"Wang Qun, you're up!"
"Sun Jiankui!"
"Ji Chunhua!"
After Li Lianjie finished his demonstration, the Yuen brothers sat on their stools watching the others perform. They figured that the best card had definitely been played first; whoever came next probably wouldn't match up.
As it turned out, once they sat down, their behinds couldn't sit still for a second.
When Ge Chunyan demonstrated Baguazhang, both brothers shot right up to their feet. Though their roots were in Beijing opera, they had worked in the martial arts film trade for years and dabbled in all kinds of sects and styles. A woman practicing Bagua to such a high level simply could not be found anywhere in Hong Kong.
Next came Yu Hai. The two had barely sat back down when they sprang up again.
They watched an entire set of Mantis Fist.
And at the very end, Yu Chenghui strode out carrying a massive sword, radiating an imposing aura. Yuen Woo-ping asked in bewilderment, "What is this gentleman going to demonstrate?"
"Oh, the two-handed sword!"
"A two-handed sword?!!!"
For the first time, Yuen Woo-ping completely lost his composure. Wasn't that thing legendary? It was supposed to have been lost to history long ago!
"Coach Yu traveled far and wide visiting masters across the country, contemplated the essence of the mantis slipping through the forest, and created it himself!" Chen Qi said with a chuckle.
"He created it himself?"
The two brothers were even more astonished. Once Yu Chenghui's demonstration ended, they couldn't help but rush over and pepper him with questions. By the time they returned, they were utterly struck dumb.
Yuen Woo-ping sighed. "The mainland truly is a land of crouching tigers and hidden dragons. I apologize for underestimating you all. I'm completely convinced! Truly, utterly convinced!"
"When people collaborate, getting to know each other is a natural process. They've shown their skills, and you two appreciate what you saw—that's a good thing. But at the same time, they probably feel the same way toward both of you."
"Fair enough, fair enough. We like to think we have some insights of our own."
"Then let's head upstairs to discuss!"
Right away, the group went up to Chen Qi's room at the guesthouse to study the specific action style for *Tai Chi*.
As mentioned earlier, this era was a transitional phase for martial arts films, evolving from the slow-paced, rigid 'hard bridge, hard horse' back-and-forth trades of blows into a faster, richer, and more visually ornate style.
Expecting *Tai Chi* to match the visual effects of *Tai Chi Master* was impossible; for starters, the hardware and production equipment couldn't keep up.
Thus, Chen Qi's objective was clear: push things to the absolute limit possible in this day and age...
"Two requirements. First, it must be fast. Let the actors fight as fast as the cameras can capture—absolutely do not make it like an old Shaw Brothers movie with slow, turn-based trades."
"Done!" Yuen Woo-ping agreed.
"Second, blending the conceptual with the concrete!"
"'The conceptual' refers to expounding on martial principles. Tai Chi must integrate yin and yang, Daoism, and philosophical outlooks on life. I jotted down a few lines off the top of my head—please don't laugh..."
Chen Qi paused, then reeled off effortlessly: "Purity and stillness are the foundation of all under heaven; the rigid snaps, while the yielding endures, and softness conquers hardness. Free from desire and pursuit, detached in the extreme, one may face swift thunder crashing over mountains without flinching, and blades clashing before one's eyes without fear.
"The Way of Tai Chi: the mind tranquil, breath natural, upright and at ease, qi sinking to the dantian. Master motion through stillness, overcome hardness with softness, evade the substantial to strike the unsubstantial, and borrow momentum to redirect force!"
Yuen Woo-ping nodded repeatedly as he listened, chuckling. "You understand these principles so well—why don't you give it a try yourself?"
"From time immemorial, scholars have dreamed of chivalric heroes, yet wuxia is always written by people who don't know martial arts. When it comes to real demonstrations, it all relies on you."
Chen Qi smiled and continued, "'The concrete' is the actual action choreography. It's hard to describe, so let my clumsy hands and feet give you a general idea!"
With that, he stepped into the center of the room and sank into an ugly, wobbly horse stance. How could he possibly know martial arts? At most, he had taken 24-form Tai Chi in college PE, and he'd practically forgotten all of that.
"Yang Yugan's posture should look like this: holding a watermelon in the left hand and a watermelon in the right, both hands always moving as if cupping a sphere, and then making motions..."
He swung his arms and flapped about a couple of times, looking like a drowning man thrashing for air.
"That's a bit abstract!" Yuen Woo-ping frowned.
"Uh, let me think... Aha, got it!"
Chen Qi spotted the washbasin in the room, hurried out to fetch a basin of water, and rushed right back. "Let's treat this as a water vat filled to the brim, with a rubber ball floating inside.
"When Li Lianjie trains, he discovers that no matter how hard he pounds the ball, it won't stay submerged. The harder he hits it, the higher it bounces back. But if he presses down gently with his hand, the ball goes under instead.
"Then he starts stirring the vat..."
Chen Qi stirred the water vigorously. The water in the basin swirled clockwise, gradually forming a small whirlpool.
"Let me try!" Yuen Woo-ping stepped forward, submerged both hands in the water, and tested the sensation. Seeming to find it quite fun, he stirred for a while before flicking the water off his hands. "I see what you mean!"
"Really?"
"See if this is what you have in mind."
He muttered a few words to Yuen Cheung-yan, and the two took their stances facing each other. Yuen Cheung-yan charged forward throwing a punch; Yuen Woo-ping shifted slightly, traded a few maneuvers, caught his wrist with his left hand, drew it toward his chest in a graceful arc, and shoved forward with a sudden burst of power.
Yuen Cheung-yan stumbled backward with exaggerated steps and plopped down hard on his rear.
Yuen Woo-ping mimicked Chen Qi's posture from earlier, dropping into a horse stance with each hand cradling an imaginary watermelon. But when he did it, the proper flavor was instantly there.
"Brilliant!" Chen Qi clapped enthusiastically. "That's exactly the feel I'm looking for!"
He didn't know martial arts, but he knew exactly what style he wanted, and that was enough.
Throughout the seventies and eighties, Shaolin kung fu was renowned worldwide, spawning countless movies. Hong Kong had actually made several Tai Chi films as well, but none caught on. First, the action design was too realistic and unexciting to watch; second, the actors didn't execute the moves well.
It wasn't until Li Lianjie starred in *Tai Chi Master* that the style familiar to audiences everywhere was set in stone. Every Tai Chi movie that followed ended up imitating that film.
Its success lay precisely in being less realistic—a routine choreographed by blending several fist styles together, prioritizing visual appeal and fluidity. And of course, it had to be performed by Li Lianjie.
"We can also add some flashy flourishes!"
"For example, have Li Lianjie stir the water vat. He stirs and stirs, then suddenly lifts both hands, and *bam*—the vat explodes!
"Or another scene: he's practicing in the woods among falling leaves. He rolls a cluster of leaves between his hands, rolling and shaping it, and then whoosh—it bursts apart, and the leaves scatter around him in a perfect circle!"
"Brilliant!"
"Terrific, that will definitely work!"
The Yuen brothers were thrilled as well. Hong Kong films thrived on piecing together scattered sparks of creativity into a full movie.
The suggestions Chen Qi offered would undoubtedly elevate the film tremendously. With this kind of creativity, plus Li Lianjie, plus that roster of national martial arts champions... Whew! The Yuen Clan Stunt Team had never fought a battle with such an embarrassment of riches; it was like a mouse dropping right into a honey jar.
Finally, Chen Qi said, "The mainland's conditions may be poor, but our talent pool is top-notch, and we have so many scenic landscapes. We will put in our absolute best efforts. As you both know, we didn't ask for stuntmen, nor do we have doubles; everyone will perform their own stunts.
"Everyone has been holding their breath, pouring all their energy into this film!
"Speaking from the heart, as martial arts choreographers, coming across such a group of people is a rare opportunity. I hope you two can give us your full support and join us in making the greatest martial arts film of our time!"
The Yuen brothers had come with the mindset of hired hands, but that didn't mean they had no ambition. Caught up in the moment, they felt a deep resonance and said repeatedly, "Entrusted with a task, we will see it through faithfully. Rest assured!"
"Then shall we head back down to practice some more?"
"Let's go!"
The three walked out the door chatting and laughing, seemingly having forgotten something.
Li Wenhua: *Ermmm!*
Chapter 99