In an ancient martial arts hall in Tianjin, dust jumps in the sun, and the air is filled with bronze light and precipitated years.
The name of the martial arts hall, "Divine Eagle", has become a legend in the martial arts.
Here, the competition between the two martial arts masters is about to kick off, and a contest of honor and strength is quietly unfolding.
Huo Yuanjia, a young hero of Tianjin martial arts, is famous for his incomparable courage and outstanding martial arts.
His gaze was firm and fiery, like the warm sun in winter, both hot and powerful.
And his opponent, Li Ruidong, was the chief of guard of the Empress Dowager Cixi, a mysterious figure who had experienced vicissitudes in the court and had unique skills. His face was as calm as water, but his eyes revealed a bottomless depth.
1. Celebration Feast: Cixi's Birthday and Martial Arts Performance
One day 1900 years ago, the Forbidden City was brightly lit, and the glazed tiles shone golden in the light.
At the 60th birthday banquet of the Empress Dowager Cixi, guests gathered, dignitaries from all over the world, foreign envoys, and royal nobles gathered together, wearing gorgeous palace clothes, a prosperous scene.
In this context, Duanjun Wang Zaiyi invited martial arts master Li Ruidong to perform in the palace as a guest and host.
Li Ruidong, dressed in a cyan military uniform with a slender soft sword hanging from his waist, walked into the birthday banquet hall, and his arrival immediately attracted the attention of everyone present.
Li Ruidong first saluted the Empress Dowager Cixi, and then began his performance in full view.
He jumped lightly on the pillars beside him, and with a slight touch of his feet, he soared into the air like a swallow, and his body shuttled lightly between the beams and pillars of the temple, every movement seemed elegant and sharp.
Sometimes he flipped in the air, sometimes he jumped along the walls, and each time he landed almost silently, as if the whole person was one with the air.
With his every movement, the audience let out bursts of amazement.
The Empress Dowager Cixi sat on the main seat, watching Li Ruidong's performance intently, with an approving smile on her face.
After Li Ruidong made a perfect flip in the air, he landed firmly on the ground, and the whole movement was smooth and free, winning the applause of the audience.
After the performance, the Empress Dowager Cixi said to Li Ruidong: "What a 'divine eagle', it is really excellent in martial arts!" Li Ruidong leaned over slightly and responded modestly: "The minister doesn't dare to be, he just wants to add glory to the emperor's birthday." ”
The Empress Dowager Cixi was even more pleased when she heard this, and under the witness of everyone, she gave Li Ruidong the title of "Divine Eagle".
The banquet continued, and Li Ruidong's martial arts performance became the focus of attention.
The guests present communicated with him one after another and were amazed by his light work.
Li Ruidong is always humble and polite when answering questions, and does not show his edge.
On this night, Li Ruidong's name and his performance spread inside and outside the palace.
2. Career in the palace: guards and loyalty
After that grand birthday banquet, Li Ruidong's life trajectory underwent a fundamental change.
He went from a martial artist to a close guard of the Empress Dowager Cixi and entered the inner circle of the palace.
As a guard, Li Ruidong not only had to protect the safety of the Empress Dowager Cixi, but also often handled government affairs with the Empress Dowager, becoming an indispensable figure around her.
Every morning, Li Ruidong would come to the Empress Dowager Cixi's bedroom at the beginning of the morning light, waiting for the Empress Dowager's call. He was dressed in neat guard attire and wore his longsword at his waist, ready for any eventuality.
Under Li Ruidong's protection, the Empress Dowager Cixi can handle state affairs with peace of mind and do not have to worry about personal safety.
In the life of the palace, Li Ruidong not only had to deal with the daily affairs of the court, but also had to follow the whereabouts of the Empress Dowager Cixi.
Whether it is going to the palace of the Summer Palace to rest, or going to the summer palace to deal with government affairs, Li Ruidong always follows closely and remains vigilant at all times.
During the Empress Dowager's several trips, Li Ruidong relied on his keen observation and excellent martial arts skills to resolve potential crises many times, such as assassination attempts and emergencies, and made great contributions to ensuring the safety of the Empress Dowager.
However, with the invasion of the Eight-Nation Alliance, the situation in the Qing Dynasty became more and more turbulent.
Outside Beijing, the sound of artillery continued, and the threat of coalition forces was looming.
Against this background, Li Ruidong's task has become even more arduous.
Not only did he continue to protect the safety of the Empress Dowager Cixi, but he also had to participate in the development of strategies to deal with foreign enemies.
At an emergency meeting, the Empress Dowager Cixi faced various ministers to discuss countermeasures against foreign enemies. Li Ruidong stood behind the Queen Mother, and although he did not say a word, his eyes were always vigilantly looking around to ensure the safety of the meeting.
As the situation deteriorated, the Empress Dowager Cixi was forced to leave Beijing and began a year-long life of fugitive.
During this time, Li Ruidong loyally followed the Empress Dowager Cixi's side, protecting her safety day and night.
During his escape, Li Ruidong showed extraordinary martial arts and wisdom.
Not only did he have to deal with the pursuit of the enemy, but he also had to face all kinds of hardships and dangers along the way.
They passed through uninhabited mountains and forests, trekked through rushing rivers, and Li Ruidong consistently guarded the Empress Dowager Cixi's side.
During a night attack, Li Ruidong, with his superior martial arts and resourcefulness, successfully repelled the sudden appearance of the assassins and ensured the safety of the Empress Dowager Cixi.
As the fighting worsened, the Empress Dowager Cixi was forced to take refuge in Xi'an. During his days in Xi'an, Li Ruidong still loyally guarded the Queen Mother, but deep down he felt unprecedented worries. He witnessed the decline of the Qing Dynasty and felt the suffering of the people, all of which deeply saddened him.
3. Inheritance of martial arts: teaching and fame
In the end, Li Ruidong made a difficult decision.
He asked to meet the Empress Dowager Cixi and expressed his desire to resign and return to his hometown.
In front of the Empress Dowager Cixi, Li Ruidong said: "Empress Dowager, the minister has always been loyal, but now, the minister wants to go home. ”
The Empress Dowager Cixi looked at him, was silent for a while, and then nodded slowly: "You are free, go." ”
After Li Ruidong returned to Tianjin, he did not immerse himself in the loss of leaving the palace, but devoted all his energy to the study, Xi and teaching of martial arts. He opened a martial arts hall in Tianjin, called "Condor Martial Arts Hall", which was named after his title in the imperial palace and also symbolized his superb martial arts.
The Condor Martial Arts Hall quickly became famous in Tianjin. The martial arts hall is home to a variety of martial arts weapons, ranging from long swords to steel whips. On the walls of the museum are portraits of Li Ruidong in the palace, showing his heroic appearance.
Every day, the martial arts hall welcomes many martial arts enthusiasts, either to improve their martial arts or out of respect for the famous teacher Li Ruidong.
Professor Li Ruidong's approach is unique and rigorous, he pays attention to the training of basic skills, and emphasizes both internal and external training. During training, he would personally demonstrate and teach his disciples by hand.
His martial arts include not only superb light skills, but also profound internal skills and exquisite swordsmanship.
In the martial arts hall, Li Ruidong's stern but encouraging voice can often be heard: "Hold on for a while, lay a solid foundation, and go further in the future!"
It is precisely because of this rigorous attitude and profound martial arts that Li Ruidong has won a high reputation in the local area.
Not only ordinary people, but also many heroes in the martial arts also came to visit, hoping to communicate with Li Ruidong.
Whenever a martial arts master visits, Li Ruidong always warmly receives them, and they learn skills in the martial arts hall, sometimes even attracting many onlookers.
It was during this period that Li Ruidong met a young martial arts enthusiast named Huo Yuanjia.
Huo Yuanjia was already well-known in Tianjin at that time, and after he heard about Li Ruidong's name, he came to visit.
When Huo Yuanjia stepped into the Condor Martial Arts Hall, Li Ruidong was instructing his disciples to practice Xi boxing technique.
Huo Yuanjia stepped forward and saluted Li Ruidong: "Master Li, I have admired my name for a long time, and I have come to visit." Li Ruidong glanced at him and nodded in return: "Huo Shaoxia, I heard that your martial arts are extraordinary, welcome to the Condor Martial Arts Hall." ”
Fourth, the legendary duel: Huo Yuanjia's challenge
In the exchange between Li Ruidong and Huo Yuanjia, the martial arts competition between the two gradually became a daily routine.
Huo Yuanjia has an incomparable passion and dedication to martial arts, and he always comes to the Condor Martial Arts Hall with a heart of learning and Xi.
Li Ruidong also appreciates the enthusiasm of this young martial artist, and often exchanges martial arts with him to improve together.
One day, a large number of spectators gathered in the martial arts hall, who came from all over Tianjin, all to catch a glimpse of the battle between Li Ruidong and Huo Yuanjia.
Two martial arts masters stood in the center of the martial arts hall, and the surrounding audience watched them intently.
Huo Yuanjia faced Li Ruidong, his eyes flashing with fighting spirit.
He knew that this was a rare opportunity, and it was a great honor for him to be able to compete with a master like Li Ruidong.
At the beginning of the competition, Huo Yuanjia immediately showed his speed and strength.
His punches and kicks slammed into Li Ruidong like a storm, and each blow was full of power and speed.
Li Ruidong stood in place, as steady as Mount Tai.
His eyes were calm, and every time Huo Yuanjia's attack came, he could accurately judge and deal with it.
With a slight movement of his body, he was able to deftly avoid attacks while responding to changes without changing.
As the competition progressed, Huo Yuanjia's attack became more and more violent.
He used all his strength, and every kick was carried by the wind, trying to break down Li Ruidong's defense. But Li Ruidong still remained calm, his body seemed to be integrated with the surrounding environment, and every time Huo Yuanjia attacked, he could defuse it with the smallest movement.
Just as Huo Yuanjia was about to launch a third kick attack, Li Ruidong suddenly spoke: "Huo Shaoxia, after three kicks, there is still an endless way to go." ”
This sentence made Huo Yuanjia's movements pause instantly, he looked at Li Ruidong, a trace of realization flashed in his eyes, he knew that this was Li Ruidong giving himself face, and the other party almost didn't move when he went down his feet, which was enough to show that he couldn't beat Li Ruidong.
Subsequently, Huo Yuanjia retracted his offensive and saluted Li Ruidong with his fists: "Master Li, thank you for your advice." ”
Li Ruidong smiled and returned the salute: "Huo Shaoxia, your martial arts are already exquisite, but the martial arts are endless, and you still need to keep cultivating." Huo Yuanjia nodded, indicating understanding.
The excitement of this competition in martial arts and the touch of the soul made everyone present moved.
At this moment, Huo Yuanjia's respect for Li Ruidong is even deeper, and Li Ruidong is full of expectations for Huo Yuanjia's future.
This competition between the two is not only an exchange of skills, but also a spiritual collision and sublimation, which has become a good story in the martial arts.
Reference: "Records of Martial Arts in the Late Qing Dynasty" "Empress Dowager Cixi and Her Guards"