Xu Damao's Thirty-Six Stratagems in Siheyuan

"Jie Cheng, congratulations, hurry up, who will pick you up today?"

Yan Jiecheng is in high spirits today, really. It is the eighth day of the second lunar month, and although it is still chilly, it cannot stop his fiery heart.

Xu Damao's old public bicycle came in handy today.

It's not close, and it takes half an hour by bicycle, so an hour to go there and back, and we also have to consider staying at the girl's house for about half an hour, so we have to set out to pick up the bride at nine o'clock and arrive at No. 11.58 compound at 95: noon on time for the banquet.

The No. 95 compound was bustling with activity. Originally, each family had planned to send one person, plus the members of the Yan family and the Yan family's in-laws would send their relatives, so there would be three tables for sure.

But the uncle and his wife came, and the deaf old lady in the backyard came even though she didn't bring any gifts. The most important thing was that the Jia family brought a gift of 30 cents, and three people came: Jia Zhang, Jia Dongxu, and his son Jia Geng, and each of them took a seat. These three families almost occupied the entire table.

This made Yan Fugui very anxious. What should he do? He couldn't lose face, so he asked Yan Jiefang and Liu Guangtian from his second uncle's family to go to the market to buy a table of dishes so that they could be prepared before the banquet. Otherwise, there would be a lot of noise.

Fortunately, everything went smoothly. Under the management of the young chef He Yuzhu, three tables of formal banquets were served first. The Yan family, Xu Damao, Yu Li and others ate at the last table, and the situation was finally resolved.

Yan Fugui was really annoyed by the Jia family's behavior, and he also complained about the first uncle. Although the first uncle gave a gift of two yuan, it was normal for two people to have a meal. The main reason was that the first uncle announced to the No. 95 compound at the Yan Jiecheng wedding banquet that he would also hold a banquet tomorrow, and he would have five tables. Yan Fugui felt embarrassed.

Other people would set up five tables for the wedding banquet for their godson, but you only set up four tables for your son's wedding.

He Yuzhu is a bachelor, so I still have to charge a labor fee for hosting a few tables, one yuan per table, no cheating. Yi Zhonghai even gave He Yuzhu five yuan on the spot. Yan Fugui really thought that the old man did it on purpose, throwing him on the ground and stomping on his face.

The wedding banquet went smoothly. Although Yan Jiecheng's new wife Wang Qiongying's appearance was not as good as Qin Huairu, Lou Xiaoe, and Yu Li, she was pretty and most importantly, she was a regular worker in a textile factory. This was the first among the wives of the same generation in the compound.

Yan Jiecheng was still a temporary worker, but he actually married a regular worker, which made Yan Fugui very proud. Everyone's surprised congratulations finally made Yan Fugui feel that it was worthwhile to host the banquet today.

He Yuzhu was the last one to sit at the table to eat, chatting quietly with Xu Damao.

"Da Mao, what's going on? A master suddenly wants to hold a five-table family recognition banquet?"

"Brother Zhuzi, who cares? Just take your five dollars. It's five dollars, not a small amount."

"That's true, but Jia Dongxu is in luck. This kid is so lucky to have a godfather like a master. He will never have to worry about food and drink, and he can go gambling again. Just wait and see."

"That's perfect. Courtyard 95 will be more lively in the future."

He Yuzhu took advantage of Yan Jiecheng's banquet to toast Xu Damao with a glass of wine, "Damo, you have been promoted to a cadre, and I haven't congratulated you yet. Come, let me toast you a glass, congratulations."

"Brother Zhuzi, your congratulations are not sincere enough. You should prepare a delicious meal and congratulate me alone. After all, I am a people's defender now. Don't you think you can take me as a role model?"

"Go away, go away. You are such a stinking person. Look how you show off. Does Lou Xiao'e know that you are so stinking and showing off?"

"I know. My wife admires you so much. Brother Zhuzi, you don't have to provide the ingredients. I'll buy some pig offal one day and you can braise it for me. How about that? The braised intestines you made last time were so delicious. Whenever I think of them, my mouth starts watering."

"No problem, but I have to tell you that you can't buy pig offal just because you want to. I'll stew it for you when you buy it."

After the wedding banquet, the next day is a day of rest.

Early in the morning, the west wing of the central courtyard was bustling with activity. An old man and an old woman, Jia Dongxu, went to the market early to buy enough food, and bought six or seven kilograms of meat alone.

Since He Yuzhu had accepted this family reunion banquet, he naturally got up very early. After the ingredients arrived, he started stewing the meat.

No one in the No. 95 compound had a big feast for two consecutive days. Everyone was very excited. Especially when the auntie called everyone from each household, she said directly that she would not accept any gifts, and only two people from each family would attend the banquet, which made the residents of the compound very happy.

At noon, before the banquet started, the uncle solemnly announced: After consultation with Mrs. Zhang from the Jia family, Jia Dongxu voluntarily recognized Yi Zhonghai as his godfather and Aunt Yi as his godmother, and would take care of them until the end of their lives.

In front of all the residents of Compound No. 95, Jia Dongxu kowtowed to the old man and old woman who were sitting upright and called them godfather and godmother. The old man and old woman each gave Jia Dongxu a red envelope.

The ceremony is over and the banquet begins.

Xu Damao didn't attend the banquet, because he had something to do and he didn't attend on purpose. He let Lou Xiao'e, who was at home, attend the banquet, and although she didn't bring any gifts, she did bring a snack box.

Xu Damao went to Yandaixie Street to practice martial arts.

Today, according to the arrangement of his master Zhang Taihe, his senior brother Zhang Lingyun will teach Xu Damao the internal skills of Xingyi Bagua and officially accept Xu Damao as his disciple.

"Da Mao, is this yard yours?"

"Brother, my family is not that arrogant. This is Xiao'e's family property, and the title deed belongs to my mother-in-law. It's just that my mother-in-law gave it to Xiao'e as a dowry. You don't know that there are many people in our No. 95 compound, so I usually practice here. Although the place here is not big enough, the location is still quiet, and it is not easy to be too conspicuous when the door is closed."

"Da Mao, you are so lucky to have married a good wife."

"Brother, it's better to have your own wife than to have one yourself. Besides, my wife's family background is not good, and I don't know what will happen to her in the future."

"Let's get back to the point, Damao. It's been quite a while since you started learning the standing posture and practicing the routines. My dad said that he seemed to feel that you have developed a sense of Qi, which is not easy."

"Brother, you are the best teacher. Of course, I also work hard myself. Haha, am I narcissistic?"

"Very good. People who practice martial arts must have confidence, otherwise what's the point of practicing martial arts. My dad said that you can practice the fixed-style eight palms now. Fixed-style eight palms: This is the internal power palm method that the beginners of Baguazhang learn. It is mainly based on eight fixed-style walking and turning, supplemented by transformation. It is not only a standing practice in martial arts, but also a walking practice in qigong, aiming to correct the shape, ventilate the qi, invigorate the spirit, and strengthen the strength. When practicing, it requires both internal and external cultivation, the combination of movement and stillness, and the unity and concentration of spirit, qi, intention, and strength. So you have to practice hard. But there is only one requirement, after you have achieved something in practice, you must not bully the weak and you must not hurt others without reason. Xingyi Bagua is not like Tai Chi. In fact, when practicing martial arts, sometimes you can kill as soon as you make a move. You have to pay attention. In today's society, martial arts are taboo, and hurting people is not allowed. This is also the reason why I haven't taught you the fixed-style eight palms yet. Don't accuse my dad of hiding something. I really can't afford to take the risk."

"Brother, I understand. It is not easy to learn from a master. I am very lucky that Master can let you teach me now. I will not have any thoughts. I will only practice hard and live up to Master's expectations. I will definitely use what I have learned in the right way in the future. You can rest assured, Master."

"Okay, Damao. I will teach you the fixed eight palms now. You are familiar with the routine now, so you should be able to master it quickly. The key is to pay attention to the coordination of qi, movement, and mind in order to make progress. Next, start reciting the formula:

The eight palms of internal strength create yin and yang, essence, energy, spirit, strength, and qigong.

The four pairs of Qian, Kun, Gen and Xun are divided, and the eight trigrams of Kan, Li, Zhen and Dui are formed.

The innate qi needs to be practiced often, and the combination of hardness and softness should be carefully explored.

Practice the hand, eye, body and footwork externally, and cultivate the mind, spirit, intention and energy internally.

Lifting, lowering, opening and closing are the methods for practicing internal strength, while practicing Dantian can bring you infinite wonders.

Practice to the point where your muscles and bones are connected, and the Qi will flow freely throughout your body."

Xu Damao followed Zhang Lingyun, reciting the formula while following the demonstration to start the first sinking palm movement.

In a whole day, Xu Damao initially mastered the basic techniques of the four palms: sinking palm, moon-holding palm, lion-rolling palm and sky-supporting palm.

"Da Mao, today we will stop here. There are still four more palms to practice: Flat Push Palm, Finger to Heaven and Earth Palm, Yin Yang Fish Palm, and Pushing Grind Palm. Once you are familiar with the first four palms, I will teach you. Take it step by step, don't rush."

"Brother, I know that it is impossible to eat a fat man in one bite."