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Wing Chun had become quite famous in Foshan. Chan Wahâs school had many students, including Wahâs son Chan Yiu-Kam. Yiu-Kam learned alongside Wahâs other students. Even though he was Wahâs son, his skill had not yet reached the level of Ng Chun-So, since Yiu-Kam had begun later.
After Chan Wah passed away, Lui Yiu-Jai, Ng Chun-So, Chan Yiu-Kam, and others continued to spread Wing Chun. Yiu-Jai opened a school on Sa-Tang Street. Yiu-Kam opened a school on Sai (West) Street. Chun-So and Yuen "The Fifth" taught privately at local businesses at night. Many others had gained good quality skills from "Grandfather" Wah as well. After Wah died, Lai Hip-Fu and Yip Man got Chun-So to continue their lessons. They did not teach however, and thus were not as famous as Chun-So.
Yip Man came from a wealthy family and had a bright character, but not much to do with his time. He would mostly take his bird to the park and take tea and chat at restaurants where he met many kinds of people. Everyone knew he had very high quality Wing Chun so they respected him greatly.
After the fall of the Republic of China, the Yip familyâs fortunes began to wane. Yip Man had made friends with the local detectives, where he would go almost every day to play mahjong and watch the cock fights. Someone there knew Yip was a good student of "Grandfather" Wah, and asked him to give them a demonstration. Yip replied that Wing Chun was good for practice, but not for show. It was not good looking, and was better for using than for watching. The detectives insisted, however, so Yip had to give a demonstration.
Yip Man asked for five volunteers. He said they were to take one end of a rope, and the other end would be tied around his leg whereupon he would take his stance. The volunteers would then try to pull and see if they could move him. The detectives were delighted to try and the rope was tied to Yipâs right leg. Yip walked to the center of the room and proceeded to lift his left leg into the air, balancing on his right. Yip then told the detectives to pull. They thought it would be very easy, doubting Yip could stay stable on just one leg. They all pulled together, yet they could not budge him at all. Yip asked them to use all their power, but he still could not be moved. Everyone then knew he had high quality skills. The detectives greatly respected Yipâs skills and they all got together more often.
Around 1913, the Yunnan Provincial Army was stationed in Foshan at the San Sim Mui Gwun. The army was not composed of nice people, but rather of criminals and robbers. The commander of the army let them run roughshod through Foshan, taking what they wanted and not paying for anything. The local people tried to avoid them, and many locals were taken to do manual labor.
During the Autumn festival, many shops put up decorations outside. The nightly festivals were very popular and crowded. People from the country and many nearby areas came to watch the festivities, even from as far away as Hong Kong. Many young ladies would go out to watch, and bad men would try to take advantage of them, so fights were common and the Yunnan army was supposed to keep order.
Near the Jo Miu temple, many army officers walked around without uniforms, trying to pick up women. They seldom took no for an answer, so many ladies ran away. At this time, the streets were very crowded and one could not move around quickly. One of the shops near the Jo Mui temple was famous for its high quality decorations, so many people always went to see them.
At night, Yip Man and a few of his friends went to see the festival. He went to the corner of Cheung Hung street, where there was a crowd of over a thousand people. Suddenly, he saw a few women in the crowd surrounded by a group of men harassing them. One of the men was tall and strong. Due to the large crowds, the girls could not move easily, and the men began to grab at them. The women screamed but the bad men did not stop.
Yip Man managed to work himself close by and grabbed the big manâs sleeve and told him to stop. The large brute responded that Yip could not stop him. Yip knew the man was part of the Yunnan army and so he was scared. But because he had already grabbed him, Yip was committed. Yip told the man that he could not behave like this.
The large man swung at Yip Man, but Yip dodged his head and avoided the blow. At the same time, however, the man drew his revolver and pointed it straight at Yipâs chest. Without hesitation, Yip grabbed the barrel while at the same time the brute moved to squeeze the trigger. Afraid, Yip knew he must continue - there were too many people about and he could not get away.
Yip Man used the strength of his fingers and his internal power to twist the gun. The revolver was steel, and not easily broken but Yip managed to dislodge the chamber, sending it falling to the ground. The soldier managed to squeeze the trigger but, without bullets, nothing happened. Yip was both frightened and surprised.
There were many soldiers about and Yip Man knew he had to leave quickly. He let go of the gun and ran to escape. By the time the soldier regained his chamber, Yip was gone and could not be found. The army man heard that Yip was a Wing Chun boxer of very high skill, nevertheless, the soldier wanted him caught for resisting him.
Yip Man knew the army was looking for him, and many told him he must leave Foshan and go away. Yip decided to go to Guangzhou.
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.