 Kuo Lien Ying's father was a silk merchant, and the family was independently wealthy.As a youngster, Kuo reportedly had no interest in an academic education, wanting only to learn the fighting arts.In 1907, at the age of 12, Kuo started training in Northern Style Shaolin Kung-Fu, studying for five years with Master Li Lin, who was especially skilled in Chang Chuan (Long Fist).