Here's some info on the Mishou (secret hands) for Yu Shan and those who might be interested.
In one of the Liang Xuexiang Quanpu, dated 1852 CE, titled "Keshi Youyong" which Ilya Profatilov translated as "On Making It Possible to have Combat Courage", there is a introduction translated also by Shifu Profatilov as follow:
In the pass Master Wang Lang created such forms as " Eight Elbows" (Fenshen Bazhou), "Chaotically Connected" (Luanjie), and "Secret Hands" (Mishou). Futhermore, he discoursed on the theories of emptiness and fullness (Kung Shi) and softness and hardness (Gang Rou). His perfefection was without bound.
In the following chapters, there is a list called San Tang Chui Jiu Shi Jiao (Three Halls Fists 90 Moves) otherwise known as Mishou 90 hands. There was no mentioning of Zhaiyao but it is believe that these 90 hands are the elements that made up the current Zhaiyao 1-6 sections. The 7th section is believed to be Liang Xuexiang and/or Jiang Hualong's Digongquan (ground fighting) material.
Recently, Su Yuchang released a list of Mishou which is a bit of a controversey. Also Sun De (Cui Shoushan's lineage) released a form which he labeled as Mishou on VCD. Both material are still under research.
This goes to show that different methodologies are at work here. One being that Mishou is a collection of short strikes and they are not linked as forms. There is also a believe that Mishou is in fact a forms such as longfist.
There is however an explanation between the 90 hands and the Zhaiyao 1-6. It is a rather long explanation so I won't do it right now unless there is an interest.
I provide a few translations on Su Yuchang's list:
1) Hidng the Flower, Lt and Rt Hidding the Flower under the foliage.
2) Cuochui, Lt and Rt double Unmatched punch
3)Shangxiaquan, Lt and Rt high low roundhouse punch.
4)Butiao, Lt and Rt filling and raising punch
5) Shangquan, Lt and Rt high roundhouse
I believe you can see that this isn't that much of a "secret". That's where the controversey begins. Personally, I think there is an unclear understanding among the mantis community of Liang Xuexiang's original teaching. His methodology in the hands of many accomplished MAists, who sought after his Tanglang, became all different. This is one of the reason why we need to seriously look at the relationship between these key materials in the Quan and the latter materials that are in other's Quanpu or the copies (hand copies) of them. Of course this can not be verified thoroughly unless someone, who knows what exactly are the 90 hands listed in Liang Xuexiang's Quanpu, is going to share that knowledge and insights.
Mantis108