List Of The Deer And The Cauldron Characters

The following is a list of characters from the novel ''The Deer and the Cauldron'' by Jin Yong. Some of these characters previously appeared in another novel ''Sword Stained with Royal Blood'', which is also written by Jin Yong. Some of these characters are based on historical figures, such as the Kangxi Emperor, Oboi, Wu Sangui, Chen Yuanyuan, Princess Changping, Zheng Keshuang, Feng Xifan, Galdan Boshugtu Khan, Sophia Alekseyevna, Desi Sangye Gyatso, and Wu Liuqi, as well as Zha Jizuo, a purported ancestor of Jin Yong (Zha Liangyong).

Wei Xiaobao and his family

* Wei Xiaobao () is the witty, sly and illiterate protagonist who was born in a brothel in Yangzhou during the Qing dynasty. He bumbles his way into the imperial palace and has a fateful encounter with the young Kangxi Emperor, with whom he develops a friendship. By sheer luck and wit, he makes a series of accomplishments that have an impact on significant historical events during the Kangxi Emperor's reign.
* Wei Chunfang () is Wei Xiaobao's mother and a prostitute from a brothel in Yangzhou.

The seven wives

In order of appearance in the novel:
* Mu Jianping () is Mu Jiansheng's younger sister and a descendant of Mu Ying. Due to a conflict between the Tiandihui and her family, she is taken hostage by the Tiandihui and placed under Wei Xiaobao's watch and eventually falls in love with him. She is later captured by the Mystic Dragon Cult and forced to join the cult. She is the second youngest and most naïve of the seven.
* Fang Yi () is Liu Dahong's apprentice and the most intelligent among the seven. She initially loved her senior, Liu Yizhou, who loved her as well. After a failed attempt to assassinate the Kangxi Emperor, she is wounded and forced to rely on Wei Xiaobao to protect her. Wei Xiaobao uses every opportunity to make advances on her and force her to promise to marry him if he saves Liu Yizhou from captivity. However, after seeing how adamant she is with her feelings for Liu Yizhou, Wei wavers between giving up on her and insisting that she fulfils her promise. Eventually, after learning that Wei is the leader of the Qingmu Lodge of the Heaven and Earth Society, as well as seeing how the jealous and cowardly Liu Yizhou betrayed Wei, she decides that she wants to be with Wei. She is captured by the Mystic Dragon Cult and forced to lure Wei into traps. Wei manages to save her with Su Quan's help.
* Shuang'er () is 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 by killing Oboi. She becomes Wei's bodyguard. Among the seven, she is the youngest and the most loyal to Wei.
* Su Quan () was the wife of Hong Antong, the leader of the Mystic Dragon Cult. She disguises herself as a prostitute to lure Wei Xiaobao into a trap in a brothel. However, she is unfamiliar with the ways of a brothel so Wei easily sees through her ruse. He tricks her into drinking drugged wine and she becomes unconscious. Wei Xiaobao then places her on the bed along with Fang Yi, Mu Jianping, Zeng Rou, Shuang'er, and Ah Ke; and randomly has sex with some of them. The next time she and Wei Xiaobao meet, her attitude is warmer, and it is later revealed that she is pregnant with his child. She decides to follow Wei after the Mystic Dragon Cult is destroyed in its internal conflict. She is the most powerful in martial arts and the oldest among the seven.
* Princess Jianning () 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; her father is the Thin Monk. Of the seven wives, she is the most violent, sadistic, and spoiled. She loves Wei Xiaobao because he is the only one who dares to stand up to her, and she likes to engage in BDSM activities with him. Although she is eventually sent by the Kangxi Emperor to marry Wu Yingxiong in a political marriage, she is determined to be with Wei Xiaobao. Before her wedding, she drugs Wei Xiaobao, strips him naked, whips him, and tries to use candles to burn his hair. He gives in to her seductive advances and sleeps with her that night. The next day, Wei gives her one of the pistols he received from Wu Sangui as a gift. Jianning tricks Wu Yingxiong into going into her room, points the pistol at him, and orders him to strip before castrating him. The marriage still proceeds as planned although Jianning continues to have an ongoing affair with Wei. She eventually reveals to Wei that she is pregnant with his child and they elope. The Kangxi Emperor tells Wei in a letter that he will accept Jianning's relationship with Wei.
* Zeng Rou () is 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.
* Ake () 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.

The three children

* Wei Hutou () is Wei's first son, born to Ake. His name literally means "tiger head".
* Wei Tongchui () is Wei's second son, born to Su Quan. His name literally means "bronze hammer".
* Wei Shuangshuang () is Wei's daughter, born to Princess Jianning. Originally named "Bandeng" (), which means "wooden bench", her name was changed to "Shuangshuang" ("doubles") on Su Quan's suggestion.

Qing Empire

* The Kangxi Emperor () 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" (), which is derived from his personal name "Xuanye" ().
* The Empress Dowager is the empress of the Kangxi Emperor's 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 until she is discovered and freed by Wei Xiaobao. Some readers believe that she is based on the historical Empress Xiaohuizhang, even though in the novel she is referred to simply as the "Empress Dowager".
* The Four Regents helped the Kangxi Emperor govern the empire when he was still a child. The emperor takes over the reins of power from them after he has grown up.
** Oboi () 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, where he is eventually killed by Wei.
** Suksaha () was framed and executed by Oboi.
** Sonin ()
** Ebilun ()
* Nobles, court ministers, officials and bureaucrats:
** Prince Kang () is a noble who befriends Wei Xiaobao.
** Songgotu () is Sonin's son. He befriends Wei Xiaobao.
** Misihan () is the Minister of Revenue.
** Li Lei () is the Minister of Revenue.
** Yisang'e () is the Minister of Personnel.
** Batai () is the Minister of Rites.
** Mingju () is the Minister of War.
** Moluo () is the Minister of Justice.
** Chakedan () is Suksaha's son.
** Wei Zhouzuo ()
** Duikana ()
** Du Lide ()
** Tuhai ()
** Zhe'erken ()
** Da'erli ()
** Li Wei ()
** Ledehong ()
** Feng Pu ()
** Wang Xi ()
** Huang Ji ()
** Wu Zhengzhi ()
** Zong Dexuan ()
** Lin Guiding ()
** Tong Tulai ()
** Tong Guogang ()
** Mu Tianyan ()
** Wei Gao ()
** Le'erjin ()
** Yang Guangxian ()
** A'erni ()
** Ma Qi ()
** Lu Yifeng () is the magistrate of Jing County.
** Wu Zhirong () is the governor of Yangzhou. He played a key role in the massacre of the Zhuang family of Huzhou many years ago. Shuang'er recognises him and begs Wei Xiaobao to help her avenge her family. Wei then frames him for collaborating with Wu Sangui and has him arrested and sent to Huzhou, where he is killed by the widows of the Zhuang family.
** Ma You ()
** Cao Shenji () is the governor of Guizhou.
* Military personnel:
** Duolong () is an imperial guard commander and a close friend of Wei Xiaobao. At one point, Wei reluctantly stabs him from behind in order to save the Tiandihui members who have been cornered by imperial forces. It turns out later that Duolong has survived and does not know that Wei had attempted to kill him earlier.
** Shi Lang () is a former admiral in the Kingdom of Tungning. He defects to the Qing Empire after Zheng Jing killed his family. Through Wei Xiaobao's recommendation, he is promoted to higher ranks for his expertise in naval warfare. He is appointed as an admiral of the naval fleet during the Qing campaign against Tungning.
** Li Benshen () is a general in Guizhou.
** Sabusu () is a general in Heilongjiang.
** Suotu ()
** Zhang Kangnian ()
** Zhao Qixian ()
** Shi Laoliu ()
** Xiong Lao'er ()
** Zhao Liangdong ()
** Zhang Yong ()
** Pengchun ()
** Langtan ()
** Ruidong () is an imperial guard nicknamed "Undefeated Iron Palm" (). Mao Dongzhu sends him to kill Wei Xiaobao but Wei outsmarts and kills him instead.
** Shi Song () is a military officer nicknamed "Black Dragon Whip" (). He leads his men to arrest Mao Shiba at the start of the novel. Wei Xiaobao stabs him from behind and kills him.
** Cha'erzhu ()
** Ge Tong ()
** Fuchun ()
** Hechabo ()
** Ejichi ()
** Major General Peng ()
** Hong Chao ()
** Lieutenant General Lu ()
** Lieutenant General Ban ()
** Commander Tai ()
** Lin Xingzhu ()
** Huang Fu ()
** Jiang Baisheng ()
** Bahai ()
** Mala ()
* Palace eunuchs and servants:
** Hai Dafu () 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 the Shunzhi Emperor's favourite concubine, Consort Donggo. He is killed by Mao Dongzhu in a fight after he discovers that she was the one who murdered Consort Donggo.
** Xiaoguizi () is a young eunuch and Hai Dafu's apprentice. Wei Xiaobao kills him and impersonates him.
** Pingwei ()
** Laowu ()
** Eunuch Wu ()
** Wen Youdao ()
** Wen Youfang ()
** Ruichu () is the empress dowager's personal handmaiden.
** Dong Jinkui () is a eunuch who serves as the empress dowager's messenger. He is killed by Wei Xiaobao.

Tiandihui (Heaven and Earth Society)

* Chen Jinnan () is the Tiandihui's leader and a subject of the Kingdom of Tungning. He accepts Wei Xiaobao as his apprentice and teaches him martial arts. He is killed by Zheng Keshuang. This character is based on the historical figure Chen Yonghua.
* Qingmu Lodge ():
** Lodge Master Yin () was the previous lodge master who was killed by Oboi. He is succeeded by Wei Xiaobao.
** Qi Qingbiao () is nicknamed "Qi the Third" ().
** Cui Xiazi ()
** Guan Anji () is nicknamed "Master Guan" ().
** Jia Jindao () is Jia Laoliu's sister and Guan Anji's wife.
** Xu Tianchuan (), nicknamed "Eight Armed Ape" (), serves as a spy for the Tiandihui.
** Li Lishi ()
** Taoist Xuanzhen ()
** Gao Yanchao ()
** Qian Laoben ()
** Fan Gang ()
** Feng Jizhong () is a spy planted in the Tiandihui by the Kangxi Emperor. He secretly reports their activities to the emperor, including Wei Xiaobao's identity as one of its lodge masters. After Chen Jinnan dies, he reveals his true identity to Wei Xiaobao and tries to persuade Wei to help the emperor destroy the Tiandihui, but Wei refuses. He is shot to death by Shuang'er.
* Honghua Lodge ():
** Li Shikai () is the lodge master.
** Wu Dapeng () is nicknamed "Cloud Touching Hand" ().
** Wang Tan () is nicknamed "Mountain Splitting Twin Brushes" ().
** Shu Hualong ()
* Chihuo Lodge ():
** Gu Zhizhong () is the lodge master.
** Kuang Tianxiong ()
* Others:
** Wu Liuqi (), nicknamed "Iron Beggar" (), is a military officer in Guangdong and also a member of the Beggars' Sect. He is killed by Gui Erniang and Gui Zhong in a misunderstanding.
** Wu Baoyu () is Wu Liuqi's son.
** Cai Dezhong () is the master of Lianhua Lodge ().
** Fang Dahong () is the master of Hongshun Lodge ().
** Ma Chaoxing () is the master of Jiahou Lodge ().
** Lin Yongchao () is the master of Xuanbing Lodge ().
** Yao Bida () is the master of Huangtu Lodge ().
** Jia Laoliu ()
** Ma Boren ()
** Lei Yixiao ()

Kingdom of Tungning

* Koxinga (), personal name Zheng Chenggong (), was a loyalist of the fallen Ming Empire. He wrestled control of Taiwan from the Dutch East India Company and founded the Kingdom of Tungning there. He planned to use Taiwan as a base of operations to seize back mainland China from the Manchu-led Qing Empire and restore the Ming Empire.
* Zheng Jing () is Zheng Chenggong's son and the ruler of the Kingdom of Tungning.
* Zheng Keshuang () is Zheng Jing's son and the heir to his father's throne. Ake 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. Although Zheng Keshuang is a young adult in the novel, the historical Zheng Keshuang was about 12 years old when Tungning was conquered by the Qing Empire.
* The "Five Tiger Generals" are five military commanders who served under Koxinga. They are:
** Feng Xifan (), nicknamed "One Sword Thrust That Draws No Blood" () for his formidable skill in swordplay, is a member of the Kunlun Sect and Zheng Keshuang's martial arts master.
** Zhou Quanbin ()
** Gan Hui ()
** Ma Xin ()
** Liu Guoxuan ()
* Feng Xifan's household:
** Jufang () is Feng's concubine.
** Lanxiang () is Feng's servant.
** Xing Si () is Feng's stable keeper.
* He You ()

Characters associated with the fallen Ming Empire

* Jiunan () is a Buddhist nun who is actually Princess Changping () of the fallen Ming Empire. She kidnapped the baby Ake from her mother Chen Yuanyuan and raised Ake, intending to use Ake to help her kill Wu Sangui, who helped the Manchus conquer the Ming Empire. She meets Wei Xiaobao and accepts him as her apprentice. She is a prominent character in ''Sword Stained with Royal Blood'', another novel by Jin Yong.
* Aqi () is one of Jiunan's apprentices. She marries the Mongol prince Galdan.
* Li Zicheng (), nicknamed "Dashing King" (), was the leader of the rebel forces that overthrew the Ming Empire. He was defeated by forces of the Qing Empire and forced to go into hiding in Yunnan. He fathered Ake with Chen Yuanyuan.
* Chen Yuanyuan () was Wu Sangui's concubine and Ake's mother.
* Tao Hongying () is a palace maid who served as a personal attendant to Princess Changping. She continues to work in the imperial palace after the Qing Empire replaced the Ming Empire. Her martial arts master ordered her to steal the " Sutra of Forty-two Chapters".
* Li Xihua () is the son of Li Yan, a former subordinate of Li Zicheng. He attempts to kill Li Zicheng to avenge his father, whom Li Zicheng forced to commit suicide in ''Sword Stained With Royal Blood''.

House of Prince Mu

* Mu Jiansheng () is a descendant of Mu Ying and the heir to a princedom in Yunnan. He remains loyal to the fallen Ming Empire and leads his followers to resist the Qing Empire. He is Mu Jianping's elder brother.
* Liu Dahong () is nicknamed "Iron-Backed Dragon" ().
* Wu Lishen () is nicknamed "Head-Shaking Lion" ().
* Ao Biao () is Wu Lishen's apprentice.
* Liu Yizhou () is Wu Lishen's apprentice.
* Su Gang (), nicknamed "Sacred Hand Resident" (), is Bai Hanfeng's sworn brother.
* Bai Hansong () is Bai Hanfeng's elder brother. He is killed by Xu Tianchuan in a misunderstanding.
* Bai Hanfeng () seeks vengeance on the Tiandihui after his brother was killed by Xu Tianchuan. Wei Xiaobao resolves the conflict between them and they become allies.

Mystic Dragon Cult

The Mystic Dragon Cult () is a martial arts sect based on Mystic Dragon Island, a fictional island located off the coast of Northeast China.

* Hong Antong () is the cult's leader. He is killed during the cult's internal conflict.
* Mao Dongzhu () is Mao Wenlong's daughter who was sent by the cult to infiltrate the imperial palace and impersonate the empress dowager. She taught the Kangxi Emperor martial arts when he was still a boy. After her cover is blown, she flees the imperial palace and is eventually killed by the Gui family.
* Liu Yan () is Mao Dongzhu's junior who disguised herself as a palace maid. She is killed by Fang Yi.
* Deng Bingchun () is killed by Wei Xiaobao.
* Fat Monk () is the cult's "Fat Venerable" (). 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 () is the cult's "Thin Venerable" () and the Fat Monk's counterpart. He is also Mao Dongzhu's lover and Princess Jianning's father. He is killed by the Gui family.
* Lu Gaoxuan ()
* Zhang Danyue ()
* Taoist Wugen ()
* Zhong Zhiling ()
* Yin Jin ()
* Xu Yunting ()
* Yun Sumei ()
* Zhang Laosan ()

Wu Sangui and associates

* Wu Sangui () is a former general of the Ming Empire. When he heard that his concubine Chen Yuanyuan had been seized by Li Zicheng, he defected to the Manchus and got them to help him defeat Li Zicheng. He opened Shanhai Pass, which he was supposed to be guarding, and allowed the Manchu forces to enter the territories of the former Ming Empire and drive away Li Zicheng's forces. After the Qing Empire is established, he is rewarded with a princedom in Yunnan. During the Kangxi Emperor's reign, he stages a rebellion against the Qing Empire.
* Wu Yingxiong () 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, and appoints Wei Xiaobao as an imperial commissioner to escort the princess to Yunnan and oversee the wedding. However, Jianning refuses to marry Wu Yingxiong and castrates him and accuses him of molesting her. Wu Yingxiong is later sent to the capital as a hostage to ensure that his father remains loyal to the Qing Empire. He is executed when his father starts a rebellion.
* Xia Guoxiang () is the chancellor of Wu Sangui's princedom and Wu's son-in-law. He is tricked by Wei Xiaobao into releasing the assassin who made an attempt on Wu Sangui's life.
* Ma Bao ()
* Master Lang ()
* Qi Yuankai ()
* Yang Yizhi ()
* Zhang Guogui ()
* Zhu Guozhi ()
* Gan Wenkun ()
* Wang Jinbao ()
* Sun Sike ()
* Balangxing ()

Tsardom of Russia

* Sophia () is a half-sister of Peter I. She becomes the regent of Russia with Wei Xiaobao's help.
* Alexei Mikhailovich () was the former Tsar and Sophia's father.
* Peter I () is the Tsar of Russia.
* Ivan () is Peter I's half-brother and co-ruler of Russia.
* Natalia () is the Tsarina Dowager who is killed by the army which defected to Sophia.
* (Alexei) Tolbuzin () is a Russian general who argues with Wei Xiaobao over the border between the Qing Empire and Russia.
* Fyodor Golovin () is a Russian envoy to the Qing Empire.
* (Vasily) Golitsyn () is the Russian principal minister of state.
* Yarchinsky () is the Russian governor of Nerchinsk and Jaxa.
* Waboski () and Zironov () are Sophia's bodyguards.

Shaolin Sect

* Huicong () is the abbot of Shaolin.
* Chengguang () is a Shaolin monk who is also the abbot of Qingliang Monastery on Mount Wutai.
* Chengshi () is the head of Shaolin's Discipline Hall.
* Chengguan () is the head of Shaolin's Prajna Hall.
* Chengxin ()
* Chengtong ()
* Fasheng ()
* Jingji ()
* Jingqing ()
* Jingben ()
* Jingyuan ()

Wudang Sect

* Taoist Yunyan ()
* Taoist Yunhe ()

Wangwu Sect

* Yuan Yifang ()
* Situ Bolei () is the leader of the Wangwu Sect () and a former subordinate of Wu Sangui.
* Situ He () is Situ Bolei's son.

Mongols

* Galdan () is a Mongol prince who allies with Wu Sangui when the latter rebels against the Qing Empire. 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 and marries Aqi later.
* Hantiemo () is an envoy sent by Galdan to meet Wu Sangui. Wei Xiaobao tricks him into describing the full plans of Wu Sangui's rebellion and then arrests him and sends him to the Kangxi Emperor.

Tibetans

* Bayan ()
* Shengluotuo ()
* Dahe'er ()
* Sangye ()
* Hubayin ()

Mount Hua Sect

* Gui Xinshu (), nicknamed "Invincible Divine Fists" (), is a member of the Mount Hua Sect who also appears in ''Sword Stained with Royal Blood'', another of Jin Yong's novels. He is killed along with his family by imperial guards.
* Gui Erniang () is Gui Xinshu's wife who also appears in ''Sword Stained with Royal Blood''.
* Gui Zhong () is Gui Xinshu and Gui Erniang's son who first appears in ''Sword Stained with Royal Blood'' as a sickly infant. In ''The Deer and the Cauldron'', he has grown up to become a young adult.
* Feng Nandi (), nicknamed "All Prestigious" (), is the leader of the Mount Hua Sect.
* Feng Bupo () and Feng Bucui (), nicknamed "Heroes of the Two Rivers" (), are Feng Nandi's sons.
* He Tieshou () is a character from ''Sword Stained with Royal Blood'' who is only mentioned by name in ''The Deer and the Cauldron''. She saved the female members of the Zhuang family from exile and taught them martial arts.

Others

* The Shunzhi Emperor () was the former ruler of the Qing Empire and the Kangxi Emperor's father. He disappeared after the death of his favourite concubine, Consort Donggo, and is presumed dead. It is revealed later that he has become a monk in Qingliang Monastery on Mount Wutai and adopted a new name, Xingchi (). He is temporarily reunited with his son with Wei Xiaobao's help, but decides to permanently detach himself from worldly affairs and continue to be a monk. He gives some brief advice to his son on governing the empire.
* Xingdian () is Xingchi's junior who possesses immense strength.
* Mao Shiba () is an outlaw. He brings Wei Xiaobao to Beijing, where both of them are kidnapped by Hai Dafu and brought into the imperial palace. He manages to escape and is saved by members of the Tiandihui. He meets Wei again when Wei joins the Tiandihui and accuses Wei of being a traitor when Wei is forced to help the Kangxi Emperor persecute the Tiandihui. He is captured and sentenced to death but Wei saves him by making him switch places with Feng Xifan.
* The Third Young Mistress Zhuang () is the matriarch of the Zhuang family and He Tieshou's apprentice. She leads the family after all its male members were executed by Oboi. She is grateful to Wei Xiaobao for helping them take revenge, and she tells Shuang'er to accompany him. See also the Zhuang Tinglong Case.
* Hu Yizhi (), nicknamed "Hundred Victorious Saber King" () and "Handsome Saber King" (), is a swordsman who has a crush on Chen Yuanyuan for many years. He follows Chen Yuanyuan to Yunnan and disguises himself so that he can protect her from danger. He meets Wei Xiaobao and becomes sworn brothers with him.
* Zha Yihuang (), also known as Zha Jizuo (), is a scholar from Haining. This character is purportedly an ancestor of the novel's author Jin Yong, whose birth name is Zha Liangyong.
* Ma Boren () is the leader of the Tantui Sect ().
* Lei Yixiao () is nicknamed "Tiger-Faced Hegemon King" ().
* Wu Tong (), nicknamed "Golden Spear King" (), is the leader of the Wusheng Security Service ().
* Shenzhao Shangren ()
* Song San () is nicknamed "Swift Horse" ().
* Yu Ba () is nicknamed "One Stroke Less" ().
* Xinxi () is the abbot of Buddhist Light Monastery () on Mount Wutai.
* Yao Chun () is a physician.
* Huangfu Ge ()
* He Sheng ()
* Adam Schall von Bell ()
* Ferdinand Verbiest () is a Flemish Jesuit missionary who visits China.
* Gu Yanwu ()
* Huang Zongxi ()
* Lü Liuliang ()

See also

* List of organisations in wuxia fiction

{{DEFAULTSORT:Deer and the Cauldron characters, List of The
Lists of Jin Yong characters
The Deer and the Cauldron