Shaolin Kung Fu 'Warlords!' And the Taiping Revolt

Jet Li's latest film is tremendous! Dealing the T'aistudent, learning Ao Tai Dao (Atado), Jern Jing
Ping Kuo (Taiping Revolt--sometimes also knownKhuen Fat (Elephant Fist Way) Changquan &
as the Boxer Rebellion) which rocked the corruptmuch more, eventually becoming Fei Lung (Flying
Qing Dynasty struggling to hold on to power inDragon). In 1972 (approximately) back in the U.K.
China in the 1860s, 'Warlords!' shows the Taipinghe founded Fei Lung Quan (Flying dragon
Rebels' threat to China's long-term stability wasSociety).Hence the dragon tattoo on my left
greater than eventhat of the wicked Qing--theforearm with the single dot above its head (No 1
despised Manchu Government of China at thatStudent Mark) Si Gung Rex Jones (and Sifu John
time.Gunning- the inspiration behind Hoan Lung Quan)
Jet Li plays General Pang, Leader of the Shantransferred some of the content to me-- and I've
Army, striving to bring stability to the Lowertaught some of this!
Yangtze Basin against a background of QingGrandmaster Yap Leong (currently my most
intrigue. True to character, Li Lin-Jie's Chaquan,esteemed Teacher) was raised in an Ipoh
aka the Kung Fu of The Muslims or, known to(Malaysia) street immediately adjacent to Leong
some even more familiarly, as Tan Tui (SpringFu's Kung Fu Quan and knows many interesting
Leg), is displayed forcefully in ways typical ofanecdotes about him. Few realise that
Nothern Shaoiin Kung Fu. Pang's vision and hisGrandmaster Leong Fu was also World
deep long-range understanding of battlefield tacticsMiddleweight Wrestling Champion for 3
and strategy is also conveyed authentically.consecutive years, retiring undefeated in1963.
The Changchuan style of Northern Shaolin KungGrandmaster Yap Leong clearly remembers his
Fu we practice in Hoan Lung Quan (part of Shaolinfight with King Kong (Asian Wrestling Champion at
Fists International) comes from contemporarythat time) in Kuala Lumpur, when he was young.
sources. At'a was Warlord General of The EverIt is almost certain that Si Jo Leong Fu was
Victorious Army--known as such because theyknown to Si Jo Chee Kim Thong the amazingly
were always succesful in getting their pay!'talented teacher (Champion of 5 of China's 22
Warlords!' makes clear that this was the mostProvinces) (2) of Grandmaster Yap Leong,
problematic area imaginable at that time! TheyGrandmaster Chan See Meng and a host of
were only successful in this as they were paid bymodern-day kung fu luminaries.
the British Government, being led (nominally) bySo, congratulations to Li Lin Jie for his fine
Captain (later General) Charles Gordon, the faintlyperformance as General Pang and the insight
smiling darling of Victorian Britain (1) who was to"Warlords!" provides into the background
die later at Khartoum.influences and powerful dynamics shaping Shaolin
After the Taipings were defeated the EverKung Fu in 19th Century China and for making
Victorious Army was disbanded and mostclear its battlefield origins and applications.
members returned to their 'home' abornNotes and References:
inmmmreas--many came fron Malaya. Leong Fu,(1) Rodzinski, W A History of China Vol 1 p.303
born in Malaysia, was the son of Chinese(2) See Kung Fu Secrets Magazine Vols 2 (2003)
immigrants and in the 1950,'s he met Si Gung Rexand 3 (2006) for fuller details of the astounding
Jones, serving with the SAS (Special Air Service)skills and abilities of Grandmaster Chee Kim Thong.
who became Si Jo (Founder of Style) Leong Fu's