Cangmang Asks the Way 1: Guardian of the Lamp

In the southern part of the city, just as dawn was breaking, rustling sounds could be heard from the rows of low sheds next to the construction site. Old Li poured hot water into a chipped enamel mug while rubbing his aching back and muttering, "This damn weather, the dampness seeps into my bones."

Xiao Zhang, who was deftly tying up his bedding in the next bunk, grinned when he heard this: "Uncle Li, practice a couple of rounds of 'Grasping the Sparrow's Tail' with the boss later, I guarantee you'll feel great all over."

Outside the workers' shed, dozens of men had spontaneously formed a loose circle. In the center of the circle, Cang Lifeng, shirtless, had his bronze back gleaming in the morning light. His movements were slow and gentle, like grinding grain, yet each move carried a heavy, powerful force—the very essence of the neutralizing energy technique from the "Thirteen Postures of Tai Chi" taught by Master Chen Jiren.

"This strength isn't about brute force, but about going with it and letting it guide you. When working, it's about getting your waist and stance in sync, saving energy and preventing injury; and when trouble comes, it can protect you." Cang Lifeng finished speaking the last word, then stopped his stance, his breathing steady.

He looked around at the group of workers gathered around him and continued, "Just knowing how to 'dissolve' isn't enough. When things really come to a head, we also need to have the ability to 'release' our strength. Once we've mastered the technique, we need to know where to apply it and how to apply it effectively and precisely."

As he spoke, he pointed to a row of sandbags made from discarded woven bags, coarse burlap, and fine sand from the construction site in the corner of the shed. The sandbags varied in size and hung on a sturdy wooden frame that had been temporarily erected, swaying slightly in the draft.

"Next, we'll hit the sandbag. But not just randomly." Cang Lifeng walked to a medium-sized sandbag, assumed a Tai Chi starting stance, and said, "Use the 'unity of waist and stance' and 'power originating from the ground' techniques you just practiced. Don't swing your arms; imagine your fist is just a hammer, and the power comes from pushing up from your feet, twisting through your waist and hips, and finally reaching your fist."

He demonstrated a punch. The movement seemed slow, even possessing the smoothness of Tai Chi, but the moment his fist touched the sandbag, it produced a solid, muffled "bang," and the sandbag swung backward violently, causing the wooden frame at the hook to creak under the weight. Even more peculiar was that although the sandbag swung with a large amplitude, its return speed was slower than expected, as if it was momentarily hindered by a viscous force.

"See? What we need is this 'penetrating' force, not just sending the sandbag flying." Cang Lifeng withdrew his fist, and the sandbag slowly swung back. He pressed down with one hand, easily dissipating the force of the swing.

"Using Tai Chi techniques to hit a sandbag trains the ability to generate powerful force over short distances, and you must be able to immediately return to defense after hitting it, without losing your stance."

The workers were eager to try it out. Bricklayer Xiao Zhang was the first to step forward, mimicking Cang Lifeng's stance, taking a deep breath, and throwing a punch. "Thud!" The sound was crisp, the sandbag wobbled, but it clearly lacked that deep, resonant force.

"The power is broken." Cang Lifeng stepped forward and placed his palm on Xiao Zhang's lower back. "When you threw your fist, your waist and hips didn't follow up, and the power dissipated in your shoulder. Next time, try to use your waist and hips to 'flick' your fist out."

Old Li also approached a sandbag. He was strong, but he was used to using brute force. He punched the sandbag several times, making it shake violently. He was also knocked back half a step by the recoil and was panting heavily.

"Uncle Li, if you keep hitting like that, you'll run out of strength after ten punches, and you'll easily hurt your wrists." Cang Lifeng steadied the swaying sandbag. "Don't fight against the sandbag. Like Tai Chi push hands, feel its force and hit in rhythm with its swing. When it comes back, meet it head-on and use its force to add another punch. Give it a try."

The open space in front of the workers' shed gradually became lively. Exhalations of "Hey!" and "Ha!" mingled with the muffled thuds of fists hitting sandbags. At first, there were mostly crackling sounds and chaotic shaking, but gradually, some of the more perceptive workers began to get the hang of it.

Xiao Zhang threw another punch. This time, he slightly turned his waist and hips, channeling the power through his back. The sound of his fist hitting the sandbag became deeper, and the trajectory of the sandbag swinging backward appeared more "complete." He showed a look of joy. Before the sandbag had fully swung back, he nimbly changed his footwork, already using a variation of the "Cloud Hands" move from the Thirteen Postures of Tai Chi, and threw another punch from another angle, the transition quite smooth.

Old Li stopped trying to fight head-on. Being older, he adopted a firm stance, watched the sandbag swing back, exhaled loudly, and threw a punch—the very essence of "Banlan Chui" (a powerful punch). This punch sent the sandbag flying high backward, but Old Li himself remained firmly in place, only his feet slightly twisting on the muddy ground to absorb the recoil.

Cang Lifeng moved among the crowd, occasionally offering pointers: "Keep your wrists straight, don't bend them!" "Inhale through your nose, exhale through your mouth, exert force as you exhale!" "Keep your steps in place, don't freeze in one spot!" "Yes, that's the feeling, treat the sandbag like an unyielding wall, use your whole body to 'press' it down!"

As the sun rose higher, dust danced in the beams of light. The salty smell of sweat, heavy breathing, the muffled thuds of punches landing, and the occasional growl or laugh of someone grasping a trick—all these elements combined to create a unique and vibrant scene in this corner of the construction site. This was no longer just simple physical training; it was a combination of ancient wisdom and the most practical needs for survival, forging muscles and bones while also uniting hearts and minds.

This scene, captured by reporter Lin Wei's pen and camera, has already spread throughout the southern part of the city. The name "Heroic Foreman Cang Lifeng" has become increasingly well-known, and the construction site has become a legendary place in the hearts of many citizens. Occasionally, curious people will peek from afar, while the bolder ones will directly join the group of workers in practicing.

Lin Wei herself became a regular here. Her reports were published one after another, including "The Silent Backbone" and "Sweat and Tears Behind the High-Rise Buildings"... Her writing was calm, yet every word struck a chord with people. Old Li's sighs of worry about his daughter's tuition fees, Xiao Zhang's scornful blind date because of his "migrant worker" status, the contractor's layers of deductions, and the heartwarming smiles of the workers when they received their full wages—she recorded them all in detail.

In every story, Cang Lifeng is a central figure. He is no longer the symbolic hero of the bank robbery, but a flesh-and-blood foreman who would risk his life for his fellow workers, a man who stood tall in the mire of the working class. His image has taken root in the hearts of the citizens of Nancheng, attracting a different kind of attention.

That evening, Lin Wei and Cang Lifeng walked side by side on the noisy street next to the construction site. The air was filled with the smell of cooking fumes and dust.

"Now I understand what you meant by 'digging the well next door'," Lin Wei said softly, gazing at the lights of countless homes gradually illuminating the distance. "You were using your method to set rules for them."

Cang Lifeng looked at the bustling traffic before him, his eyes calm: "Rules? Not really. Just letting everyone catch their breath, to live like human beings." He paused, then turned to look at her, "But you, Reporter Lin, your article is the real well. It lets outsiders see what's down there."

This was the first time he had so solemnly affirmed her work. Lin Wei felt a warmth in her heart. The afterglow of the setting sun fell on his profile, clearly illuminating the lines etched by time and hardship, but also making the determination in his eyes even more piercing.

"You're calling me Reporter Lin again," she suddenly curved her lips into a smile, her tone softening without her even realizing it. "Didn't we agree last time? Call me Lin Wei."

Cang Lifeng paused almost imperceptibly, his Adam's apple bobbing as he let out a soft "hmm," his ears burning slightly. Lin Wei, seeing his unusual awkwardness, couldn't help but chuckle softly. A subtle, warm atmosphere quietly flowed between them.

The two continued walking slowly along the bustling street. Lin Wei turned to look at him and asked the question that had been lingering in her mind for a long time: "Lifeng, you're a 'heroic foreman' now, and your fellow workers respect you. What about the future? Are you just going to keep leading your brothers, working on one construction site after another?"

Cang Lifeng slowed his pace slightly, gazing at the outlines of buildings rising from the ground in the distance. After a moment of silence, he spoke:

"Back in Xiqiao Village, I thought that as long as I had strength and fists, I could protect my home and stand up for myself. Later, when I came to Nancheng, my fists were strong, but when I saw my brothers worrying about a few dollars in wages... I slowly realized that in this world, just having fists can't protect the people you want to protect, nor can it bring you true security."

He pulled an old book with curled corners and a worn cover from his work clothes pocket and handed it to Lin Wei. It was the book "Introduction to Economics".

"Now I glance at it whenever I have a spare moment, but unfortunately I haven't read enough, so there are some parts I don't quite understand. I just have to grit my teeth and try to understand it." He chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Now I realize that money isn't everything. But without it, everything is difficult. It can build a house for my family, so they can live in peace; it can solve people's living expenses, so they can live comfortably... Money can't buy sincerity, but it can buy peace of mind, hope, and the happiness of a family gathered together without worrying about tomorrow."

He paused, his voice lower, tinged with a barely perceptible regret: "Back in school, the teachers told us to study more, but I always thought that might makes right. So, when I heard on the radio that the Nancheng Martial Arts School was recruiting, I went to study there before even finishing junior high. Now... I regret not having studied enough."

Lin Wei took the rough, old book, her fingertips tracing the marks of repeated readings, a strong tremor rising within her. She had expected him to talk about plans to "expand the team" or "take on more projects," but she never imagined that this man, who had toiled in the dust and sweat, had thought on a level beyond simple survival, touching upon the essence of "happiness" and "responsibility," and so clearly recognizing his own limitations, beginning the most clumsy yet most sincere attempt to catch up.

"Lifeng," she looked up, her eyes sparkling with surprise and admiration, "it's truly remarkable that you could think this way! It takes even more courage and wisdom than rescuing someone in a bank."

She thought for a moment, then continued, "Since you want to learn, you can't just rely on studying books on your own. That's too difficult. Systematic learning is very important. You need a renowned teacher to guide you. I think Professor Shen Moyuan would be very suitable. He is a highly respected scholar at Nancheng University and is also your great-grandfather's disciple. He is indebted to your great-grandfather and has always hoped to have the opportunity to help you. Why not ask him for help?"

"But he's a scholar of cultural relics!" Cang Lifeng asked doubtfully.

Lin Wei rolled her eyes at him and said, "He may not be able to teach you economics, but he can introduce you to someone else! He's a renowned professor at Nanjing University. Who would dare refuse his offer to introduce you as an auditor? Besides, you're a hero!"

Cang Lifeng abruptly stopped, turned to look at Lin Wei, and asked incredulously, "Me, a migrant worker who didn't even finish junior high school, able to attend university classes? Is this really true?"

"Of course it's true." Lin Wei looked at him with a smile.

"Then... what do we do next?" Cang Lifeng asked blankly.

"Of course, I'm going to visit Professor Shen," Lin Wei said with a smile. Looking at Cang Lifeng's adorable silly appearance, she felt a surge of urge to protect this man.

Just then, the pager on Cang Lifeng's waist rang sharply. He looked down and saw the number of the convenience store in the workers' shed area displayed on the screen.

He felt a sudden tightness in his chest and quickly walked to a public phone booth by the roadside to call back.

"Lifeng, something's happened!" came the low, panicked voice of bricklayer Xiao Zhang from the receiver. "'Fourth Master' has brought a lot of people and is blocking the entrance to our work shed. He says our man soiled his woman's skirt at the noodle shop yesterday, and he's demanding five thousand. Uncle Li tried to reason with them, and... he got slapped. Now it's a stalemate, and they've got weapons..."

Cang Lifeng's eyes instantly turned cold, and he quickly said, "Keep watch, don't engage in a direct confrontation, I'll be there soon."

He hung up the phone, the slight relaxation he had felt while talking to Lin Wei vanished abruptly, replaced by a sharp, pent-up aura. He turned to Lin Wei and said in a deep voice, "There's some trouble at the work shed; I need to get back quickly."

"I'll go with you. I'm a reporter, my presence might be helpful," Lin Wei quickly said.

Cang Lifeng gave her a deep look, nodded heavily, and said, "Alright."