Yuan Chengzhi

Yuan Chengzhi (simplified: 袁承志, traditional: 袁承志, pinyin: Yuán Chéngzhì, jyutping: jyun4 sing4 zi3) was the son of the wrongfully executed Ming general Yuan Chonghuan, whose name Chengzhi (承志) meant “to inherit his father’s will”. After training under Mu Renqing of the Huashan School and inheriting the martial arts legacy of Xia Xueyi the Golden Serpent Gentleman, Yuan became a formidable martial artist who participated in Li Zicheng’s rebellion against the Ming.

Biography

Early life and rescue

Yuan Chengzhi was the son of Yuan Chonghuan, a prominent Ming general who had successfully defended Ningyuan against Manchu invasion and defeated Nurhaci, the founder of the Later Jin. Despite his military achievements, Yuan Chonghuan was executed by the Chongzhen Emperor in 1630 after being falsely accused of colluding with the Manchus.

After his father’s wrongful execution, the seven-year-old Yuan Chengzhi was rescued by his father’s former subordinates, who had been loyal to General Yuan Chonghuan. These loyal followers, including Zhu Anguo, Ni Hao, Luo Daqian, and others, took the young boy under their care and began teaching him to read, write, and establish a foundation in martial arts, all with the goal of preparing him to avenge his father.

Training with Shanzong

As Yuan Chengzhi grew older, he was raised and trained by the members of Shanzong (山宗), a secret organisation formed by Yuan Chonghuan’s former subordinates. They taught him the basics of martial arts and prepared him for his future role. During this time, he learned the Subduing Tiger Palm (伏虎掌) from Cui Qiushan, who was a subordinate of Li Zicheng.

Training on Mount Hua

Through a series of fortuitous circumstances, Yuan Chengzhi was accepted as a disciple by Mu Renqing, the leader of the Huashan School, who was known as the “Divine Sword Immortal Ape” (神剑仙猿). Under Mu Renqing’s guidance, Yuan Chengzhi trained on Mount Hua, where he learned the orthodox martial arts of the Huashan School, including the Mixed Origin Skill (混元功) and various sword and palm techniques.

Whilst on Mount Hua, Yuan Chengzhi also met Musang Daozhang of the Iron Sword School, who taught him the Divine Movement Hundred Changes (神行百变), an exceptional lightness skill. Musang became a close friend and chess companion to Yuan Chengzhi.

More significantly, Yuan Chengzhi discovered the remains and martial arts manual of Xia Xueyi, known as the Golden Serpent Gentleman (金蛇郎君). By following the instructions left by Xia Xueyi—first burying his remains before opening the treasure box—Yuan Chengzhi avoided the traps set by the deceased master and inherited the Golden Serpent Sword (金蛇剑), Golden Serpent Cones (金蛇锥), and the Golden Serpent Manual (金蛇秘笈), which contained the Golden Serpent Swordplay and other techniques.

Through diligent study, Yuan Chengzhi mastered the techniques from three different sources: the orthodox Huashan School techniques from Mu Renqing, the Iron Sword School lightness skills from Musang, and the unorthodox Golden Serpent techniques from Xia Xueyi’s manual. This combination of orthodox and unorthodox techniques made him an exceptionally powerful martial artist.

Journey into the jianghu

After completing his training, Yuan Chengzhi descended from Mount Hua and entered the jianghu. He quickly demonstrated his martial prowess and sense of justice, helping those in need and opposing corrupt officials and bandits.

During his travels, Yuan Chengzhi met Xia Qingqing (also known as Wen Qingqing), who turned out to be the daughter of Xia Xueyi and Wen Yi. Despite initial misunderstandings when Xia Qingqing was disguised as a man, the two developed a deep romantic relationship.

Yuan Chengzhi’s reputation grew as he defeated various opponents and demonstrated his exceptional martial skills. He became known by the epithet “Golden Snake King” (金蛇王) due to his mastery of the Golden Serpent techniques.

Alliance with Li Zicheng

Yuan Chengzhi’s background and sense of justice led him to support Li Zicheng’s rebellion against the corrupt Ming government. With the support of heroes from seven provinces, Yuan Chengzhi was elected as the leader of the martial arts alliance (武林盟主).

He assisted Li Zicheng’s rebel forces in several key operations, including retrieving gold that had been stolen by the Wen family and sabotaging cannons intended for the Ming army. Yuan Chengzhi helped the rebel forces capture Beijing, the capital of the Ming dynasty.

Despite his hatred for the Chongzhen Emperor, who had executed his father, Yuan Chengzhi saved the emperor from a coup attempt by Prince Hui, demonstrating his commitment to justice over personal vengeance.

Disillusionment and exile

After Li Zicheng entered Beijing, Yuan Chengzhi witnessed the corruption and brutality of the rebel forces, which had begun to commit the same atrocities as the government they had opposed. His disillusionment deepened when his sworn brother Li Yan was unjustly executed by Li Zicheng.

Realising that he lacked the political acumen to change the situation and unwilling to participate in another corrupt regime, Yuan Chengzhi decided to leave China with his companions. Together with Xia Qingqing, He Tieshou, and other friends, he led an expedition to reclaim an island near Brunei (渤泥国) that had been colonised by the Dutch. After successfully driving out the colonisers, Yuan Chengzhi and his companions established a new life in exile, away from the chaos and corruption of mainland China.

Personality and character

Yuan Chengzhi was known for his integrity, sense of justice, and martial prowess. However, literary critics have noted that his character lacked the depth and charisma of some other Jin Yong protagonists, with his story sometimes overshadowed by those of his father Yuan Chonghuan and his posthumous master Xia Xueyi.

As a child, Yuan Chengzhi was brave, intelligent, and well-liked by those around him. However, as he matured, some critics observed that he became somewhat rigid and overly formal, sometimes appearing dull or overly cautious. Despite this, he remained a fundamentally good and righteous person who tried to do what was right in difficult circumstances.

Yuan Chengzhi’s relationship with Xia Qingqing was characterised by patience and understanding. He tolerated her jealousy and mood swings, showing great care and protection for her, which reflected his gentle and considerate nature.

Martial arts

Yuan Chengzhi was one of the most powerful martial artists of his time, having learned techniques from multiple sources:

Internal energy

Mixed Origin Skill (混元功) — The core internal energy technique of the Huashan School, which was unique in that it cultivated from external to internal, requiring personal instruction from the school leader. Once mastered, it provided exceptional power and versatility.

Lightness skills

Divine Movement Hundred Changes (神行百变) — Taught by Musang Daozhang of the Iron Sword School, this technique allowed for rapid position changes and exceptional agility.

Sword techniques

Golden Snake Swordplay (金蛇剑法) — The signature sword technique of the Golden Serpent School, which Yuan Chengzhi learned from Xia Xueyi’s manual. The technique was designed to be used with the unique Golden Snake Sword, whose forked tip could stab, hook, and lock enemy weapons.
Huashan Swordplay (华山剑法) — The orthodox sword techniques of the Huashan School.

Palm and fist techniques

Subduing Tiger Palm (伏虎掌) — A Huashan School palm technique with 108 forms, learned from Cui Qiushan.
Shattering Jade Fist (破玉拳) — A Huashan School fist technique.
Mixed Origin Palm (混元掌) — A palm technique based on the Mixed Origin Skill.
Golden Serpent Capturing Crane Fist (金蛇擒鹤拳) — A fist technique from the Golden Serpent Manual.

Weapons

Golden Snake Sword (金蛇剑) — The unique sword once belonging to Xia Xueyi, with a forked tip that could be used for stabbing, hooking, and locking enemy weapons.
Golden Snake Cone (金蛇锥) — Throwing weapons that complemented the Golden Serpent techniques.
Coin Darts (钱镖) — Small throwing weapons.

Relationships

Family

Yuan Chonghuan — Yuan Chengzhi’s father, a famous Ming general who was wrongfully executed. Yuan Chengzhi’s entire life was shaped by his desire to honour his father’s legacy.
Xia Qingqing — Yuan Chengzhi’s wife, the daughter of Xia Xueyi and Wen Yi. Their relationship began with misunderstandings but developed into a deep romantic bond.

Teachers

Mu Renqing — Yuan Chengzhi’s primary master, leader of the Huashan School, who accepted him as a disciple and taught him orthodox martial arts.
Musang Daozhang — A master of the Iron Sword School who taught Yuan Chengzhi lightness skills and became a close friend and chess companion.
Xia Xueyi — Although never met in person, Yuan Chengzhi inherited Xia Xueyi’s martial arts legacy through the Golden Serpent Manual, making him a posthumous disciple.

Disciple

He Tieshou — Originally the leader of the Five Poisons Order, He Tieshou later became Yuan Chengzhi’s disciple, taking the name He Tishou (何惕守) and joining the Huashan School.

Allies

Yuan Chengzhi had many allies in the jianghu, including members of Shanzong, various heroes from seven provinces who supported him as alliance leader, and companions who joined him in exile to Brunei.