Tubiweng (simplified: 秃笔翁, traditional: 秃筆翁, pinyin: Tūbǐwēng, jyutping: tuk1 bat1 jung1) was one of the Four Friends of Jiangnan and a master of calligraphy. He was a former member of the Sun Moon Order who, along with his three companions, guarded Ren Woxing at Plum Manor in Hangzhou. His name means “Bald Brush Old Man,” referring to his expertise in calligraphy.
Biography
Early life and Sun Moon Order
Tubiweng was originally a member of the Sun Moon Order during Ren Woxing’s leadership. He and his three companions—Huangzhonggong, Heibaizi, and Danqingsheng—joined the order with the intention of doing good deeds and making a name for themselves in the jianghu.
However, they became disillusioned with Ren Woxing’s leadership, finding him too temperamental and autocratic. When Dongfang Bubai took over as leader, the situation worsened, as Dongfang Bubai favoured sycophants and eliminated old members of the order.
Life at Plum Manor
The four friends requested the assignment of guarding Ren Woxing at Plum Manor in Hangzhou, far from the order’s headquarters at Blackwood Cliff. This allowed them to distance themselves from the order’s internal politics and enjoy a peaceful life by West Lake, pursuing their interests in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
For twelve years, Tubiweng and his companions lived a quiet life, with Tubiweng focusing on his calligraphy and martial arts practice.
Meeting Linghu Chong
When Linghu Chong came to Plum Manor with Xiang Wentian and Ren Yingying, Tubiweng challenged Linghu Chong to a duel using his Stone Drum Acupoint-Striking Brush Technique. However, Linghu Chong was able to defeat him using the Dugu Nine Swords technique.
Later years
After Ren Woxing was freed and regained control of the Sun Moon Order, Tubiweng and his companions were faced with the choice of returning to Blackwood Cliff or facing the consequences. Like Huangzhonggong, Tubiweng chose to commit suicide rather than submit to Ren Woxing’s authority again.
Personality & traits
Tubiweng was portrayed as a refined scholar-warrior who valued peace and artistic pursuits over power and conflict. He was described as being skilled in calligraphy and having a calm, contemplative nature.
His decision to commit suicide rather than return to the Sun Moon Order demonstrated his commitment to his principles and his unwillingness to compromise his values, similar to Huangzhonggong.
Martial arts abilities
Stone Drum Acupoint-Striking Brush Technique
Tubiweng’s signature technique was the Stone Drum Acupoint-Striking Brush Technique (石鼓打穴笔法), a unique martial art that combined calligraphy with acupoint-striking techniques. The technique used a judge’s brush (判官笔) as a weapon, allowing Tubiweng to strike acupoints while creating beautiful calligraphic strokes.
The technique was based on the calligraphy styles found on the Stone Drum Inscriptions (石鼓文), ancient Chinese inscriptions that were considered masterpieces of calligraphy. Tubiweng’s martial arts movements mimicked the brush strokes used in these inscriptions, creating a technique that was both beautiful and deadly.
Relationships
Tubiweng’s relationship with his three companions—Huangzhonggong, Heibaizi, and Danqingsheng—was one of mutual respect and shared values. They worked together as the Four Friends of Jiangnan, each specialising in a different art form.
His relationship with Ren Woxing was complex. He had originally joined the Sun Moon Order to serve under Ren Woxing, but became disillusioned with his leadership style. When Ren Woxing was freed and demanded their return, Tubiweng chose death rather than submission.
Behind the scenes
Tubiweng represents the ideal of the scholar-warrior who values peace and artistic pursuits over power and conflict. His character demonstrates that not all martial artists are driven by ambition and that some prefer a life of quiet contemplation.
Literary significance
Tubiweng’s character serves to contrast the jianghu’s power struggles with the peaceful life of artistic pursuit. His decision to commit suicide rather than return to the Sun Moon Order demonstrates the importance of personal principles and the cost of maintaining one’s values in a world driven by power and ambition.
Portrayals
Tubiweng has been portrayed in various adaptations of Laughing in the Wind:
Laughing in the Wind
See also
- Laughing in the Wind characters
- Four Friends of Jiangnan — Tubiweng’s faction
- Huangzhonggong — Tubiweng’s companion
- Heibaizi — Tubiweng’s companion
- Danqingsheng — Tubiweng’s companion
- Ren Woxing — The prisoner Tubiweng guarded
External links
- Tubiweng (Chinese) on Chinese Wikipedia