Hong Antong (simplified: 洪安通, traditional: 洪安通, pinyin: Hóng Āntōng, jyutping: hung4 on1 tung1) was the leader of the Mystic Dragon Order (神龙教 — Shénlóng Jiào), a secretive cult that uses poison to control its members in The Deer and the Cauldron.
Biography
Leadership of the Mystic Dragon Order
Hong Antong rules over the Mystic Dragon Order with absolute authority, using a sophisticated system of control based on poison. Members of the order are forced to take the “Leopard Fetus Easy Tendon Pill” (豹胎昉筋丸 — Bàotāi Yìjīn Wán), which can cause dramatic physical transformations and painful death if not properly treated with regular antidotes.
This poison control system ensures loyalty among members, as they must regularly obtain antidotes from the order to avoid agonizing death. Hong Antong’s power rests on this control mechanism, making the order both powerful and cruel.
Marriage to Su Quan
Hong Antong is married to Su Quan (苏荃), though their marriage appears to be one of convenience rather than genuine affection. Su Quan holds a position of influence within the order as the leader’s wife, but their relationship is marked by tension as Hong Antong’s obsession with power leaves little room for genuine emotional connection.
Their marriage ultimately ends when the Mystic Dragon Order collapses, and Su Quan later becomes one of Wei Xiaobao’s wives.
Encounter with Wei Xiaobao
When Wei Xiaobao is captured by the Mystic Dragon Order, Hong Antong is initially impressed by Wei Xiaobao’s abilities and apparent loyalty. Using his typical blend of flattery, cunning, and opportunism, Wei Xiaobao manages to win Hong Antong’s trust and is appointed as one of the Five Dragon Emissaries (白龙使 — Báilóng Shǐ), replacing Zhong Zhiling.
However, Wei Xiaobao’s relationship with Su Quan and his manipulation of the order’s politics eventually contribute to the order’s downfall.
The Order’s collapse
The Mystic Dragon Order collapses due to internal power struggles and external pressures. Hong Antong’s authoritarian rule and the brutal poison control system create resentment among members, leading to rebellion and conflict.
During the order’s collapse, Hong Antong is ultimately killed, ending his reign of terror. His death represents the fall of the cruel control system he had built, demonstrating how power based on fear and coercion is ultimately unsustainable.
Personality
Hong Antong is characterized by his absolute authority, obsession with power, and willingness to use cruel methods to maintain control. He is a ruthless leader who sees his followers as tools to be controlled rather than individuals deserving respect.
His obsession with power extends to all aspects of the order, from its religious façade to its poison control system, creating an organization that is both powerful and fundamentally unstable.
Significance
Hong Antong represents the theme of power and control that runs throughout the novel. His use of poison to control members demonstrates how those in power can maintain dominance through fear and coercion, but also how such systems are ultimately fragile.
His character also highlights the theme of manipulation, as he is himself manipulated by Wei Xiaobao, who uses flattery and deception to gain his trust before ultimately contributing to his downfall.
Hong Antong’s death during the order’s collapse illustrates the novel’s broader themes about the instability of power based on fear and coercion, and how even the most powerful leaders can fall when their control systems fail.