The Power of Chan Wah

Leung Jan had many students, and his senior students would help him teach others. Many people came to ask to become a student and it was hard for Jan to refuse, but he always made sure to choose only good students. The bosses of the shops liked Wing Chun and always wanted to learn and asked their friends to learn as well so they could have practice partners. Sometimes groups would get together and invite Jan to their place to teach them for a short time. If the place was close, and convenient, Jan would agree. If he didn't have medical work to do, he would go. Many people at the time liked martial arts, and so would try to befriend Jan.

Leung Jan did, sometimes, refuse to take on students. One who got refused was "Jiao-Chin" ("Money-Changer") Wah who's proper name was Chan Wah. Since he owned a money-changing stall, that became his popular nick-name. Wah was very big and strong. He had never learned martial arts, but knew Jan was famous and desperately wanted to become Jan's student. Wah, however, was only a small businessman, not a wealthy gentleman and so he did not suit Jan well. Wah was saddened when Jan refused him, saying he had too many students and was full already.

Chan Wah did not give up. He worked on a plan to gain tuition. One day, when passing by the pharmacy, he saw Leung Jan standing behind the counter. Wah decided to take a chance and took out a coin and went in. Wah asked to buy some Gold and silver medicine. The price was two pennies, and Wah gave Jan his coin. Jan looked at the coin and said it was too much. It was a silver coin. Wah took the coin back and slammed it down onto the table, breaking it cleanly in half. Jan realized Wah was demonstrating the extent of his power. Jan smiled at Wah and asked Wah why he went to the trouble of showing him his power. Wah responded that Jan was famous for his Wing Chun and everyone knew him. Wah said he was only a small guy who changed money in the market and never had the chance to learn the martial arts. Wah maintained that he dared not show off his power to Jan, this was only an accident. Jan responded that if Wah had never learned fighting skills, he must have a natural talent.

Chan Wah told Leung Jan that though he had been born with good power, he needed instruction. Like someone finding a large jewel, with no one to shape it it would be of no value. Wah again asked Jan to be his teacher. Jan realized Wah had not been showing off before, but had only come to show Jan his potential. Jan liked the idea and agreed to become Wah's teacher.

Chan Wah confessed he had wanted Leung Jan to teach him for a long time, but Jan had always refused, so he thought the only way to get Jan to change his mind was to show Jan his power. Jan liked that Wah was honest and really wanted to learn. Most of Jan's students were businessmen, working all day long and practicing at night. They didn't work hard. Jan was thinking about the future, and didn't think most of them would be good quality. Jan had been teaching for years, yet all his students were of normal ability, not outstanding. He saw, however, that Wah had a strong desire and could possibly be the one to continue the expansion of Wing Chun. Leung Jan told Chan Wah he would take him as a student, but he must be willing to work very hard, only that way could he succeed. Wah was very happy and kneeled down before Jan, calling him teacher.

From that day on, Chan Wah was Leung Jan's student. Wah did as his teacher said and practiced constantly. Every night he went to Jan's shop to learn. Wah worked hard, no other student worked like him and so he progressed very fast. Jan thought Wah could become good, and continue the style, so Jan taught him more knowledge.

Go Hao-Chi, the head of Foshan's police, also liked Wing Chun a lot and thought it was very good, so he was very dutiful to Leung Jan. Hao-Chi always asked Jan to his offices to discuss Wing Chun and one day gave Jan a card saying he was one of Jan's students. Because he was honest, Jan took Hao-Chi as his student and when he had time, he went to Hao-Chi's office to talk and teach him Wing Chun. Everyone knew Hao-Chi was now Jan's student, and so Jan's fame continued to grow.

Many people came to Leung Jan to learn. Because Jan's office was small, he could not take on so many people, and because most of them worked at their day jobs a lot, they had not enough time to practice Wing Chun. Chan Wah was an exception, he worked very hard and got a lot of knowledge. Jan thought it was possible that because Wah was big and strong, he may even surpass his teacher one day. Jan eventually asked Chan Wah to open a class and teach some students. Jan told Chan he had been a good student and worked hard, so Jan had taught him all the techniques. Jan told Wah he had gotten all the knowledge and was quite good now, so he could continue Jan's dream of spreading Wing Chun.

Leung Jan taught Wing Chun because his teacher, Leung Bok-Lao, had asked him too. But since he was a businessman, it had not suited him to do so. He had done it anyway, and taught students for many years, spreading Wing Chun throughout Foshan. He had also taken Wah as his student and now the duty of spreading Wing Chun would be passed to Wah. Jan pointed out that Wah made money by changing money, but that if he handled things right he could make even more money teaching Wing Chun. Jan told Wah that, step by step, he should open a school.

Chan Wah was silent, contemplating Leung Jan's words. He told his teacher he was not a bright man, and he worried that he could not do a good job spreading Wing Chun. Jan reassured him his skills were good, and that he could do a good job, so Wah could not refuse. Wah made sure Jan would still teach him, and teach him how to teach, and then went out and looked for a location for his school.

Chan Wah found a place called Chan Dai Tong, which was big enough for his purposes, and began to decorate it. The school only had a few weapons, no lions, drums, or gongs. On the honor wall, Wah hung a picture of a White Crane, because Wing Chun had come from the White Crane. When his school opened, Wah chose students. They were still mostly businessmen, but now also workers. Many people still went to Leung Jan's office, but now he told them to study with Wah instead. Some people still invited Jan to their homes to learn, and Jan would still go.

These stories were translated by Rene Ritchie, and have been included here with his permission. Visit the Yuen Kay-San Wing Chun home page to see the originals.