In Jin Yong's novels, there is a very legendary figure whose name is Zhang Sanfeng. He followed his master to practice the magic of Jiuyang, and then spent seven days and seven nights in a cave, learning the tricks of martial arts. Later, he founded Wu Tangmen and became a great martial artist. Later, when he was one hundred years old, he also wrote Tai Ji Chuan. So is there really a Zhang Sanfeng in history?

Zhang Sanfeng is recorded in the history books. In the history of the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Sanfeng, formerly known as Zhang, was named Zhang Sanfeng. After Zhang Sanfeng got it, he began to travel. He saw three peaks connected together in Baoji, so he named himself Sanfeng, and later he gradually became Sanfeng. As for his native place, Ming recorded that he was from Liaodong, and other places recorded that he was from Shaanxi or Shanxi. In other records, his name is also many. So Zhang Sanfeng is a very mysterious figure.

Zhang Sanfeng is a real person in history. Zhang Sanfeng Biography in the Ming Dynasty said that he was from Yizhou, Liaodong. In his early years, if nothing else, he talked about Zhang Sanfeng's behavior after he became famous. According to legend, Zhang Sanfeng, regardless of the severe cold and heat, is just a rag to keep out the wind and cold, and an old hemp fiber is covered with frost and rain. Zhang Sanfeng doesn't pay much attention to appearance and hygiene, and often wears untidy clothes. People often call him a "slovenly Taoist priest".

Zhang Sanfeng's physical appearance is recorded in history: "Tall and powerful, with turtle-shaped crane back, big ears and round eyes, he will be as tall as a halberd." This is similar to that described in The Condor Heroes. Zhang Sanfeng eats a lot, so it's not a problem to eat a liter or a bucket of rice at once, but sometimes a meal can last for days or even months. His other hobby is traveling around the world, and he often has no fixed abode. It is said that he can walk thousands of miles a day.

So how old did Zhang Sanfeng live?

According to the records in Ming History, Ji Fang Ci, Volume 187, and The Origin and Interpretation of Taiji Genealogy in Ancient and Modern Times, Zhang Sanfeng should have died tomorrow in the second year of Shun, about 1458. The life span of Zhang Sanfeng should be about 2 12 years old. This is also a recognized figure at present. Of course, there are also some records about Zhang Sanfeng, the most recent of which was in Daoguang period of Qing Dynasty. But this is just a legend, there is no actual evidence. Many people believe that Zhang Sanfeng has been living in the world, because he has transcended life and death.

Although there is no specific record of how old Zhang Sanfeng lived in history, what is certain is that Zhang Sanfeng is definitely an old man over 100 years old. Such an age may seem outrageous to us, but it is not unusual for Taoism, which is abstinent and good at keeping in good health.