List of The Deer and the Cauldron characters
The following is a list of characters from Jin Yong's novel The Deer and the Cauldron. Some of these characters previously appeared in another novel Sword Stained with Royal Blood.
Wei Xiaobao and his family
- Wei Chunfang (韋春芳) is Wei Xiaobao's mother. She is a prostitute from the Lichun Brothel (麗春院) in Yangzhou.
- Wei Xiaobao's seven wives:
- Su Quan (蘇荃) was previously Hong Antong's wife. She decides to follow Wei after the Mystic Dragon Cult is destroyed in its internal conflict. She is the most powerful in martial arts among the seven.
- Fang Yi (方怡) is Liu Dahong's disciple. She was captured by the Mystic Dragon Cult and forced to lure Wei into traps. She is the most intelligent of the seven.
- Princess Jianning (建寧公主) is a younger sister of the Kangxi Emperor. It turns out that she is not related to the emperor because her biological mother is Mao Dongzhu, who has been impersonating the empress dowager. She is very demanding and fierce.
- Zeng Rou (曾柔) was from the Wangwu Sect. She tries to assassinate Wei but ends up falling in love with him. In contrast with Jianning, she is the most polite and cultured among the seven.
- Mu Jianping (沐劍屏) is Mu Jiansheng's younger sister. She was captured by the Mystic Dragon Cult and forced to join the cult. She is the most naive of the seven.
- Shuang'er (雙兒) was a servant of the Zhuang family in Huzhou. The matriarch tells her to follow Wei and serve him, as an expression of her gratitude to Wei for avenging their family. She becomes Wei's bodyguard. Among the seven, she is the one who understands Wei the most.
- A'ke (阿珂) is the daughter of Li Zicheng and Chen Yuanyuan. She has a crush on Zheng Keshuang previously but leaves him after he reveals his true colours. She is Wei's most beautiful wife.
- Wei Xiaobao's three children:
- Wei Hutou (韋虎頭) is Wei's first son, born to A'ke. His name literally means "tiger head".
- Wei Tongchui (韋銅錘) is Wei's second son, born to Su Quan. His name literally means "bronze hammer".
- Wei Shuangshuang (韋雙雙) is Wei's daughter, born to Princess Jianning. Originally named "Bandeng" (板凳), which means "wooden bench", her name was changed to "Shuangshuang" (means "double double") on Su Quan's suggestion.
Qing Dynasty
- The Kangxi Emperor (康熙皇帝) is the ruler of the Qing Empire. He forges a close friendship with Wei Xiaobao in their childhood. He was first known to Wei Xiaobao as "Xiaoxuanzi" (小玄子).
- The Empress Dowager (太后) is the empress of the Kangxi Emperor's late father, the Shunzhi Emperor. She serves as a stepmother to the young Kangxi Emperor. She was immobilised and imprisoned in a wardrobe in her room by Mao Dongzhu, who has been impersonating her for several years. She is freed by Wei Xiaobao after Mao Dongzhu flees when her cover is blown. Some readers believe her to be the historical Empress Xiaohuizhang even though there are no references to her in the novel other than "empress dowager".
- The Four Regents (四大顧命大臣) help the Kangxi Emperor govern the empire when he was still a child. The emperor later took over the reins of power when he came to of age. The four are:
- Oboi (鳌拜) is a cruel and power-hungry aristocrat. He is ousted from power by the Kangxi Emperor with Wei Xiaobao's help and thrown into prison. He is killed by Wei Xiaobao eventually.
- Suksaha (蘇克薩哈) was framed and executed on Oboi.
- Sonin (索尼)
- Ebilun (遏必隆)
- Nobles, court officials and bureaucrats:
- Prince Kang (康親王) is a noble who befriends Wei Xiaobao.
- Songgotu (索額圖) is Sonin's son. He befriends Wei Xiaobao.
- Misihan (米思翰) is a Minister of Revenue.
- Li Lei (李雷) is a Minister of Revenue.
- Yisang'a (伊桑阿) is a Minister of Personnel.
- Batai (巴泰) is a Minister of Rites.
- Mingzhu (明珠) is a Minister of War.
- Moluo (莫洛) is a Minister of Justice.
- Chakedan (察克旦) is Suksaha's son.
- Weizhouzuo (衛周祚)
- Duikana (對喀納)
- Du Lide (杜立德)
- Tuhai (圖海)
- Zhe'erken (折爾肯)
- Daerli (達爾禮)
- Li Wei (李蔚)
- Ledehong (勒德洪)
- Feng Pu (馮溥)
- Wang Xi (王熙)
- Huang Ji (黃機)
- Wu Zhengzhi (吳正治)
- Zong Dexuan (宗德宜)
- Lin Guiding (林桂鼎)
- Tong Tulai (佟圖賴)
- Tong Guogang (佟國綱)
- Mu Tianyan (慕天顏)
- Wei Zhao (韋皋)
- Le'erjin (勒爾錦)
- Yang Guangxian (楊光先)
- A'erni (阿爾尼)
- Ma Qi (馬齊)
- Lu Yifeng (盧一峰) is the magistrate of Jing County (靖縣).
- Wu Zhirong (吳之榮) is the governor of Yangzhou. He played a key role in the massacre of the Zhuang family of Huzhou many years ago (See The Deer and the Cauldron#Literary inquisition). Shuang'er recognises him and begs Wei Xiaobao to help her avenge her family. Wei then frames him for being in cahoots with Wu Sangui's rebels and has him arrested and sent to Huzhou, where he is killed in revenge by the widows of the Zhuang family.
- Ma You (馬佑)
- Cao Shenji (曹申吉) is the governor of Guizhou.
- Military personnel:
- Duolong (多隆) is an imperial guard commander and close friend of Wei Xiaobao. Wei reluctantly killed him to save the Heaven and Earth Society's members, who were trapped by imperial forces. It turns out later that he survived after being stabbed by Wei, and does not know who tried to kill him.
- Shi Lang (施琅) was a subject of the Kingdom of Tungning who defected to the Qing Empire. Through Wei Xiaobao's recommendation, he is promoted to higher ranks for his expertise in naval warfare. He is appointed as admiral of the naval fleet during the Qing campaign against Tungning.
- Li Benshen (李本深) is a general in Guizhou.
- Sabusu (薩布素) is a general in Heilongjiang.
- Suotu (額圖)
- Zhang Kangnian (張康年)
- Zhao Qixian (趙齊賢)
- Shi Laoliu (施老六)
- Xiong Lao'er (熊老二)
- Zhao Liangdong (趙良棟)
- Zhang Yong (張勇)
- Pengchun (朋春)
- Langtan (郎坦)
- Rui Dong (瑞棟) is an imperial guard nicknamed "Undefeated Iron Palm" (鐵掌無敵). Mao Dongzhu sends him to kill Wei Xiaobao but Wei outsmarts him and kills him instead.
- Shi Song (史松) is a military officer nicknamed "Black Dragon Whip" (黑龍鞭). He leads his men to arrest Mao Shiba at the start of the novel. Wei Xiaobao stabs him from behind and kills him.
- Chaerzhu (察爾珠)
- Ge Tong (葛通)
- Fuchun (富春)
- Hechabo (和察博)
- Ejichi (阿濟赤)
- Major General Peng (彭參將)
- Hong Chao (洪朝)
- Lieutenant General Lu (路副將)
- Lieutenant General Ban (班副將)
- Commander Tai (泰都統)
- Lin Xingzhu (林興珠)
- Huang Fu (黃甫)
- Jiang Baisheng (江百勝)
- Bahai (巴海)
- Mala (馬喇)
- Palace eunuchs and servants:
- Hai Dafu (海大富) is an old eunuch who kidnaps Wei Xiaobao and brings him into the palace. He previously served the Shunzhi Emperor and was secretly tasked with investigating the death of Shunzhi's favourite concubine, Consort Donggo. He is killed by Mao Dongzhu in a fight after discovering that she murdered Consort Donggo.
- Xiaoguizi (小桂子) is a young eunuch and Hai Dafu's apprentice. Wei Xiaobao kills him and impersonates him.
- Pingwei (平威)
- Lao Wu (老吳)
- Eunuch Wu (烏公公)
- Wen Youdao (溫有道)
- Wen Youfang (溫有方)
- Ruichu (蕊初) is the empress dowager's personal handmaiden.
- Dong Jinkui (董金魁) is a eunuch who serves as the empress dowager's messenger. He is killed by Wei Xiaobao.
Heaven and Earth Society (天地會)
- Chen Jinnan (陳近南) is the society's leader and a subject of the Kingdom of Tungning. He accepts Wei Xiaobao as a student and teaches him martial arts. He is killed by Zheng Keshuang.
- Qingmu Lodge (青木堂):
- Lodge Master Yin (尹香主) was the previous master of the lodge, who was killed by Oboi. He is succeeded by Wei Xiaobao.
- Qi Qingbiao (祁清彪) is nicknamed "Qi the Third" (祁老三).
- Cui Xiazi (崔瞎子)
- Guan Anji (關安基) is nicknamed "Master Guan" (關夫子).
- Jia Jindao (賈金刀) is Jia Laoliu's sister and Guan Anji's wife.
- Xu Tianchuan (徐天川), nicknamed "Eight Armed Ape" (八臂猿猴), is a contact person for the society.
- Li Lishi (李力世)
- Taoist Xuanzhen (玄貞道人)
- Gao Yanchao (高彥超)
- Qian Laoben (錢老本)
- Fan Gang (樊鋼)
- Honghua Lodge (宏化堂):
- Li Shikai (李式開) is the lodge master.
- Wu Dapeng (吳大鵬) is nicknamed "Cloud Touching Hand" (摩雲手).
- Wang Tan (王潭) is nicknamed "Mountain Splitting Twin Brushes" (雙筆開山).
- Shu Hualong (舒化龍)
- Chihuo Lodge (赤火堂):
- Gu Zhizhong (古至中) is the lodge master.
- Kuang Tianxiong (鄺天雄)
- Others:
- Wu Liuqi (吳六奇), nicknamed "Iron Beggar" (鐵丐), is a military officer in Guangdong and member of the Beggars' Sect. He is killed by Gui Erniang and Gui Zhong in a misunderstanding.
- Wu Baoyu (吳寶宇) is Wu Liuqi's son.
- Cai Dezhong (蔡德忠) is the master of Lianhua Lodge (蓮花堂).
- Fang Dahong (方大洪) is the master of Hongshun Lodge (洪順堂).
- Ma Chaoxing (馬超興) is the master of Jiahou Lodge (家後堂).
- Lin Yongchao (林永超) is the master of Xuanbing Lodge (玄水堂).
- Yao Bida (姚必達) is the master of Huangtu Lodge (黃土堂).
- Jia Laoliu (賈老六)
- Ma Boren (馬博仁)
- Lei Yixiao (雷一嘯)
- Feng Jizhong (風際中) is a spy in the society planted by the Kangxi Emperor. He reports the society's activities to the emperor, including Wei Xiaobao's identity as one of its lodge masters. He is killed by Shuang'er, who shoots him with a pistol.
Kingdom of Tungning of Taiwan (台灣鄭氏王朝)
- Koxinga (國姓爺), also known as Zheng Chenggong (郑成功), was the kingdom's founder. He wrestled control of Taiwan from its Dutch colonial rulers and planned to use the island as a base of operations to seize the Chinese mainland from the Manchus.
- Zheng Keshuang (鄭克塽) is a grandson of Koxinga and the incompetent and spoiled heir to the kingdom. A'ke previously had a crush on him but decides to leave him after he reveals his true colours. He surrenders to the Qing Empire after the Battle of Penghu.
- The "Five Tiger Generals" (五虎將) are five military commanders who served under Koxinga. They are:
- Feng Xifan (馮錫範), nicknamed "One Sword Thrust That Draws No Blood" (一劍無血) for his formidable swordplay skill, is a member of the Kunlun Sect and Zheng Keshuang's tutor.
- Zhou Quanbin (周全斌)
- Gan Hui (甘輝)
- Ma Xin (馬信)
- Liu Guoxuan (劉國軒)
- Feng Xifan's household:
- Jufang (菊芳) is Feng's concubine.
- Lanxiang (蘭香) is Feng's servant.
- Xing Si (邢四) is Feng's stable keeper.
Ming Dynasty associates
- Jiunan (九難) is a nun who was previously Princess Changping (長平公主) of the Ming Dynasty. She steals the baby A'ke from her mother Chen Yuanyuan and raises A'ke. She intends to use A'ke to help her kill Wu Sangui to avenge her fallen dynasty. She meets Wei Xiaobao and agrees to accept him as her martial arts student.
- A'qi (阿琪) is one of Jiunan's disciples. She marries the Mongol prince Galdan.
- Li Zicheng (李自成), nicknamed "Dashing King" (闖王), was the leader of the rebel forces that overthrew the Ming Dynasty. He was defeated by the Qing Empire and his short-lived Shun Dynasty was conquered. He went into hiding in Yunnan after that.
- Chen Yuanyuan (陳圓圓) was previously Wu Sangui's concubine. She is the mother of A'ke.
- Tao Hongying (陶红英) was a palace maid who served Princess Changping. She continues to work in the palace during the Qing Dynasty. She was ordered by her teacher to steal the Sutra of Forty-two Chapters.
- Li Xihua (李西華) is the son of Li Zicheng's former subordinate Li Yan (李岩). He attempts to kill Li Zicheng to avenge his father, whose death was due to the former.
Prince Mu Residence (沐王府)
- Mu Jiansheng (沐劍聲) is a descendant of Mu Ying and heir to a princedom in Yunnan. He remains loyal to the fallen Ming Dynasty and leads his followers to resist the Qing Empire. He is Mu Jianping's older brother.
- Liu Dahong (柳大洪) is nicknamed "Iron Backed Dragon" (鐵背蒼龍).
- Wu Lishen (吳立身) is nicknamed "Head Shaking Lion" (搖頭獅子).
- Ao Biao (敖彪) is Wu Lishen's student.
- Liu Yizhou (劉一舟) is a cowardly traitor.
- Su Gang (蘇岡) is nicknamed "Sacred Hand Resident" (圣手居士). He is Bai Hanfeng's sworn brother.
- Bai Hansong (白寒松) is Bai Hanfeng's older brother. He was killed by Xu Tianchuan.
- Bai Hanfeng (白寒楓) is Bai Hansong's younger brother. He accuses the Heaven and Earth Society for murdering his brother.
Mystic Dragon Cult (神龍教)
- Hong Antong (洪安通) is the cult's leader. He is killed during the cult's internal conflict.
- Mao Dongzhu (毛東珠) is Mao Wenlong's daughter. She is sent by the cult to infiltrate the palace and impersonate the empress dowager. She taught the Kangxi Emperor martial arts when the latter was still a boy. She flees from the palace when her cover is blown by Wei Xiaobao. She is eventually killed by the Gui family.
- Liu Yan (柳燕) is Mao Dongzhu's junior who disguises herself as a palace maid. She is killed by Fang Yi.
- Deng Bingchun (鄧炳春) is killed by Wei Xiaobao.
- Fat Monk (胖頭陀) is the cult's "Fat Venerable" (胖尊者). He was once fat but gradually shrunk in size and becomes thin after being poisoned by Hong Antong. He is slain by Hong during the cult's internal conflict.
- Thin Monk (瘦頭陀) is the cult's "Thin Venerable" (瘦尊者). He was once thin but gradually becomes fat after being poisoned by Hong Antong. He is killed by the Gui family while trying to save his lover Mao Dongzhu.
- Lu Gaoxuan (陸高軒)
- Zhang Danyue (張淡月)
- Taoist Wugen (無根道人)
- Zhong Zhiling (鍾志靈)
- Duan Jin (殷錦)
- Xu Yunting (許雪亭)
- Yun Sumei (雲素梅)
- Zhang Laosan (章老三)
Wu Sangui and associates
- Wu Sangui (吴三桂) was previously a general of the Ming Dynasty. When he heard that his concubine Chen Yuanyuan had been seized by Li Zicheng, he is overwhelmed by anger and decides to defect to the Manchus. He opens Shanhai Pass and allows them to overrun the rest of China and drive away Li Zicheng's forces. After the Qing Dynasty is established he is conferred the title of "Prince Who Pacifies the West" (平西王) and given a fiefdom in Yunnan. He stages a rebellion against the Qing Empire later (see Revolt of the Three Feudatories).
- Wu Yingxiong (吳應熊) is Wu Sangui's son. The Kangxi Emperor arranges for a marriage between Wu Yingxiong and Princess Jianning in a bid to strengthen ties with Wu Sangui. Wei Xiaobao is appointed imperial commissioner by the emperor to escort the princess to Yunnan and oversee the wedding. However Jianning refuses to marry Wu Yingxiong and cuts his genitals and accuses him of molesting her. He is later sent to the capital as a hostage to ensure his father's loyalty to the Qing Empire. He is executed when his father starts a rebellion.
- Chancellor Xiang (夏國相) is the chancellor of Wu Sangui's fiefdom and Wu's son-in-law. He is conned by Wei Xiaobao into releasing the assassin who made an attempt on Wu Sangui's life.
- Ma Dou (馬寶)
- Master Lang (郎武師)
- Qi Yuankai (齊元凱)
- Yang Yizhi (楊溢之)
- Zhang Guogui (張國桂)
- Zhu Guozhi (朱國治)
- Gan Wenkun (甘文焜)
- Wang Jindou (王進寶)
- Sun Sike (孫思克)
- Balangxing (巴朗星)
Russian Empire
- Sophia (蘇菲亞) is a half sister of Peter I. She becomes regent of Russia with Wei Xiaobao's help.
- Peter I (彼得一世) was the Tsar of Russia.
- Ivan (伊凡) is a half brother of Peter I and co-ruler of Russia.
- Natalia (娜達麗亞) is the dowager tsarina of Russia. She was killed by the army that defected to Sophia.
- (Alexei) Tolbuzin (圖爾布青) is a Russian general. He argues with Wei Xiaobao about the border between the Qing Empire and Russia.
- Ya'erqingsiji (亞爾青斯基) is the commander of the Russian forces stationed in Albazino and Nerchinsk.
- Sophia's bodyguards:
- Huabosiji (華伯斯基)
- Qiluonuofu (齊洛諾夫)
Miscellaneous characters
- The Shunzhi Emperor (順治皇帝) was the former ruler of the Qing Empire and the Kangxi Emperor's father. He disappeared from the palace after his favourite concubine Consort Donggo died and is presumed dead. It is revealed later that he has become a monk in Qingliang Temple (清涼寺) on Mount Wutai and has changed his name to Xingchi (行癡). He is temporarily reunited with his son with Wei Xiaobao's help, but decides to permanently retire from worldly affairs and continue being a monk. He gives some brief advice to his son on governing the empire.
- Xingdian (行顛) is Xingchi's junior. He possesses immense strength and once protected Xingchi from enemies with his life.
- Shaolin Sect (少林派):
- Reverend Huicong (晦聰大師) is the abbot of Shaolin.
- Chengguang (澄光) is the abbot of Qingliang Temple (清涼寺) on Mount Wutai. He is also one of the "Eighteen Arhats" of Shaolin.
- Chengshi (澄識) is the head of Shaolin's Discipline Hall.
- Chengguan (澄觀) is the head of Shaolin's Prajna Hall.
- Chengxin (澄心)
- Chengtong (澄通)
- Fasheng (法勝)
- Jingji (淨濟)
- Jingqing (淨清)
- Jingben (淨本)
- Jingyuan (淨源)
- Wudang Sect (武當派):
- Taoist Yunyan (雲雁道人)
- Taoist Yunhe (雲鶴道人)
- Wangwu Sect (王屋派):
- Yuan Yifang (元義方)
- Situ Bolei (司徒伯雷) is the sect's leader. He was a former subordinate of Wu Sangui.
- Situ He (司徒鶴) is Situ Bolei's son.
- Mongols:
- Galdan (葛爾丹) is a Mongol prince who allies with Wu Sangui during the rebellion staged by the latter. He initially blames Wei Xiaobao for the failure of the revolt but is later deceived by Wei into believing that Wu Sangui betrayed him. He becomes sworn brothers with Wei. He marries A'qi later.
- Hantiemo (罕帖摩) is a Mongol envoy to the Qing Empire.
- Tibetans:
- Bayan (巴顏)
- Tengluotuo (勝羅陀)
- Dahe'er (達和爾)
- Sangye (桑結)
- Hubayin (呼巴音)
- Mao Shiba (茅十八) is a jianghu pugilist and outlaw. He brings Wei Xiaobao to Beijing, where both of them are kidnapped by Hai Dafu and brought into the palace. He escapes later and is saved by members of the Heaven and Earth Society. He meets Wei again later when the latter joins the society. He accuses Wei of being a race traitor when the latter is forced to help the Kangxi Emperor persecute the society. He is captured and sentenced to death but Wei saves him by making him switch places with Feng Xifan.
- Gui family:
- Gui Xinshu (歸辛樹), nicknamed "Undefeated Divine Fists" (神拳無敵), is a member of the Mount Hua Sect. He is killed together with his family by imperial guards.
- Gui Erniang (歸二娘) is Gui Xinshu's wife.
- Gui Zhong (歸鐘) is Gui Xinshu and Gui Erniang's son. He first appeared in Sword Stained with Royal Blood as a sickly infant.
- He Tieshou (何鐵手) is a character from Sword Stained with Royal Blood. She saved the female members of the Zhuang family from exile and taught them martial arts.
- The Third Young Mistress (莊三少奶) is the matriarch of the Zhuang family and a student of He Tieshou. She leads the family after its male members were all massacred by Oboi. She is grateful to Wei Xiaobao for helping them take their revenge, and she tells Shuang'er to accompany him.
- Hu Yizhi (胡逸之), nicknamed "Hundred Victorious Saber King" (百勝刀王) and "Handsome Saber King" (美刀王), is a martial artist who specialises in saber techniques.
- Zha Yihuang (查伊璜), also known as Zha Jizuo (查繼佐), is the ancestor of the novel's writer Jin Yong (real name Zha Liangyong).
- Ma Boren (馬博仁) is the leader of the Tantui Sect (潭腿門).
- Lei Yixiao (雷一嘯) is nicknamed "Tiger Faced Hegemon King" (虎面霸王).
- Wu Tong (武通), nicknamed "Golden Spear King" (金槍王), is the leader of the Wusheng Escort Agency (武勝鏢局).
- Shenzhao Shangren (神照上人)
- Song San (宋三) is nicknamed "Swift Horse" (快馬).
- Yu Ba (于八) is nicknamed "One Stroke Less" (少一劃).
- Xinxi (心溪) is the abbot of Foguang Temple (佛光寺) on Mount Wutai.
- Yao Chun (姚春) is a physician.
- Huangfu Ge (皇甫閣)
- He Sheng (何盛)
- Tang Ruowang (湯若望)
- Nan Huairen (南懷仁) is a Belgian who visits China.
- Gu Yanwu (顧炎武)
- Huang Zongxi (黄宗羲)
- Lü Liuliang (呂留良)
See also
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