baijia He once learned internal martial arts under Wang Zhengnan. He also wrote an article "Internal Fist", which mentioned that Zhang Sanfeng was originally skilled in Shaolin external martial arts, and he also created internal martial arts from external martial arts, and surpassed Shaolin martial arts. This seems more reasonable, so Zhang Sanfeng of the Song Dynasty gradually became Zhang Sanfeng of Wudang .
According to Huang Baijia's "Internal Fist", internal fist includes long fist, pointing acupoints and six ways (including Doumen, Tongjie, immortals facing the sky, holding the moon, whip and shaking the two wings), and ten-duanjin, without Tai Chi. So how did Tai Chi connect with Zhang Sanfeng?
There is an important theoretical article in Tai Chi, called " Tai Chi Theory ", which mentions many important theories of Tai Chi, such as a one-two-two-two-two-two-two-two-two-two-two-two-two-two-two-two-two-two-two-two-two-two-two-two-two-two-two-two-two When this article "Tai Chi Theory" was circulated, the author signed it as Wang Zongyue . In " Wang Zhengnan's epitaph ", it is mentioned that Zhang Sanfeng's internal martial arts was later passed to Wang Yue, Shaanxi. For some reason, Wang Yue and Wang Zongyue were confused. There is a biography of Wang Zhengnan in " Qing History Draft ", and its content is basically consistent with the epitaph. Therefore, the successors who passed down this set of boxing skills changed from Wang Zongyue to Wang Yue, and Tai Chi naturally belonged to Wang Yue's master Zhang Sanfeng.
Although some people have verified that Zhang Sanfeng was from the Song Dynasty and Zhang Sanfeng was from the Ming Dynasty, and it is impossible for him to be the same person, the saying that Tai Chi originated from Zhang Sanfeng has spread here. Zhang Sanfeng and Zhang Sanfeng gradually became the same person.
No matter what, Zhang Sanfeng of the Ming Dynasty discussed in this article was not a martial arts master, but a practitioner of Taoism, and even like a god.
Why is Zhang Sanfeng so famous?
Zhang Sanfeng was rumored to be Zhang Sanfeng of the Song Dynasty, so Zhang Sanfeng, who lived until the Yongle period, was said to have lived in his 300s. It is difficult to be such a "immortal" title.
plus Zhang Sanfeng's profession - the alchemist, more legends were put on his head, and some simple deeds were also given a deification. For example, in "History of Ming Dynasty", Zhang Sanfeng could eat a lot of meals at a time, or he could not eat for several days or even months. Isn’t this the ability of “ fasting ” that only gods have? Maybe it’s just that Zhang Sanfeng is hungry and full!
Another example is the story of Zhang Sanfeng's resurrection recorded in the Ming Dynasty's unofficial history "Allusionary News", which says that Zhu Yuanzhang heard about Zhang Sanfeng's name and sent someone to find him in the 24th year of Hongwu, but he did not find him. Later, Zhang Sanfeng came to Jintaiguan in Baoji and lived there. One day, Zhang Sanfeng told others that he was going to die, and then he really died. When everyone put him in the coffin and was about to bury him, they heard a sound in the coffin. When he opened the coffin, he saw that Zhang Sanfeng was resurrected again.
In other records, Zhang Sanfeng has many deeds. For example, after Zhang Sanfeng was resurrected, he went to meet with Zhu Chun. At the reception banquet, Zhang Sanfeng took out a date and planted it in the golden cup for the banquet. He pulled out another of his teeth and planted them together. After a while, a lotus flower grew in the golden cup, and the flowers bloomed larger than the pot. What's more magical is that there are thousands of leaves on the flowers, each leaf has thousands of colors, radiating light, and the whole house is filled with fragrance. When the banquet ended, the flowers disappeared, Zhang Sanfeng took out his teeth from the cup and put them back in his mouth.
So, Zhang Sanfeng slowly turned from a Tai Chi master to a god.
No matter what, Zhang Sanfeng of the Ming Dynasty discussed in this article was not a martial arts master, but a man who practiced Taoism, and even looked like a god.
