He Zhaoyuan (1811-1890 AD) is one of the eighth generation inheritors of Zhaobao Taijiquan. After his skills were perfected, he became a guard of Li Tangjie, a veteran of three dynasties in the Qing Dynasty. He was granted the title of Wu Xinlang. Once when he passed through Handan, he showed the inner strength of a waxwood pole and acacia tree to warn a local mountain king to change his evil ways. Because of his outstanding martial arts, he was feared by the martial arts world in the capital. When Li Tangjie was taking the imperial examination, the chief examiner of the Ti-Ren-Gue University, Qi Yanzao, heard about He Zhaoyuan’s martial arts, and immediately summoned He Zhaoyuan to inquire about his martial arts and told him about learning Taijiquan from the famous teacher Chen Qingping. Later, he inherited the “University” and enriched the theory of Taijiquan with Yi Li.
After studying and learning, He Zhaoyuan melted into the practice of boxing. After returning home, he reported his situation in Beijing to Master Chen and performed the Taijiquan he had studied and innovated for him. Master Chen believed that there was indeed innovation and development, and that it was unique and could be established as an independent school, so he named it “He’s Tai Chi”. Master Chen’s open-mindedness deeply touched He Zhaoyuan, and in order to thank his teacher, he swore: “He’s Tai Chi will continue to be arranged according to the Zhaobao inheritance, and the differences will not be divided into sects.” The master was also happy with it.