Volume 1 Chapter 39: The Old Leaders' Tai Chi Guidance (Part 2) Carefree
The cadre who looked like a secretary led Peng Yuanzhen into the Mingyuan Sanatorium, but the military jeep that brought them turned around and sped down the mountain without entering the sanatorium.
As he stepped through the gates of the sanatorium, the cadre turned around and looked at Peng Yanzhen with a serious expression, whispering, "Comrade Xiao Peng, the people who are going to see you are several old leaders from the Central Committee. You must not be rude, nor can you talk too much or speak nonsense. Just answer whatever questions they ask you, please remember my words."
Peng Yuanzheng hummed in response and nodded his head. From start to finish, he didn't know the person's identity or name, nor did he bother to ask.
The man finally felt at ease and went inside with quick steps.
Peng Yuanzheng followed the man, entering a small building and stopping in front of a conference room on the first floor. The man indicated that Peng should do as he said, then knocked respectfully on the door.
"Come in!" A calm and powerful voice with a hint of hoarseness came from the conference room.
He opened the door, and Peng Yuanzheng saw at a glance that what was called a conference room was actually more like a reception room. A circle of sofas were arranged along the wall, and seven or eight elderly men of different heights and weights but with a strong presence were sitting on the sofa. Their warm eyes had a sharp gaze, and several of them wore military-style short-sleeved shirts and trousers without epaulets, black leather shoes polished to a high shine, and sat upright with good posture, obviously retired military leaders.
The secretary-like cadre smiled respectfully and said, "Old Zhang, I've brought the Comrade Xiao Peng you called for - Comrade Xiao Peng, please come in."
Peng Yuanzheng composed himself and walked in slowly.
Seven or eight pairs of bright and sharp eyes were cast on him, Peng Yuanzheng felt a slight pressure and tension. These old leaders who had just stepped down from high positions, the intangible aura of being in power for life, had almost merged into their personal temperament, emitting it subtly.
Peng Yuanzheng let out a subtle sigh of relief, with a smile on his face, and nodded to the senior leaders in respect, with an attitude that was neither humble nor arrogant, and a demeanor that was calm and composed.
Zhang Lao - the one in the middle wearing a half-sleeved white shirt, with hair that was graying but combed neatly, and a round face with a warm expression, smiled at Peng Yuanzheng, "Comrade Xiao Peng, good, you've come."
"Comrade Jigang, this is the young Comrade Peng I was telling you about earlier, an absolute master of Tai Chi." Zhang Lao smiled at a dark-skinned old leader with short hair and no military insignia on his uniform sitting next to him. "Last night, at the Beijing University anniversary gala, Young Comrade Peng's Tai Chi performance was truly magnificent, leaving me with a deep impression."
As soon as the name "Comrade Jigang" fell into Peng Yuanzheng's ears, he couldn't help but feel a shock in his heart and involuntarily carefully sized up that old leader, guessing that this was the famous founding general Zheng Jigang, Old Zheng.
Zheng Jigang smiled calmly, glanced at Peng Yuanzheng and waved his hand, saying, "Comrade Xiao Peng, after Old Zhang returned, he couldn't stop praising your Tai Chi skills. We old men were moved to learn it too. We're currently practicing Tai Chi, but we lack a coach - how about this: let's go to the playground, you practice a round of boxing to open our eyes."
As soon as Zheng Jigang's voice fell, several other old leaders also echoed in unison.
Zhang laughed loudly, "Comrade Xiao Peng, don't be nervous. Comrade Jigang is trying to test you - he has been practicing Tai Chi for half a year and wants to be our coach. When I invited another coach over, he must have felt uneasy. Come on, let's practice first and let Comrade Jigang know that there are people outside the mountain and people outside the world!"
Several old leaders burst out laughing.
Zheng Jigang's face turned serious, and he coughed twice before saying, "Nonsense! What do I have to be disgruntled about? However, whether it's a mule or a horse, it must be brought out for a walk!"
Having said that, Zheng Jigang glanced at Peng Yuanzheng and strode away, leaving as swiftly as the wind.
……
……
On the green space in front of the building, staff had already set up audio equipment, and some medical personnel and secretaries from the sanatorium, as well as bodyguards for Zhang Lao and Zheng Jigang, also came out of the building and stood behind these old leaders, sizing up Peng Yuanzheng from head to toe.
Peng Yuanzheng took a step forward, first saluting the senior leaders with a fist and then gesturing for the music to start.
He stood tall and straight, his body as still as a mountain, and made an opening move.
The several old leaders who were watching exchanged a nod of approval, and from this steady momentum alone, it can be seen that this young man has extremely deep skills in Tai Chi.
The melodious melody floats on the stage, Peng Yuanzheng moves with the rhythm of music, either as swift as a stormy rain, or as gentle as a breeze. His movements are stretched and fluttering, turning and pushing, one punch is played with enthusiasm and excitement.
He practiced not the ordinary and common Tai Chi routine, but his years of immersion in European-style Tai Chi, which has both aesthetic value and practical combat value, bringing a strong sensory impact to the old leaders: it turns out that Tai Chi can also be played like this! Like military boxing, vigorous and powerful!
"Good! Wonderful!" Zhang Lao applauded first, followed by Zheng Jigang and Zheng Lao.
When the old leaders all applauded, the staff behind them also warmly applauded together. Wonderful, it's really wonderful. No one expected that Tai Chi, which is known for its gentle and slow movements, could be performed to such a degree of perfect coordination between offense and defense, advance and retreat, opening and closing.
The old leaders are connoisseurs, although they have not practiced Tai Chi for a long time, but they have seen many Tai Chi masters. There are several so-called Tai Chi masters in Beijing who have come to the sanatorium to give them guidance.
Zheng Jigang was eager to hunt and actively went down to the field, asking to practice with Peng Yuanzhen.
Zhang Lao Da laughed, "Comrade Xiao Peng ah, our Ji Gang comrade is itching to try - just go through the motions with him, but don't overdo it."
Zheng Jigang smiled brightly and said, "Come on, Comrade Peng, let's exchange a few moves!"
Peng Yuanzheng hesitated for a moment, and smiled respectfully, "Old Zheng, I'm just showing off my skills, if we were to really fight, I wouldn't stand a chance. Please spare me some face, young master!"
Peng Yuanzheng actually didn't want to fight Zheng Jigang. Not only because of their identities, but also because of their ages. These old leaders are all over 70 years old, although they are full of energy and spirit, but if something goes wrong, how can he bear the responsibility.
"Don't look down on this old man just because he's advanced in years, but if we really start fighting, you may not necessarily be my match. Come on, let's exchange blows!" Zheng Jigang took up a stance, which was quite proper and orthodox.
Peng Yuanzheng couldn't help but smile wryly and stepped forward to exchange blows with Zheng Jigang.
However, he only used three points of strength, and all of them were along Zheng Lao's fist path and fist force, the two men came and went, and they complemented each other. Although Zheng Lao's body was strong and robust, after all, his age was there, and after several rounds, fine beads of sweat had seeped out on his forehead.
Peng Yuanzheng saw an opportunity to retreat, taking advantage of Zheng Lao's momentum, and quietly took two steps back, clasping his fists in respect and smiling, "The old leader's skills are impressive, I'm ashamed to be inferior!"
He had already seen that Zheng Lao was a very stubborn and proud old man, who humbly conceded defeat without revealing any obvious "horse foot", saving face for Zheng Lao. Zheng Jigang was extremely pleased, laughing loudly, taking the towel handed over by the staff, wiping his sweat, then walking over to pat Peng Yuanzheng's shoulder, "Not bad not bad, young people's basic skills are very solid, rare!"
"Old Zhang, I've recognized this Tai Chi master! Hmm, it's settled then. Comrade Xiao Peng, you just stay in the sanatorium for a few days and help us old comrades correct our movements—"
