In ancient China, the examination system was the main way for the state to select talents. The imperial examination is mainly divided into two types, wenju and martial arts. For a long time in the history of our country, there has been a phenomenon of emphasizing literature over martial arts, so when we understand the imperial examination, most of us understand the literary movement, and we do not know the martial arts deeply. Today we will take a look at the last Wu Zhuangyuan in history.
The emergence of the martial arts system
In history, the Tang Dynasty officially established the martial arts system, and Wu Zetian announced to the world in the second year of Chang'an that an annual martial arts examination was held, and those who passed the examination would be awarded official positions, which is the official introduction of "martial arts" in China's examination system. After this, the martial arts examination was inherited by most feudal dynasties and became an important system for feudal dynasties to choose good generals.
Before the Sui Dynasty, the criteria for selecting talents in ancient China were usually determined by character and virtue. During the Sui Dynasty, the establishment of the imperial examination system expanded the scope of talent selection, and the selection criteria were also changed to candidates' scores. It was not until the Time of Wu Zetian in the Tang Dynasty that Wusheng was valued, and the imperial examination system also increased the number of martial arts.
In the martial arts examination, the final winner is "Wu Zhuangyuan". However, becoming a martial artist also has to pay a great price, most of the people who take the martial arts examination are highly skilled in martial arts, and the competitive pressure is also large, so it is not easy to win. Injuries in exams are common, and severe ones can cost you your life. And there are not many Wu Zhuangyuan in history, probably only 208 people.
The rise of martial arts was during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and the martial arts system of the Ming Dynasty was established very early, but it has not been determined. During the Qing Dynasty, the state vigorously advocated the martial arts system, which was far more important than that of the Ming Dynasty, and the system and admission procedures were relatively strict and fair, which also made the folk martial practitioners flock to the martial arts. However, throughout history, martial arts have always been neglected compared to literary acts, and the number of times martial arts in previous dynasties has been abolished is not in the minority.
In the Tang Dynasty, martial arts mainly relied on weightlifting, riding archery, horse guns, etc., not only that, the examinations at that time also valued the appearance of the candidates; in the Song Dynasty, it was stipulated that martial arts could not only be armed, but also knew the art of war; in the Ming Dynasty, it was changed to must first pass the written test to be eligible to participate in the martial arts examination.
Super high martial arts talent
Zhang Sanjia was born in a martial arts family but the family's financial situation is not strong, his father is also proficient in martial arts, and especially likes to take children to exercise, under the influence of his father, Zhang Sanjia has practiced martial arts skills since he was a child. And whether it is a knife, a gun, a sword, a sword, a halberd, or a bow and arrow, a whip and other weapons, he can use it skillfully, especially if he is particularly good at using large knives. Zhang Sanjia showed his talent for martial arts training at the age of fifteen, when he had become a powerful figure.
With the continuous improvement of his strength, even his father could not help but sigh at his son's strength, so Zhang Sanjia's father sent him to the famous martial artist Mr. Yang Guochang. Although martial arts have gradually declined in modern times, Yang Guochang at that time had real talent and practical learning, and he was also famous throughout the country for his superb martial arts.
And the master Yang Guochang did not easily accept apprentices, and he must have the qualifications to make him optimistic. Zhang Sanjia because of long-term practice, although he is very young, he has a lot of muscles on his body, and he has worked hard at a glance. Yang Guochang didn't say a word and immediately accepted Zhang Sanjia.
Take the imperial examination
At the age of twenty-one, Zhang Sanjia successfully became a teacher, and his master felt that he would definitely be able to obtain Wu Zhuangyuan with his strength, so he strongly encouraged him to take the martial arts examination. That is, in the twenty-fourth year of Guangxu, when the imperial court decided to abolish the martial arts system, and this session also became the last martial arts in history, and Zhang Sanjia took the martial arts examination in this year. At first, everyone didn't look up to him, thinking he was ragged and looked ordinary. However, he easily passed the township examination with his superb martial arts skills, and people were surprised at why he was proficient in the use of various weapons.
While participating in the examination, Zhang Sanjia was fortunate to meet his noble prince Gong. At that time, Zhang Sanjia was punching hard, and happened to be seen by Prince Gong who came to inspect. For those who were weak in boxing and weak in literature, Zhang Sanjia immediately made Prince Gong look happy, and felt that this person must not be an idle person, so he directly let him enter his door. In the next temple examination, Zhang Sanjia did indeed show good results. He wielded a large sword weighing one hundred and eighty pounds and flew on his horse, which immediately attracted the attention of the Guangxu Emperor, and directly ordered Zhang Sanjia to be appointed as a Wu Zhuangyuan.
Compete with Huo Yuanjia
After gaining fame, Zhang Sanjia flew up the branches overnight to become a phoenix, from a poor boy to being reused by the imperial court, achieving things that many people could not achieve in their dreams, but he did it. He became famous for his superb martial arts, and many people wanted to see his face.
Huo Yuanjia also learned Zhang Sanjia's name at this time. In order to have a good competition with Zhang Sanjia, Huo Yuanjia specially found Zhang Sanjia's residence to compete with him. The two were tit-for-tat, but to the point. It is said that when the two competed, Zhang Sanjia, out of respect for Huo Yuanjia, did not shoot. Instead, he made a rule: as long as Huo Yuanjia could make him move his position, then even if he lost; on the contrary, Huo Yuanjia lost.
As soon as this rule came out, it felt like provoking Huo Yuanjia, but Zhang Sanjia's reputation was outstanding, and Huo Yuanjia did not dare to take the enemy lightly. In fact, it was also true, Huo Yuanjia did not make Zhang Sanjia move by half a point after kicking the first kick with all his strength, he still stood there rock solidly. Huo Yuanjia kicked several times in a row, who knew that Zhang Sanjia still did not move at all, just standing there like a statue. At this time, Huo Yuanjia also knew that the other party did have real ability. So he directly conceded defeat and praised Zhang Sanjia, and Zhang Sanjia completely made a name for himself.
epilogue:
Zhang Sanjia, the last Wu Zhuangyuan in history, was both unfortunate and lucky. Unfortunately, he came from a poor family, lived a life of up and down, and was often discriminated against by others in his life; fortunately, he won the title of Wu Zhuangyuan with a good skill that he had practiced for many years, and since then he has been famous and has no worries about food and clothing.
Looking back on Zhang Sanjia's life, it can be said that it is a great pity that he could have had a great future, but unfortunately, after he achieved success in the examination, less than a month later, he was depressed because he was working on state affairs all day, and finally died and died young. After his death, the rulers of the Qing Dynasty also completely abolished the imperial examination system. Therefore, he became the last "Wu Zhuangyuan" in the history of our country.
References: "Breaking the Line, Giving Chen Tongfu a Strong Word to Send", "New Book of Tang"