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Pak Mei Pai Grandmaster Cheung Lai Chun

白眉派宗師張禮泉

張禮泉pinyin: Zhang Liquan

jyutping: Zoeng Lai Cyun

hakka: Chong Li Tsang

a.k.a.: Cheung Lai Chun

1882 * Cheung Lai Chun ( 張禮泉 pinyin: Zhang Liquan & Hakka: Chong Li Tsang)

In May 1882 Cheung Lai Chun was born in a merchant family in WaiYang County (惠阳) now WaiChow City, East Bridge Street (今惠州市橋東街). His father died when Cheung Lai Chun was still a baby and he was raised by his mother. His fathers jounger brother had no occupation

and gambled. Once when he asked Cheung Lai Chun's mother for money he went into a rage and threw the young Cheung Lai Chun around. The

fall broke his left arm. He was four years old. His mother took him to the village chief instructor and traditional doctor/bone setter (中醫學) Lam

Shek (林石 Lin Shi 1831-1908) for treatment. Lam Shek healed Cheung Lai Chun's arm and three years later he accepted him as his student.

*Note: There are several years (1880, 1882, 1884 and 1889, mentioned as the birth year of Cheung Lai Chun. The year 1882 is the most



mentioned. We know that Chung Lai Chun joined the Hing Zung Wui Society (興中會) in 1900. Looking at the birth years 1884 and 1889 they

are more unlikely due to his young age.

1889 Lo Man Gaau (Liuminjiao 流浪教) or Lo Man Pai 流浪派

At age seven sifu Lam Shek taught him a most secretive Hakka Boxing style by the name of Lo Man Gaau (流浪教 Liuminjiao) or

Wanders/Beggars style. Lo Man Gaau is a very rare and old style. Even in those days not often taught or seen. It is most probably the oldest style

of Hakka boxing. The Wanders or Beggars style has aspect of Daoism (道教), specially the occult practises. The art is pure for self-defence and

has no fancy moves, some will compare it to street-fighting. It’s on-guard posture “beggar asking for rise” is found in many other styles. From

Lo Man Gaau Cheung Lai Chun took into his Pak Mei the forms Sap Zi Kyun (十字拳) and Sam Cha Tai Pah (三叉大扒).

1895 Wai Chow Li Ga Cyun (惠州李家拳 Huizhou Lijiaquan-Wai Chow Li Family

boxing)

Later, at the age of 13, he was accepted at the school of master Li Meng (李矇). This famous Wai

Chow Li Ga Cyun (Huizhou Lijiaquan 惠州李家拳) was founded master Li Yi (李義 1794-

1884). Li Yi first had learned Southern Shaolin Style from his father Li Gau (1744-1828 Li Jiu 李玖) who was said to be a student at the Fuijian Shaolin Temple (福建南少林寺) and from his

father’s younger martial brother Juk Lung (Yu Long 玉龍禪師) on Lau Fu mountain (羅浮山). Li

Gau and Juk Lung were members of the Heaven and Earth Society (天地會) and were shot dead

by Qing troops. Li Yi was rescued and taken to his home by Northern Style (北派拳) master

Chan Gau Sik (Chen Gouxi 陳苟息). Later on he married the daughter of Chan Gau Sik old

friend Fung Yang (Fengyang 鳳陽) and trained for eight years under Chan Gau Sik. After that he

returned home to Wai Chow Fo Dei village (Huizhou's huodi village 惠州郊區火地村) where he

started teaching. One day he saw, during practise, a snake and crane in battle. After seeing this hecreated his own style based on the teaching of his masters and the character of the snake andcrane.

There Cheung Lai Chun was taught the art of Wai Chow Li family Boxing (Li Ga) by Li Meng

(李朦 Li Mung). The curriculum of Wai Chow Li Ga consists of; “72 earth gods fist” (七十二地煞拳)，” 8 diagram fist” (八卦拳), “small Cross”( 小十字), “Big Cross” (大十字), ”3 doors fist”

(三門拳)，etc. Weapon forms like “double head staff” (雙頭棍), “centre pull staff” (中拉棍),

“long dragon staff” (長龍棍) , ”Big Wave Staff” (大陣棍)，”left right thousand character big

rake (trident)” (左右千字大耙)，”single dish sword” (單刀碟) and “big sword whip” (大刀鞭).

From Li Ga he took into Pak Mei the forms of Sam Mun Zeoi (三門拳) , Zung Laan Gun (中欄棍) and Ng Hang Gun (五行棍).

* Note: There are several styles of Li Ga Boxing. Do not confuse Wai Chow Li family Boxing with San Wui Li Ga Cyun (新會李家拳 Xinhui

Lijiaquan) of Li Jau San (李友山 Li Youshan)

1900 Hing Zing Wui (興中會 Xingzhonghui Society)



Cheng Shi Leung (鄭士良)

Lam Hap (林合)

Lam Hap's House in Loeng Fa (梁化林合祖屋)

Around 1900 at the age of 18 Cheung Lai Chun joined his first secret society the Hing Zing Wui (興中會Xingzhonghui). This “Society for Regenerating China” of one of the many secret societies part of the Hung Moon

League (洪門會 Hongmenhui). The Hing Zing Wui was led and established in November 24 1894 by Dr. Sun

Yat-Sen (孫逸仙) a Hakka Chinese born in the village of Choy Hang (翠亨村 Cuiheng) in Guangzhou province.

Cheung Lai Chun took part in the Wai Chow rebellion (惠州起義) let by Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s Triad brother Cheng

Shi Leung (鄭士良 Zheng Shiliang) also a Hakka born in WaiYang (惠阳 Huiyang) country where Cheung Lai

Chun also came from. After training and hiding in the secret mountain fort in San Chow Tien (三洲田Sanzhoutian) the revolt started on of October 8 1900. In the beginning the revolt was a success, but due toproblems of supply of weapons, ammunition and food the army was send home to their villages and ended onOctober 23. After about one year, due to the loss of the rebellion, Cheung Lai Chun returned to his family in WaiChow village. Beside that this was Cheung Lai Chun's first secret society experience and was also his first combatexperience.

1902 Nam Siu Lam Lam Family Dragon Sign Boxing (南少林林家龍形拳)

After his return to Wai Chow Cheung Lai Chun joined the school of Lam Hap. Lam Hap (1831-1908 林合 Lin He)

was a native Wai Yeung. For Chinese standard he started late (at age 10) in training boxing in the family martial arts

of Lam Ga (林家拳 Linjiaquan). From age 17 he followed the famous master by the name of Wong Lin Kiu (黄連矯Huang Lianjiao) who came from Hoi Fung (海豐). His master was also called by his alias “Hoi Fung Monk”( 海豐禪師 Hai Feng Sin Shi). Wong Lin Kiu was a Fujian Shaolin Temple (福建少林寺) monk for 28 years who came to the

Waa Sau Toi Temple (華首臺 Hua Shou Tai) on Lau Fu mountain (!浮山) around 1850 and opened there his

martial school. After Lam Hap saw Wong Lin Kiu win in a contest of a local martial artist Chow Sou Lam (周蘇林Zhou Sulin) he knew that his martial skills were astonishing. One of the famous methods Wong Lin Kiu taught was

“3 contacts” (三通). Of all of Wong Lin Kiu’s student the most outstanding were Lam Hap and Lam Qing Jyun (林慶元 Lin Qingyuan, father of Lam Yiu Quai). Lam Hap changed the famous “3 moves”( 三通) into “9 step push”( 九步推) and Lam Qing Jyun changed it into “16 step push”( 十六步推).

In 1862 Lam Hap started his own famous Boxing school “Wai Joeng Lam Ga

Mou Gwun” (惠陽林家武館 Huiyang Lin Jia Martial School) in “Wai Joeng

Loeng Fa Heoi” (惠陽梁化墟 Huiyang Liang Huaxu). Later on he was a

government official of the SingTungMun in WaiChow (惠州城東門之守城官). Once during the practise of basic skills like straight step (直步) and Cross

Form (十字) at Luo Fu (!浮山) mountain he was watched by a monk. The

monk then asked him: "You practise the same skills as I do, who is your

master?". It turned out that this master was Gwong Zeon (廣進禅"Guang

Jin), the sihing ("兄 elder martial brother) of Wong Lin Kiu. Gwong Zeon

was the abbot on the SiuSat mountain (福建省少室山) Fuijian province. To

refine and complete his skills he studied for 3 more years with Gwong Zeon.Among the students were Cheung Lai Chun, his younger brother Lam Qing

Yuan (林慶元 Lin Qingyuan), his nephew Lam Yiu Quai (林耀桂 Lin

Yaogui), Lam Wun Sin (林煥先 Lin Huanxian), Lam Caan Gwong (林燦光Lin Canguang), Ceon Cing Gau(秦程九 Qin Chengjiu ), Lam Zin Hung (林展雄 Lin Zhanxiong- who was a schoolmate of Chiang Kai Shek) and so on.

The curriculum of Lam Hap’s Dragon Style consists of: Dragon Sign 18

rubbings (龍形十八摩), Dragon Sign 24 broken bridge hands (龍形二十四度斷橋手), Fierce Tiger jumping wall (猛虎跳#), Eagle Claw ($抓), 4 doors provoke hitting (四門挑打), Lively Dragon Living Tiger (生%活虎), rigid bridge (嚴橋), Siu Lam Double leading staff (少林双&棍), 9 starting staff (九下手棍), Long Staff (長棍), Big Sword (大刀), Double



Cheung Lai Chun in Buddist Robe

sword (双刀), Single Sword (單刀), etc. Of the teaching of his master Lam Hap, Cheung Lai Chun took into his Pak Mei the form of Ying Jow

Nim Kiu (鷹爪黏橋). Later on Cheung Lai Chun was assisting in teaching in Waidung Loeng Fa Lam Family Martial School of Lam Hap.

1908 To Guangzhou to seek fortune

In 1908 Cheung Lai Chun went to Guangzhou (廣州) to seek fortune. In the beginning when he had not yet a home he stayed with an uncle. Like

lots of Chinese people Cheung Lai Chun would go out every morning to have breakfast in a teahouse in Guangzhou. On one of these morningshe noticed a young monk sitting on one of the tables. Under the visitors of the teahouse were many Manchu's, including some officers from thearmy. These Manchu officers behaved very rude against the Chinese (Han) visitors and harassed them at their tables. Cheung Lai Chun noticedthat they always avoided the young monk, although he was not build very strong or looking dangerous. Even on busy day's no one dared to sit atthe monk's table. Cheung Lai Chun realised that this monk must be someone very special.

On a quiet day Cheung Lai Chun decided to make acquaintance with the young monk and he sat down at the table of the monk. At the momentthat Cheung Lai Chun was sitting down, the young monk stood up and sat somewhere else. Cheung Lai Chun wasn't giving up his attempt andsat again down at the table of the young monk. This ritual went on a couple of days. One day the monk stood up again and Cheung Lai Chun saidto him: 'Sifu I do not have an disease, why do you walk away every time? Aren't we both Chinese? (meaning both not being Manchu)'. Theyoung monk thought a little moment and then sat down again. So after all the two men began speaking and after some weeks they even becamefriends. One day, on the birthday of a certain god, Cheung Lai Chun prepared some food and invited the young monk to be his guest. They alsodrank and the young monk became a little tipsy. Cheung Lai Chun tried to talk to him about Chinese Boxing. But the young monk just kept oneating and said nothing. At length, Cheung Lai Chun spoke. 'Sifu, may I give a performance of my Chinese Boxing knowledge?' Then CheungLai Chun performed a certain form. 'Do you think that it is good enough for real fighting?' he asked the monk.

The monk replied noncommittally, 'It depends.' Cheung Lai Chun said, ' Ah, Sifu,you know Chinese Boxing, otherwise you would not talk to me like this. Will youplease give a demonstration so we can see something?' The young monk was stilltipsy. He stood up and gave a performance of three movements. He showed darting

fingers (鏢指biu tze), one “phoenix eye” (鳳眼 fong ngaan) punch and one “monk

disrobing technique” (迫馬羅漢脫袈裟 baak ma lo hon tyut gaa saa). Cheung Lai

Chun criticized him unfavourably. 'Sifu, your kungfu is not useful, you just stoodthere, How can you hit your opponent like that?' The young monk said: 'It depends'.He meant that it depends on what sort of opponent you met. Then Cheung Lai Chunsaid, 'Maybe we can have a private contest?'. The young monk said nothing but juststood there. Reluctantly Cheung Lai Chun asked him to put himself on guard. Themonk just shook his head. Cheung Lai Chun rushed forward and used an arrow fistfrom the Li family Boxing to attack him. Then he retreated and tried to slip to heright hand side of the monk. But the monk blocked his arm and stopped him.Cheung Lai Chun tried to use some other techniques but could not make anyheadway.

Then he said: 'Let's try again, I still have some other movements left'. Soon after hetold me he used a technique of the Dragon Sign Style, rushed, deflected and tried to make the monk block him. Then he used the close ear andshoulder movement to make him fall. Unfortunately for Cheung Lai Chun the young monk used the technique he had shown earlier: monk takesof robe. He turned at waist, blocked and pushed.

Then Cheung Lai Chun flew of like an airplane. As he flew down he landed on a fishtank and broke it. He was cut on the chin by broken glass and seriously shocked. Hegot up, not understanding why he had been flung away by this little monk so easily.Blood came from his chin. He sighed and spoke with the monk. 'Ah great monk, ifyou had shown me your real art I would have not dared to challenge you. May I havethe honour of becoming your student?' The monk waved his hands and said: 'I couldnever do this; if my sifu hears this he would think that I was showing off here, thereand everywhere and I would be punished.' Cheung Lai Chun felt astonished. 'Mylord, your kungfu is so marvellous, your sifu must be very, very good. Come onintroduce me to him'. This request made the young monk nervous. He said: 'Please bekind enough not to try to see my sifu?' He went on: 'If he knew that I had showedsomebody my Chinese Boxing he would half kill me.' At that time Cheung Lai Chundid not insist seeing this sifu. He just made friends with this young monk and invited



Gwong How Temple (1905) 光孝寺

Cheung Lai Chun demonstratingin Gwong How Temple

Wong War Mausoleum

him out to meals as usual.

After several weeks he had gleaned that the old

sifu of the young monk was Chuk Fat Wan (竺法雲禪師 Du Fa Yun). His favourite and

almost exclusive food was eggs. He was on apilgrimage and temporary living in Gwong

How Temple (光孝寺 Guang Xiao Si),

Guangzhou. It turned out that old Chuk Fat Wan had been a disciple at a temple where Pak Mei had taught

his students in a temple on O Mei (峨嵋山 Emei shan) mountain of Sze Chuan (四川 Sichuan) Province.

When Chuk Fat Wan had completed his training he had brought his disciple Lin Sang (蓮生Lian Sheng) to

visit some other provinces of China. When he arrived in Guangzhou he had taken up residence in GwongHow temple. He was then 92 years old. Cheung Lai Chun had thought that he was an excellent boxer, andwas trying his luck in Guangzhou. Having been beaten by the young monk his confidence had been shownto be ill founded. One day he had bought two large baskets of eggs and followed the young monk Lin Sang

(蓮生) to the Gwong How temple. This quite annoyed the young monk, but Cheung Lai Chun ignored his

displeasure. When they met Chuk Fat Wan, the old Master was angry. The young monk knelt down on thefloor and bowed to his master. Cheung Lai Chun explained that he was looking for the true martial arts.Sincerely he wanted to become a disciple. Old sifu Chuk Fat Wan refused him. He told Cheung Lai Chunthat he would leave Guangzhou and go to another place, but Cheung Lai Chun said that he would followhim. At last he was accepted and he sold some fields and other property and followed the old sifu. After

three years the old sifu taught him Kou Pu Toi (九步推), Sip Pat Mo Kjauw (十八摩橋), Mang Fu Tjoe

Lin ( 猛虎出林) and other forms. He did not only learn martial art, but also meditation techniques like

"Dharma Internal Strenght (更精達摩内功打坐法)", escape techniques (遁術易數) and Dit Da expertise

(跌打專科). Cheung Lai Chun then became the first man to introduce the Pak Mei style into South China. Cheung Lai Chun not only excelled in

kungfu but also in Chinese herbal medicine, bone setting and such, meditation, making the body impervious to pain. When Cheung Lai Chuntravelled with his sifu Chuk Fat Wan he also learned Buddhism, beside the Pak Mei style. They were monks and travelled from temple to temple.

1911 Wong War Shun uprise (黃花崗起 Huanghuagang Park uprise)

In early 1911 after studing 3 years of Pak Mei with Chuk Fat Wan Cheung Lau Chun returned to hismother in WaiChow village. Not long after his arrival in WaiChow he (re)joined the Tong Mang

Wui (Tongmenghui 中國同盟會 United Allegiance Society). This society was formely know as the

Hing Zung Wui. On April 27, 1911 (March 29, Lunar year Xinhai), this society led by Dr. Sun Yat-

Sen, Ziu Seng (趙聲 Zhao Sheng) as the commanding officer and Wong Hing (黄興 Huang Xing

a.k.a. Eight Fingered General) as his vice-commander started the uprise. With around 500 volunteersCheung Lai Chun took part of the Wong War Shun uprise (a.k.a. "3.29" Guangzhou Uprise). Therevolutionaries were soon outnumbered as they desperately fought the Qing Army in the streets. Thisunsuccessful uprise ended up in disastrous failure and costed 72 men their life on the Wong War Hill(Yellow Flowers Hill). After this uprise Cheung Lai Chun returned again to his hometownWaiChow. This bloody unsuccesfull uprise must have marked him in his attitude to combat andtraining.

1912 Kong Mun Town (新會江門)

Cheung Lai Chun left for Kong Mun Town (江門市 Jiangmen) in the San Wui ((新會 Xin Hui) District where he assisted a Detective and Choy

Li Fut master by the name of Leoi Can (雷燦 Lei Can) in investigating salt smugglers. In a confrontation with the smugglers Cheung lai Chun

broke the arm of the leader so that he could be arrested. After this Cheung Lai Chun was asked to teach there. Soon after he started teaching he



was challenged by a kungfu master with the name Chan Sau (陳壽 Chen Shou). Cheung Lai Chun won the battle, which increased his fame.

Later on, due to some trouble after a fight, he was forced to leave Kong Mun Town. After Kong Mun Town he went to Toishan (台山縣廣海城)

on the southwest of Kong Mun Town and taught there for two years before he finally left for Guangzhou.

1921-1922 Tigers of the East River (東江二虎)

When Cheung Lai Chun left for Guangzhou in 1920’s he left with his good friend Lam Yiu Quai (son of Lam Qing Yuan) to seek a new future

there. Although Lam Yiu Quai learned most of his father and grandfather Lam Ching Chun (林鏡泉 Lin Jing Quan), he also trained at the school

of Lam Haap (his fathers older classmate). Lam Yiu Quai became famous in Guangzhou when he in 1925 defeated a Russian nationalityheavyweight world boxing champion. It was a tough fight and Lam Yiu Quai at last defeated the Russian with a technique called “turn body pull

hammer” (轉身扳槌). This very strong same background in boxing has made that their eventually own styles (Pak Mei and Dragon Sign Style)

share many similarities and are called “sister styles”. They (Cheung Lai Chun and Lam Yiu Quai) were in the region of Tung Kong known as the

best boxers of that time and were called the “two tigers of east river” (Tung Gong Ji Fu 東江二虎).

Three tigers of East River (Tung Gong Sam Fu 東江三虎)

In some stories they were called with Lau Sing Co (劉誠初 Liu Cheng Chu) a.k.a Lau Sui 劉水 (master of Chu Ga Tong Long ) the “three tigers

of east river” (Tung Gong Sam Fu 東江三虎). But in other stories Mok Ga (莫家) master Lam Jan Tong (林廕堂) was mentioned as the third

Tiger, also because he came from the East River area and was an exponent in kungfu.

Cheung Lai Chun (張禮泉) Lam Yiu Quai (林耀桂) Lau Sui (劉水) Lam Jan Tong (林廕堂)

First Pak Mei school

In Guangzhou Cheung Lai Chun sets up his firsts school in Pak Mei Boxing. The first school he sets up is the `Dai Tung Wui Mo Gun` (大同會武' Datong Kuai Wuguan). And the Lai Cuyn Gwok Soei Se (勵存國術社 Li Cun Guoshushe) at Guangzhou "Four Shops" (廣州的四間店舖). This school was original located at Guangzhou "Sui Jut"((廣州水月(). Through the years the amount of schools would grow up to 18

schools in Guangzhou. Some under his personal attention and some let by senior apprentices. In old China it was common for a master to bechallenged by other martial artist. This could be just to see who was the best of the two or to put a master out of business by beating him. In the

first half of the 1920’s a famous Cai Li Fo (蔡李佛拳) and Black Dragon Chi Kung (青龍內氣功) master by the name of Zang Wai Bok (曾惠博 Zeng Huibo 1906-1958) challenged and won of many masters in Guangzhou. This was called "Kicking the Hall" (踢'). One day on his way



Sun Yuk Fung 孫玉峰

Wong Siu Haap's 黃嘯俠 sifu

(see below)

home after visiting his mother the young Zang Wai Bok (at that time aged 19) passed the school of Cheung Lai Chun. And a match was set up

between the two because Zang Wai Bok wanted to see who of the two was the Brave Tiger Guangdong (廣東猛虎). Guangzhou was then

shocked that Cheung Lai Chun was able to win of this young powerfull champion. After his loss Zang Wai Bok became one of the firstapprentice of Cheung Lai Chun.

Not long after this Ha Ho Hung (夏漢雄 Xia Hanxiong 1892-1962), Zang Wai Bok Cai Li Fo brother, also joined the school of Cheung Lai

Chun. Due to his enormous combat experience Zang Wai Bok and Ha Ho Hung accompanied Cheung Lai Chun in many battles. In this periodCheung Lai Chun frequently had fights with challengers in his schools. A total of 11 fights of challengers who came to his school were all won

by Cheung Lai Chun. This supposably gave him the alias Guangdong Fierce Tiger (廣東猛虎). In Guangzhou he became famous for his skill in

Pak Mei. Many famous men and masters came to study from him.

In the north there is Sun Yuk Fung, in the south there is Cheung Lai Chun

In the ‘20 and ‘30 in Guangzhou there was a saying which said ' In the north there is Sun Yuk Fung, in the

south there is Cheung Lai Chun (南有張禮泉，北有孫玉峰). Sun Yuk Fung (孫玉峰 Sun Yufeng) was a

very famous successor in Lo Hon Boxing (羅漢門宗師 Luo Hanmen Zongshi) from Lin Wo Jing County

Hebei province (原籍河北省景縣蓮窩鎮人). In the 1920’s (up to 1945) Sun Yuk Fung taught in the Ching

Wu (精武體育會) in Guangzhou. He had several masters like Baqua master Chang Chan Kuei (張占魁Zhang Zhankui), nickname Big Saber Chang 大刀張, who taught him his saber skills. And the monkmaster

Yuan Tung Sim (元通禪 Yuan Tongchan) who taught him Luo Han boxing. Both masters also had other

nicknames: Cheung Lai Chun was knows as “Seven provinces Boxing Champion” (七省拳王美譽) and

Sun Yuk Fung knows as “Seven Provinces King of Sword” (七省刀王) and “Five Provinces Champion”

(五省拳王).

1924-1928 Whampoa Military Academy (黃埔軍校)

Because of this outstanding accomplishments in martial arts he was also asked to teach at Guangzhou

Police Training School (廣州警察教練所), the Yin Tong Military Academy (燕堂軍校 Jantang Junxiao) and the Whampoa Military Academy

(黃埔軍校 Huangpu Junxiao). The Whampoa Military Academy was established on June 16 1924 under the Kuomintang (中國國民黨) by

General Chiang Kai Shek (蔣介石 Jiang Jieshi). The inauguration was on Chengzhou Island offshore from the Whampoa dock in Guangzhou

and so got it’s name. The military academy Assistant Director Li Zai Sam (Li Jishen 李濟深), who established the “Guangdong and Guangxi

Martial School (两廣國術館), knew Cheung Lai Chun very well and invited Cheung Lai Chun to teach there. Cheung Lai Chun taught there

until the Academy moved to Nanjing 1928. Cheung Lai Chun was many times assisted in teaching by his senior students as Lee Sai Keung (李世強) and Ng Jiu (吳耀). At Whampoa Military Academy Cheung Lai Chun created several bayonet techniques. His famous techniques

“encouraging stabbing rifle technique” (勵剌槍術) and the big swordtechnique (大刀術) were taught to the infantry that used these techniques in

the Sino-Japanese war (1937-1945). At the Military Academy many officers became students of Cheung Lai Chun like General Liu Chun Jat (廖俊一 Liao Junyi) and General Wai Chan Fuk (韋鎮福 Wei Zhenfu). One of these officers who became his apprentice was a Lieutenant-General



Cheung Lai Chun demonstrating Gou Pu Toi

Got Siu Wong (葛肇煌 Ge Zhaohuang), he was ordered in the late 1940’s to create “the intelligence and secret service” for the Nationalist

Kuomintang Army in southern China.

1929 Guangdong and Guangxi Martial School (两廣國術館)

In March 1929 the Guangdong Province Government President Li Zai Sam (李濟深 Li

Jishen) established the “Guangdong and Guangxi Martial School" (两廣國術館 Liang

Guang Guoshu Wuguan) in East Guangzhou to promote Chinese martial arts. In march 1929the school had attracted 10 famous and masters of high quality. A selection was made of 5Southern masters and 5 Northern masters. Among the masters that taught southern styleswere Cheung Lai Chun, Lam Yue Quai, Lam Jam Tong, Lai Seng Gei and Wong Siu Hap.Because of their exceptional in Southern Styles the were called "the 5 Southern Tiger

Generals (南方五虎将)" (origin: Guangzhou Daily).

In 1928 First National Tournament was held in Nanjing. The majority of the 333 contestantswere practisoners of the Northern styles. Among masters who made a very good impressing

were Gang Dak Hoi (耿得海 Geng Dehai) who won the weapons competitions with a sword,

Maan Laai Sing (萬籟聲 Wan Laisheng) for his fierce fighting and Ku Yu Cheong (顧汝章Gu Ruzhang) who was one of the 15 winning Champions. in 1929 these 3 masters wereinvited to teach Northern Styles at the Guangdong and Guangxi Martial School. The other 2

masters who were invited were Wong Siu Zau (王少舟 Wang Shaozhou) and Fu Zhen Song

(傅振嵩 Fu Zhensong) the last would also become the head teacher of the school. They were

also known as the "Five Tigers going South“ (五虎下江南).

The 5 southern tiger generals (南方五虎将) of the Guangdong and Guangxi Martial School

Cheung Lai Chun 張禮權 (1882-1964) Pak Mei Pai 白眉派

Lam Yiu Quai 林耀桂 (1874-1966) Lung Ying 龍形拳

Lam Jan Tong林廕堂 (1876-1966)

Mok Ga 莫家拳

Wong Siu Hap黄)侠 (1900-1981)

Lo Hon Boxing 囉漢拳

Lai Seng Gei*成己 (1888-1955)

Old Hung Boxing 老洪拳

The 5 Northern Masters (北五虎) of the Guangdong and Guangxi Martial School



Fu ZHen Song 傅振嵩 (1881-1953)

BaGua Zhang 八卦掌

Ku Yu Cheong 顧汝章 (1894-1962)

North Shaolin 北少林拳

Maan Laai Sing 萬籟聲 (1903-1992)

ZiRan Men 自然門拳

Gang Dak Hoi耿德海 (1907-1970) Monkey Style 大聖劈

掛

Wong Siu Zau 王少周 (1892-1984)

Cha Fist +拳

The school very quickly had 20 classes up to 500 students. Because of the political change the school was closed in two months. An internal

strife in the Kuomintang was lost by Li Zai Sam (李濟深 Li Jishen) of Chan Zai Tong (Chen Jitang (陳濟棠) Guangdong's political leader and

Li Zai Sam was imprisoned. Although the school was open for a short time it played a great role in the developement of the Guangdong martialarts. And in the development of the styles of the masters, because they compared notes and exchanges techniques and information with eachother.

1929 Guangzhou Chinese Martial Society (廣州國術社)

After the unfortunate closing of the Guangdong and Guangxi Martial School there was need for a new institute. In June 1929 “Guangzhou

Chinese Martial Society (廣州國術社 Guangzhou GuoWuShe)” was established, the majority of masters like Cheung Lai Chun and students of

the “Guangdong and Guangxi Martial School” participated in this new school. The members raised quickly up to over 300 students.

1935 Guangdong Province Boxing Competition Referee

In the period of 1935 to 1937 he lives regulary again in his home village Wai Chow Peach Garden (桃子园). The Peach Garden is situated in Sui

Tung East Road old Wai Chow. (在橋東水東東路居住的老惠州). In 1937 at the start of the Sino-Japanese War he leaves his home village

again.

In February 1935 the Guangdong Province held its first boxing competition in East Guangzhou. The referees were Cheung Lai Chun, Lam Jam

Tong and Fong Juk Syu (方玉書 Fang Yushu, famous 3th gen Choi Li Fut master). Participants in the competition were among others Fu Zan

Sung (傅振嵩 Fu Zhensong) a Baat Gwa (八卦掌) master, Wong Siu Haap 黄)侠 and Wu Wan Coek (胡運綽 Hu Yunchuo) a Choi Li Fut (蔡李佛拳) master from Foshan (廣東佛山).

1937-1945 Second Sino-Japanese War (第二次中日,争/第二次中日戰爭)

In 1937 when the Second Sino-Japanese War broke out Cheung Lai Chunjoined the guerilla forces in his native area of the East Rivers (Tung Kong

東江). There he was most welcome due to his experience in martial arts



and military combat training, which he had taught at the WhampoaMilitary Academy. For the next years to the end of the War he was activein training and participating in the guerilla force of Lieutenant Colonel

Leung Gwai Ping ( 梁季平 Liang Jiping) born Bolo County (博囉-) near

Wai Chow. Between 1938 to 1942 the guerilla force was able to conquerand defend Wai Chow three times on the Japanese army. Unfortenatly the4th battle of Wai Chow was lost to the Japanese. In this period Cheung LaiChun did not have many students. One of the persons he did teach in this

war-period was Chan Tai San (陳泰山 Chen Daishan). Later Chan Tai

Chan would reach fame as a master in Lama Pai (喇嘛派).

1945-1948 Tung Kong Sports Club (東江體育會)

Lieutenant Colonel Leung Gwai Ping (梁季平 Liang Jiping) was very active in giving education and sports. In 1945 after the Sino-Japanese War

he opened the Tung Kong Sports Club (東江體育會) in Wai Chow's Zhongshan Park side (中山公園側). At this Sports Club you could

practised Dragon Boat, Lion Dance and Martial Arts. Cheung Lai Chun was asked by Leung Gwai Ping to teach Pak Mei there to his countrymen at the Tung Kong Sports Club.

1945-1949 Instructor of the Secret Agents (廣東省諜報組的)

After the Second World War China was political unstable and had the period of the Civil War. One of Cheung Lai

Chun's apprentice of the Whampoa Military Academy was a Lieutenant-General Got Siu Wong (葛肇煌 Ge

Zhaohuang). Got Siu Wong was ordered by General Chiang Kai Shek in the late 1940's to create “the intelligence andsecret service” for the Nationalist Kuomintang Army in Southern China. On Got Siu Wong's invitation Cheung Lai

Chun became the instructor of the Secret Agents Department in the Guangdong province (廣東省諜報組的). Got Siu

Wong created his Secret Service by merging the existing secret societies and triads (三合會) in Guangzhou region to

form into his own secret society with the name the ‘Hong Fa Shan the Loyalist party ‘(洪發山忠義堂) shorted in

Hong Fa Shan. This had been done before the 1920’s by Chiang Kai Shek in Shanghai (上海) who used the triad

Green Gang (青幫) of triad leader Tu Yueh Sheng (杜月笙 Du Yuesheng 1881-1951) to solve some problems. On

April 12, 1927 the Green Gang helpt the Nationalist Army in a crackdown on the local Communist party organizers

and labour activists. Got Siu Wong his headquarters in Guangzhou was on 14, Baohua Road (寶華路 Po Wah road).

After loss in the civil war in 1949 his secret society moved to Hong Kong and got more known with it's a.k.a. name

"14K Triad (十四K)”. In the past many 14K members had because of this history some sort of link with Pak Mei as a

student of Cheung Lai Chun or as a master in Pak Mei.

1949-1964 Pak Mei to Hong Kong



Got Siu Wong

(葛肇煌)

In 1949, after the fall of the Guangzhou, Cheung Lai Chun migrated to Hongkong. He was accompanied by 3 (of his

6) children; Cheung Bing Sum (son #1 1923-1968 張炳森), Cheung Ping Lam (son #2 張炳林) and Cheung Bing Fat

(son #3 1937-1989 張炳發). These 3 sons all studied Pak Mei under their father. His 4th son Cheung Bing Keung (張炳祥 Zhang Bingxiang) who was to young to train in Pak Mei stayed in his home village in China. Also the majority to the 5th generation

masters followed their master. In Hongkong Cheung Lai Cheung opend a pharmacy with the name Bo Wo Tong (保和堂 Bao Hetang). Although

he was retired he still admitted some students to learn Pak Mei of him. Most of these students are already sifu's of other styles or had studiedother styles before. One very famous sifu of Li Ga style in Sah Tou Kok Area, New Territories, invited Cheung Lai Chun to teach him and hisvillage men. Cheung Lai Chun was highly respected for his knowledge in Li Ga because he had been a disciple from Li Ga master Li Yi. In thesetimes Pak Mei Pai was not well known because Cheung Lai Chun didn't let his disciples enter competitions or let them give demonstrations.

During his live Cheung Lai Chun passed on his martial creed (ethics) like "study kungfu to defend yourself, not deceiving people is heroic" (學習功夫能守己，英雄半點不欺人). And that the true meaning of martial arts is to win populairity by kindness.

In 1961 Cheung Lai Chun still had no gray hairs and when he seldom demonstrated his kung fu all were astonished by his high standard. He keptsmoking severely and he smoked more than 40 cigarettes a day. In the Autumn 1964 Cheung Lai Chun got sick and passed away.

Cheung Lai Chun Grave 張禮泉之墓

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