Duolong (simplified: 多隆, traditional: 多隆, pinyin: Duōlóng, jyutping: do1 lung4) was the Supervisor of the Imperial Guards (御前侍卫总管 — Yùqián Shìwèi Zǒngguǎn) and a close friend of Wei Xiaobao in The Deer and the Cauldron. Their friendship is tested when Wei Xiaobao is forced to stage an assassination attempt on Duolong to save members of the Heaven and Earth Society.
Biography
Supervisor of Imperial Guards
Duolong serves as the head of the Imperial Guards, responsible for the security of the Kangxi Emperor and the imperial palace. In this capacity, he works closely with Wei Xiaobao, who also serves the emperor in various capacities throughout the novel.
Friendship with Wei Xiaobao
Duolong and Wei Xiaobao develop a genuine friendship based on mutual respect and trust. Duolong appreciates Wei Xiaobao’s wit and resourcefulness, while Wei Xiaobao values Duolong’s loyalty and straightforward nature.
The two become sworn brothers, further solidifying their bond. This relationship proves valuable to both men as they navigate the complex world of imperial politics and martial arts conflicts.
The assassination attempt
One of the most dramatic moments in Duolong’s story occurs when members of the Heaven and Earth Society are surrounded by imperial forces. To save them, Wei Xiaobao is forced to create a diversion by attempting to “assassinate” Duolong.
Wei Xiaobao stabs Duolong with a dagger, but intentionally avoids vital organs, ensuring that the wound, while serious, is not fatal. Duolong survives the attack, but the incident creates a complex situation that tests their friendship.
Wei Xiaobao’s motivation for this act demonstrates the difficult choices he must make when caught between his loyalty to the emperor (represented by Duolong) and his obligations to the Heaven and Earth Society.
Aftermath
Despite the attack, Duolong eventually recovers and the incident is resolved in a way that allows their friendship to continue. Duolong’s survival and eventual understanding of the circumstances demonstrates his loyalty to Wei Xiaobao and his ability to see beyond immediate events to understand the bigger picture.
Personality
Duolong is characterized by his loyalty, straightforwardness, and dedication to duty. As a military officer, he takes his responsibilities seriously but also values personal relationships and friendship.
His trust in Wei Xiaobao, even after the assassination attempt, demonstrates both his forgiving nature and his recognition that complex situations sometimes require difficult choices. He is able to distinguish between personal attacks and actions taken under duress.
Significance
Duolong represents the tension between personal friendship and political obligations that runs throughout the novel. His relationship with Wei Xiaobao shows how individuals can maintain bonds even when caught in conflicts between different factions.
The assassination attempt incident highlights Wei Xiaobao’s constant struggle to balance his multiple loyalties—to the emperor, to the Heaven and Earth Society, and to his personal friendships. Duolong’s survival and forgiveness demonstrate that true friendship can survive even the most difficult circumstances.
Duolong’s character also provides insight into the military and security apparatus of the Qing court, showing how imperial power was maintained and how individuals at various levels interacted with each other in service of the emperor.