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Yuan Guannan

Yuan Guannan

Yuan Guannan (simplified: 袁冠南, traditional: 袁冠南, Jyutping: jyun4 gun3 naam4, pinyin: Yuán Guànnán) was a wealthy young master skilled in capture and pressure point techniques, though his martial arts were mediocre. His name “Guannan” means “Crown of the South,” reflecting his noble heritage and southern origins.

Biography

Early life and tragic background

Yuan Guannan was the son of a hero Yuan who possessed one of the legendary Mandarin Duck Blades. According to jianghu legend, there was a pair of “Mandarin Duck Treasure Blades” that could make their wielder invincible under heaven. These blades were held by a hero surnamed Yuan and another surnamed Yang. When the emperor sought to obtain these blades, he captured both the Yuan and Yang families, forcing them to surrender their weapons. The Yang hero was the renowned Three Xiang hero Yang Bochong. Both heroes refused and died, but their wives were imprisoned.

The anti-Qing hero Xiao Banhe infiltrated the palace to assassinate the emperor and managed to rescue both women from prison. At the time, Yuan Guannan was three years old and Yang Zhonghui (later known as Xiao Zhonghui) was two years old. During their escape, Yuan Guannan was lost along the way. To avoid detection by the Qing court, Xiao Banhe grew a large beard and had the Yuan and Yang ladies pose as his wives. Since he was a eunuch, this temporary arrangement did not dishonourthe reputations of the two heroes.

Scholar disguise and first appearance

Yuan Guannan appeared dressed as a scholar and used his wit and intelligence to outmaneuver opponents. He successfully used deception to frighten away Zhuo Tianxiong and obtain the Mandarin Duck Blades, rescuing Xiao Zhonghui, Lin Yulong, and Ren Feiyan in the process. During the birthday celebration for Xiao Banhe, the incompetent but self-important Four Xias of Taiyue attempted to rob the Weixin Armed Escort transporting the Mandarin Duck Blades for the Qing court, but were defeated by the escort’s martial artists. They then tried to rob Lin Yulong, Ren Feiyan, and the scholar Yuan Guannan, but ended up being tricked by Yuan Guannan into giving away their remaining few taels of silver.

Learning the Wedded Blades Style

The four escaped to the Purple Bamboo Nunnery, where Zhuo Tianxiong pursued them. The couple Lin Yulong and Ren Feiyan taught Yuan Guannan and Xiao Zhonghui their powerful but flawed Wedded Blades Style. Despite learning only twelve moves of the incomplete technique, the two young people were able to defeat Zhuo Tianxiong and protect the Mandarin Duck Blades.

Through their shared battle experience, Yuan Guannan and Xiao Zhonghui developed mutual affection for each other. On Xiao Banhe’s birthday, various heroes and martial artists came to celebrate. Yuan Guannan presented the Mandarin Duck Blades, and Xiao Banhe, pleased by this gesture, arranged for his daughter Xiao Zhonghui to marry Yuan Guannan. Lin Yulong and Ren Feiyan taught the complete Wedded Blades Style to Yuan Guannan and Xiao Zhonghui.

Family reunion and revelation

During the celebration feast, Yuan Guannan was reunited with his mother, Madam Yuan, while Xiao Zhonghui discovered she was actually Yang Zhonghui, the daughter of the Three Xiang hero Yang Bochong. Xiao Zhonghui, heartbroken, ran out and was captured by Zhuo Tianxiong. Imperial troops surrounded Xiao’s mansion, and a fierce battle ensued. The heroes defeated the imperial troops, Yuan Guannan rescued Xiao Zhonghui, and the two joined forces again to wound Zhuo Tianxiong. Everyone retreated to Mount Zhongtiao.

On the mountain peak, Xiao Banhe revealed the truth: his real name was Xiao Yi, and he had entered the palace as a eunuch to avenge his father by attempting to assassinate the Qing emperor, but had never succeeded. Later, when the emperor sought to obtain the Mandarin Duck Treasure Blades and killed the heroes protecting them, capturing their wives and children, Xiao Yi took the opportunity to rescue the two ladies and their children. During their escape, Yuan Guannan was lost. To avoid detection by the Qing court, Xiao Yi pretended to be married to the Yuan and Yang ladies. Xiao Zhonghui should actually be called Yang Zhonghui, the daughter of the Three Xiang hero Yang Bochong.

The secret of the Mandarin Duck Blades

When Madam Yuan combined the two Mandarin Duck Blades, they revealed the secret that made them invincible—“The benevolent is invincible”. This was the great secret that made the Mandarin Duck Blades invincible.

Personality and traits

Intellectual and cunning

Yuan Guannan was characterized by his intellectual approach to problems and his ability to use deception effectively. His scholarly disguise allowed him to outmaneuver opponents through wit and intelligence rather than relying solely on martial prowess.

Loyalty to family

Yuan Guannan demonstrated strong loyalty to his family heritage and was determined to recover the Mandarin Duck Blades that belonged to his father. His commitment to his family’s legacy drove his actions throughout the story.

Courage and determination

Despite his scholarly appearance, Yuan Guannan possessed considerable courage and determination. He was willing to face dangerous opponents like Zhuo Tianxiong and to learn martial arts techniques to protect what was important to him.

Martial arts abilities

Wedded Blades Style

Yuan Guannan learned the Wedded Blades Style from Lin Yulong and Ren Feiyan, though he only mastered twelve moves of the incomplete technique. Despite this limitation, he was able to use these techniques effectively in combat against Zhuo Tianxiong.

Strategic combat approach

Yuan Guannan’s martial arts approach emphasized intelligence and strategy over brute force. His ability to analyze combat situations and adapt his techniques accordingly made him an effective fighter despite his limited training.

Deception and psychological warfare

Yuan Guannan’s greatest strength lay in his ability to use deception and psychological tactics to gain advantages over opponents. His successful bluff against Zhuo Tianxiong demonstrated his mastery of these unconventional combat methods.

Relationships

Family connections

Yuan Guannan maintained strong connections to his family heritage through his mother Madam Yuan and his father’s legacy. His determination to recover the Mandarin Duck Blades demonstrated his commitment to preserving his family’s honourand possessions.

Marriage to Xiao Zhonghui

Yuan Guannan’s relationship with Xiao Zhonghui developed from mutual affection during their shared battle experience to eventual marriage arranged by Xiao Banhe. Their partnership was strengthened by their shared mission to protect the Mandarin Duck Blades.

Teachers and mentors

Yuan Guannan learned martial arts from Lin Yulong and Ren Feiyan, who taught him the Wedded Blades Style. His relationship with these teachers was based on mutual respect and the shared goal of protecting the legendary weapons.

Behind the scenes

Character significance

Yuan Guannan represented the intellectual approach to martial arts, demonstrating that intelligence and cunning could be as effective as raw martial prowess. His character showed how scholarly training could be applied to combat situations and how deception could overcome superior martial skills.

Literary function

Yuan Guannan’s character provided a contrast to traditional martial artists by emphasizing intelligence over physical strength. His successful use of deception and psychological tactics highlighted the importance of strategy and wit in the martial arts world.

See also