Zheng Wuqing (1895-1984), courtesy name Fengchen, formerly known as Zheng Wuqing, was born in Zhaobao Town, Wen County, Henan Province. He was the tenth generation master of Wudang Zhaobao Tai Chi. From 1938 to 1947, he served as a martial arts instructor at the Xi’an Garrison Command, the Seventh Branch of the Huangpu Military Academy (with the rank of major), the Xi’an Office of the Kuomintang Military and Political Department, the Northwest Supply Office Command, and the Shaanxi Provincial Government, and served as a member of the Xi’an Guoshu Museum. After 1949, he served as a member of the Xi’an Sports Committee.
Legendary life:
Mr. Zheng Wuqing suffered from an incurable disease (child tuberculosis, gastric bleeding) since he was thirty years old, and medicine was ineffective. He studied under the famous Tai Chi teacher He Qingxi. Mr. Zheng was determined to study, practice hard, and persevere, and he got the true meaning of Tai Chi. He also met Mr. An Boyi, a geomancer who enjoyed a high reputation on both sides of the Yellow River. Mr. Zheng Wuqing benefited from Mr. An in terms of physics, mathematics, and imagery. Mr. Zheng Wuqing studied the principles of Yi in depth, read widely, and integrated the theories of Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, medicine, military, calligraphy, literature and history into Tai Chi. Using the theory of meridians and human mechanics, based on his own practical experience, he further sublimated the health-preserving and longevity effect of Tai Chi, so that his body, which was not cured at the age of 30, died at the age of 90 without any disease, and his life continued for another 60 years. He also passed on the health-preserving and fitness methods to everyone, so that more people can benefit.
Tai Chi Contribution:
Mr. Zheng Wuqing has unique insights into Tai Chi theory and innovative spirit in boxing. The main principles and methods are: practicing Tai Chi is to cultivate the mind and refine the nature, follow nature, and be relaxed and flexible: follow the shape with the qi, and correct the shape with the qi; avoid using stagnant force, especially avoid using intention; small and stretch, large and compact; straighten the waist and body, balance oneself; center, flat and round, light and flexible; follow the whole body, overall coordination; live everywhere, use everywhere, small and fast; hit people without revealing; practice is mainly to refine qi. It not only maintains the traditional wood color, but also has its own characteristics. Mr. Zheng Wuqing has superb boxing skills and profound internal strength. He has never worn ice skates, but he can practice boxing on ice with skates, and he can move freely; nails cannot penetrate the flesh; stones thrown into the water do not cause splashes; acupuncture is extraordinary… In the use of martial arts, he hits people without revealing his form, and tests his skills with others, hitting people from a distance with subtle changes.
Social influence:
Song San, the guard officer of Empress Dowager Cixi of the Qing Dynasty in China, and Shang Chengxia, the escort, have never met an opponent since they have practiced martial arts, but one day they knelt in front of Mr. Zheng Wuqing… “His boxing skills are beyond the image, and he gets the circle. The changes are strange and interesting, and there are unique wonders that some people don’t know, so he made a name for himself in the martial arts world with his superb boxing skills” (inscription on the “Monument to Mr. Zheng Wuqing, Tai Chi Master”), and he is known as one of the “Two Zhengs of Northwest Tai Chi” in the martial arts world. Mr. Zheng’s noble character is even more respected by the world. Mr. Zheng taught Tai Chi for more than 40 years, and his students were from all walks of life, and countless of them stood out. In 1984, when he passed away, the Xi’an Sports Committee sent a telegram to the Wen County Sports Committee: Mr. Zheng Wuqing made contributions to the inheritance and innovation of Zhaobao Tai Chi. In 1987, his disciples at home and abroad built the “Monument to Mr. Zheng Wuqing, Tai Chi Master” in Zhaobao Town. The leader of the Chinese Wushu Association and the famous martial artist Li Tianji wrote the banner: Monument to Mr. Zheng Wuqing, a famous Tai Chi master, to carry forward the essence of Wudang. Wudang Magazine and Wudang Mountain Boxing Research Association wrote a couplet: “In memory of the third anniversary of the death of Zheng Wuqing, the first generation master of Zhaobao Taijiquan, and the love for the students in Xijing and the fame spread all over the world; the martial arts and Wudang’s heroic power left a strong Chinese nation” (written by Tan Dajiang). In 1994, a commemoration event of “Grand commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the death and the 100th birthday of Zheng Wuqing, the first generation master of Taijiquan” was held in Zhaobao Town. Liu Xiaseng, the former director of the Xi’an Sports Committee, the chairman of the Wushu Association, and the old martial artist, wrote “The Master of Internal Power”, and Li Tianji and others sent telegrams and letters to commemorate him. Many of his disciples have established many martial arts groups at home and abroad, most of which are named after him. At the suggestion of the leaders of his hometown, the “Wenxian Zhaobao Taijiquan Zheng Wuqing Boxing Research Association” was established in Zhaobao Town (Zheng Jun, the second son of the master, is the president). In order to study and promote the Taijiquan theory and method of the master, various groups have published several Taiji works among his disciples. His works have been featured in special issues in domestic and foreign newspapers and magazines such as China People’s Daily, China Sports Daily, Chinese Martial Arts, Wudang, Chinese Tai Chi, Wuhun, and Italian martial arts monographs. His biography has been included in classics such as Dictionary of Contemporary Chinese Martial Artists, Dictionary of Chinese Figures, and National Chinese Elite Conference.