Chapter 008: Taiji Coach (Part One)
For four consecutive days, I did not wait for Feng Qianru.
Wang Biao could not figure out what Peng Yuanzheng actually wanted to do with Feng Qianru, but he was also powerless to intervene
Jiao Nianbo held a single cassette recorder, and soon this group of male and female students lined up on the field. As Jiao Nianbo played the music of "Cloud Water Zen Heart," the group began to practice Tai Chi.
Everyone must remember: the essence of Tai Chi is to prioritize lightness, agility, and composure, balancing hardness and softness. Each movement should be light and composed, neither floating nor stiff, externally soft yet internally strong, with a complete and elastic force, avoiding the use of brute strength. Today, we will not learn new movements; instead, we will review the first 16 forms. First, we will practice together twice, and then each person will perform once while I provide individual guidance. Alright, let's proceed with that.
The gentle and exquisite music, like a few white clouds leisurely drifting across the vast sky, is, in Peng Yuanzheng's view, fundamentally out of sync with the Tai Chi movements of Jiao Nianbo and others, and cannot achieve that harmonious realm of unity between heaven and man
Entering the familiar campus, he hurriedly made his way straight to the training facility area located in the southwest corner
He embraced himself with both hands, slowly approaching the edge of the stage, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth. If it were not to take the opportunity to get closer to Feng Qianru, he would never have sought to make a show in this manner
Jiao Nianbo also approached with a frown and said, "Peng Ge, what are you doing here? Didn't you graduate and return to Xin'an?"
Just as Peng Yuanzheng was feeling disappointed and preparing to consider other options, at 10:00 AM on the fifth day, he was about to leave the training venue when he saw seven or eight young men and women in white Tai Chi training outfits walking side by side on the tree-lined path ahead, clearly students from Jinghua University
Feng Qianru is clearly the organizer of this group of team members. She frowned slightly, stepped forward, and cast a glance at Peng Yuanzheng, asking, "What are you doing? Which department are you from?"
"What do you understand?" Gu Chunting dismissively waved his hand. Before he could finish his sentence, Peng Yuanzheng interjected calmly, "Taiji, I understand a bit, although it's just superficial knowledge, but it is still better than mere show."
The next morning, Peng Yuanzheng set out alone for his alma mater, Jinghua University, which he had left less than a month ago
As the music came to a halt, Peng Yuanzheng stood leisurely on the spot, cupping his fists in salute towards Gu Chunting, and said, "I acted on a whim and have embarrassed myself!"
Gu Chunting was furious, almost ready to leave in a huff
How can one get in touch with Feng Qianru is a question
Feng Qianru's impression in Peng Yuanzheng's mind was undoubtedly fixed on the mature, charming, and noble female merchant of her past life, yet as a perceptive individual, he still recognized at a glance the Feng Qianru of this era, who appeared somewhat youthful and full of the vitality of youth
As Peng Yuanzheng interrupted, everyone found it impossible to continue practicing. Gu Chunting, filled with anger, pressed the button on the recorder and looked up at Peng Yuanzheng, scolding, "Who do you think you are? What are you doing here causing trouble?"
As a result, many team members became aware of his presence, and Jiao Nianbo even directly recognized Peng Yuanzheng
Peng Yuanzheng stayed at Wang's house for one night, yet he could not devise a way to meet Feng Qianru. However, an unintentional remark from Wang Biao stirred something in Peng Yuanzheng's heart
Peng Yuanzheng chuckled and said, "I came to the capital to handle some matters, and I just returned to the school to take a look. Xiaobo, you are going to participate in the performance for the 50th anniversary of the school's founding, right? The props are quite good, but they lack spirit and essence, and it seems you won't be able to achieve much in practice."
Starting from the mid-1980s, a nationwide enthusiasm for Qigong surged across the land of China. Practices such as the Five Animal Frolics, Crane Stance, and Arhat Skill became popular, followed later by Xiang Gong. In just a few years, the number of Qigong enthusiasts reached over 60 million, with dozens of Qigong publications, various academic works on Qigong, Qigong medical institutions, and Qigong performance events flourishing everywhere. The popularity of Tai Chi, in fact, is a byproduct of the Qigong craze
Peng Yuanzheng discreetly observed Feng Qianru from the corner of his eye. Seeing her standing there, seemingly lost in thought, he gritted his teeth and once again cupped his fists towards Gu Chunting, saying, "I kindly ask for your guidance, teacher"
As Peng Yuanzheng gazed ahead, his eyes suddenly brightened, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly with excitement
Gu Chunting clapped his hands, and Jiao Nianbo immediately ran over to turn off the music, after which everyone laughed and gathered around.
Peng Yuanzheng took a stroll but did not find Feng Qianru's figure. Most of those practicing Tai Chi were elderly men and women. It seems they are mostly retired teachers or staff from the school
Gu Chunting frowned slightly, glanced at Peng Yuanzheng, and waved his hand to signal him to move away a bit and not to disturb the team's practice. However, Peng Yuanzheng had come with intention, so how could he possibly retreat
If it were not summer vacation, Peng Yuanzheng could think of a way, but now it is indeed summer break, and Feng Qianru is not attending classes at school at all. The so-called wealthy families are as deep as the sea; how could the young lady of the Feng family be someone ordinary people can meet
Gu Chunting was a discerning individual, aware that the young man before him possessed profound skills in Tai Chi. However, as an authority on Tai Chi in the capital, renowned as a master, how could he possibly lose face in front of the sudden appearance of a stranger like Peng Yuanzheng? Therefore, he coldly smiled and said, "Young man, what you have is merely flashy moves and a deceptive display."
Although the white duckbill cap obscured her elegantly styled long hair and half of her face, her stunning beauty and noble demeanor could not be concealed. The large black sunglasses allowed Peng Yuanzheng to see only the perfect curve of her lips, yet they exuded an air of confidence and restrained elegance.
Gu Chunting waved his hand, signaling Jiao Nianbo to play the music again and continue practicing
Wang Biao said that Feng Qianru is a member of the Tai Chi team at Jinghua University. During the summer vacation, she might frequently go to the training hall at the school for training sessions. Peng Yuanzheng decided to go to his alma mater early tomorrow morning to try his luck.
Peng Yuanzheng cast a glance at the irate Gu Chunting, then swiftly stepped forward to press the button on the tape recorder. He then calmed himself, relaxed his shoulders, and extended his arms, beginning to punch in time with the music's melody. His movements were exceptionally graceful and fluid, appearing very elegant and aesthetically pleasing, with techniques that were smooth and seamless, elusive and unpredictable. As he continued, he exuded a vigorous energy, each move purposeful, naturally interconnected, swift as a storm yet gentle like a babbling brook.
Jiao Nianbo and the other team members were captivated, while Feng Qianru gazed intently at Peng Yuanzheng, who was boxing, her eyes sparkling and a hint of astonishment curving her lips.
Peng Yuanzheng clapped his hands and casually remarked, "Practicing like this is not effective; it is merely form without spirit. It cannot be said to achieve the harmony of hardness and softness, nor the movement of intention through form. After a round of this flashy display, all you will gain is a profuse sweat, and you won't even meet the goal of strengthening your body."
Jiao Nianbo and the others practiced for half an hour before their coach, Gu Chunting, arrived late.
At the same time, Peng Yuanzheng also discovered a familiar person, a junior from the Chinese Department named Jiao Nianbo.
Even for someone like Wang Biao, a scion of the capital's officials, it is quite difficult to find an opportunity to intersect with Feng Qianru
Beneath the red walls and green tiles, the ancient and elegant school gate, adorned with intricately carved beams and painted pillars, evokes a first impression not of a school but of a government office. This is precisely what sets Beijing University, a prestigious century-old institution, apart from others.
Peng Yuanzheng wandered around the training venue for two hours, yet he did not catch sight of Feng Qianru and had no choice but to leave in disappointment. However, he did not give up; on the third day, he continued to arrive early, quietly sitting by the edge of the arena, waiting for an opportunity.
Peng Yuanzheng watched for a while, shaking his head in silence. It is a lamentable situation for this national treasure that Tai Chi has been reduced to such a superficial level.
Gu Chunting is reputed to be a direct descendant of Yang-style Tai Chi, serving as the vice president of the Tai Chi Association in the capital. He is also a well-known Tai Chi master in the surrounding areas of the capital. If it were not for Feng Qianru's intervention to invite him, he would have been unwilling to waste his time teaching a few university students
On the open basketball court on the left, two teams are engaged in a fierce battle, while on the right, many people are practicing the currently popular qigong accompanied by melodious music. Of course, there are also a dozen individuals practicing tai chi in the morning.
There are many schools of Taijiquan in China, but the version of Taijiquan that is popular and disseminated in universities does not belong to any specific school. Instead, it is a newly adapted form of Taijiquan modified by the National Sports Commission, primarily focused on fitness and placing greater emphasis on performance.