Wu Youde | Bridging the Past and the Future 1908-1980

     Wu Youde, the second son of Wu Shanlin and the great-uncle of Wu Nanfang, was another devoted inheritor of the Gu Lun Fist tradition, meticulously trained by Wu Shanlin in his later years. In 1976, Wu Youde was invited by the Xin'an County Police Team to teach Gu Lun Fist at the county's Public Security Bureau (the portrait of Wu Youde was drawn and gifted by the Xin'an County Team at that time).

     In Wu Shanlin's later years, many disciples and students were taught by Wu Youde on behalf of his master. Wu Youde instructed numerous students, including Wu Musheng, Wu Gensheng, Qiao Heibao, and Zhang Qinghe (Xingxing).

     When Wu Nanfang was young, Wu Youde personally guided him in his training, explaining the essentials of the fist techniques and practical methods. By the age of eighteen, Wu Nanfang had mastered many fist and weapon routines of Gu Lun Fist and could fluently recite the principles of the techniques, laying a solid foundation for his future practice and setting a correct direction for his progress.

     One night in 1975, nearly seventy-year-old Wu Youde was returning to Yangshumiao Village after handling some matters. As he turned a corner, two knife-wielding robbers suddenly appeared.

     One demanded that Wu Youde hand over his money and belongings while the other stepped forward and swung his knife. Wu Youde remained calm, lifted his left foot, and swiftly twisted his body. His right foot struck the outside of the robber’s right knee, while his right hand chopped at the robber’s wrist, and his left palm hit the robber’s neck, causing him to drop the knife and fall. Wu Youde then twisted his body and jumped forward, using his body momentum to strike the other robber, who immediately fell backward.

     Wu Nanfang explained, “This maneuver employs the transformation methods of the Tengnuo Ba in Xin Yi Ba, specifically the Beheading and Tiger Pounce techniques of Gu Lun Fist. In practical application, intention guides the qi, qi moves the body, the body leads the steps, and the steps drive the hands. In a high state of integration of mind, body, and qi, the eyes act with perceptiveness, the heart with courage, bringing qi, body, and force into one unified action to strike the opponent’s weak points instantly, incapacitating them with coordinated hand techniques.”