Ge Tong (simplified: 葛通, traditional: 葛通, pinyin: Gě Tōng, jyutping: got3 tung1) is an imperial guard who is killed by members of the Wang Wu School (王屋派) in The Deer and the Cauldron.
Biography
Service as imperial guard
Ge Tong serves as an imperial guard in the Qing court, responsible for palace security and the protection of the emperor and other members of the imperial family. His position gives him access to various areas of the palace and allows him to participate in various court activities.
As an imperial guard, Ge Tong is part of the broader security apparatus of the Qing court, working alongside other guards to maintain order and security within the palace.
Death at the hands of Wangwu Sect members
Ge Tong is killed by members of the Wang Wu School, a martial arts school that is part of the anti-Qing resistance movement. His death demonstrates the dangerous nature of palace service and the various threats that imperial guards faced from anti-Qing forces.
His death represents the theme of the vulnerability of palace servants and the dangerous consequences of serving in the imperial court, where guards could become targets for various political factions.
Significance
Ge Tong represents the theme of the vulnerability of palace servants and the dangerous nature of palace service. His death at the hands of Wangwu Sect members demonstrates how imperial guards could become targets for anti-Qing forces, even when they were simply performing their duties.
His character also highlights the theme of political violence and the various threats that existed within the palace, showing how guards like Ge Tong could become victims of the conflicts between the Qing court and anti-Qing resistance movements.
Ge Tong’s character contributes to the broader theme of palace intrigue and the dangerous nature of imperial politics, showing how even low-ranking guards like Ge Tong could become victims when caught between competing political factions.