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Characters in The Book and the Sword

Characters in The Book and the Sword

The Book and the Sword features a complex cast of characters from various martial arts schools and factions, including the Red Flower Society, Wudang Order, and Shaolin Order. The story explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the conflict between personal relationships and political obligations during the Qing Dynasty.

Protagonists

  • Chen Jialuo (陈家洛 – Chén Jiāluò) – Leader of the Red Flower Society, skilled martial artist and scholar from Haining
  • Huoqingtong (霍青桐 – Huò Qīngtóng) the Emerald Feather and Yellow Dress – Elder daughter of Uyghur tribal chief Muzhuolun
  • Kasili (喀丝丽 – Kǎsīlì), also known as Princess Fragrance (香香公主 – Xiāngxiāng Gōngzhǔ) – Huoqingtong’s younger sister
  • The Qianlong Emperor (乾隆皇帝 – Qiánlóng Huángdì) – Ruler of the Qing Empire, originally from the Chen family of Haining

Red Flower Society

  • Priest Wuchen (无尘道长 – Wúchén Dàozhǎng) the Soul-chasing, Life-taking Sword – Second leader
  • Zhao Banshan (赵半山 – Zhào Bànshān) the Thousand Arms Buddha – Third leader, Taiji School expert
  • Wen Tailai (文泰来 – Wén Tàilái) the Thunderbolt Hand – Fourth leader, Luo Bing’s husband
  • Chang Hezhi (常赫志 – Cháng Hèzhì) the Black Impermanence – Fifth leader, Qingcheng School expert
  • Chang Bozhi (常伯志 – Cháng Bózhì) the White Impermanence – Sixth leader, Chang Hezhi’s twin
  • Xu Tianhong (徐天宏 – Xú Tiānhóng) the Martial Zhuge – Seventh leader, society strategist
  • Yang Chengxie (杨成协 – Yáng Chéngxié) the Iron Pagoda – Eighth leader, former Green Flag Gang chief
  • Wei Chunhua (卫春华 – Wèi Chūnhuá) the Colourful Leopard with Nine Lives – Ninth leader
  • Zhang Jin (章进 – Zhāng Jìn) the Rock Daring – Tenth leader
  • Luo Bing (骆冰 – Luò Bīng) the Mandarin Ducks Saber – Eleventh leader, Wen Tailai’s wife
  • Shi Shuangying (石双英 – Shí Shuāngyīng) the Ghosts Fret When They See Me – Twelfth leader
  • Jiang Sigen (蒋四根 – Jiǎng Sìgēn) the Copper-headed Crocodile – Thirteenth leader
  • Yu Yutong (余鱼同 – Yú Yútóng) the Golden Flute Scholar – Fourteenth leader
  • Xinyan (心硯 – Xīnyàn) – Fifteenth leader, Chen Jialuo’s servant
  • Yu Wanting (于万亭 – Yú Wàntíng) – Former chief, Chen Jialuo’s godfather

Wudang Order

  • Zhang Zhaozhong (张昭重 – Zhāng Zhāozhòng) the Fiery Hand Judge – Former Wudang expert serving Qing government
  • Ma Zhen (马真 – Mǎ Zhēn) – Wudang Order leader
  • Lu Feiqing (陆菲青 – Lù Fēiqīng) the Needle in Cotton – Zhao Banshan’s sworn brother

Shaolin Order

  • Tianhong (天虹 – Tiānhóng) – Shaolin Order abbot
  • Tianjing (天镜 – Tiānjìng) – Tianhong’s junior
  • Dachi (大痴 – Dàchī) – Shaolin monk
  • Dadian (大癫 – Dàdiān) – Shaolin monk
  • Daku (大苦 – Dàkǔ) – Shaolin monk

Qing forces

  • Fuk’anggan (福康安 – Fúkāng’ān) – Nine Gates Infantry Commander, Qianlong Emperor’s illegitimate son
  • Bai Zhen (白振 – Bái Zhèn) the Golden Claw Iron Hook – Imperial bodyguard
  • Chu Yuan (褚圆 – Chǔ Yuán) the Reed Crossing the River – Imperial bodyguard
  • Long Jun (龙骏 – Lóng Jùn) – Imperial bodyguard
  • Fan Zhong’en (范中恩 – Fàn Zhōng’ēn) – Imperial bodyguard
  • Ma Jingxia (马敬侠 – Mǎ Jìngxiá) – Imperial bodyguard
  • Rui Dalin (瑞大林 – Ruì Dàlín) – Imperial bodyguard
  • Cheng Huang (成璜 – Chéng Huáng) – Imperial bodyguard
  • Hu Guodong (胡国栋 – Hú Guódòng) – Beijing chief constable
  • Li Kexiu (李可秀 – Lǐ Kěxiù) – Zhejiang military commander
  • Zhaohui (兆惠 – Zhàohuì) – Manchu general
  • Heshen (和珅 – Héshēn) – High-ranking Manchu aristocrat
  • Ji Yun (纪昀 – Jì Yún) – Imperial official
  • Zheng Xie (郑燮 – Zhèng Xiè) – Imperial official
  • Wan Qinglan (万庆澜 – Wàn Qìnglán) – Qing official
  • Tong Zhaohe (童兆和 – Tóng Zhàohé) – Qing official

Scholars, poets and artists

  • Yuan Mei (袁枚 – Yuán Méi)
  • Shen Deqian (沈德潜 – Shěn Déqiǎn)
  • Zhao Yi (赵翼 – Zhào Yì)
  • Jiang Shiquan (蒋士铨 – Jiǎng Shìquán)
  • Li E (厉鹗 – Lì È)

Iron Courage Manor

  • Zhou Zhongying (周仲英 – Zhōu Zhòngyīng) – Manor master, Shaolin-trained martial artist
  • Zhou Qi (周绮 – Zhōu Qí) the Pretty Li Kui – Zhou Zhongying’s daughter
  • Zhou Yingjie (周英杰 – Zhōu Yīngjié) – Zhou Zhongying’s ten-year-old son
  • Meng Jianxiong (孟健雄 – Mèng Jiànxióng) – Zhou Zhongying’s apprentice
  • An Jiangang (安健刚 – Ān Jiàngāng) – Zhou Zhongying’s apprentice
  • Song Shanpeng (宋善朋 – Sòng Shànpéng) – Manor housekeeper

Other allies and associates

  • Li Yuanzhi (李沅芷 – Lǐ Yuánzhí) – Li Kexiu’s daughter, Lu Feiqing’s apprentice
  • Yuan Shixiao (袁士宵 – Yuán Shìxiāo) the Eccentric Hero of the Heavenly Pool – Chen Jialuo’s martial arts teacher
  • Chen Zhengde (陈正德 – Chén Zhèngdé) the Bald Vulture – One of the Twin Eagles of Mount Heaven
  • Guan Mingmei (关明梅 – Guān Míngméi) the Snow Condor – One of the Twin Eagles of Mount Heaven
  • Muzhuolun (木卓伦 – Mùzhuólún) – Uyghur tribal chief
  • Huo’ayi (霍阿伊 – Huò’āyī) – Muzhuolun’s son

Six Devils of Guandong

  • Teng Yilei (滕一雷 – Téng Yīléi) – Most feared of the six
  • Gu Jinbiao (顾金标 – Gù Jīnbiāo) – Former bandit
  • Jiao Wenqi (焦文期 – Jiāo Wénqī)
  • Hahetai (哈合台 – Hāhétái) – Former Mongolian shepherd
  • Yan Shizhang (阎世章 – Yán Shìzhāng)
  • Yan Shikui (阎世魁 – Yán Shìkuí) – Yan Shizhang’s younger brother

Other characters

  • Chen Shiguan (陈世倌 – Chén Shìguān) – Minister of Rites, Chen Jialuo’s father
  • Xu Chaosheng (徐潮生 – Xǔ Cháoshēng) – Chen Jialuo’s mother
  • Luo Yuantong (骆元通 – Luò Yuántōng) the Holy Saber – Luo Bing’s father
  • Bei Renlong (贝人龙 – Bèi Rénlóng) the Jade Judge
  • Luo Xin (罗信 – Luó Xìn) the Iron Armed Arhat
  • Wang Weiyang (王维扬 – Wáng Wéiyáng) the My Might Trembles Heshuo – Zhenyuan Armed Escort leader
  • Tong Zhaohe (童兆和 – Tóng Zhàohé) – Zhenyuan Armed Escort member
  • Han Wenchong (韩文冲 – Hán Wénchōng) – Martial artist
  • Sixth Master Tang (唐六爷 – Táng Lìuyé) the Candy with Frosted Arsenic
  • Yuruyi (玉如意 – Yùrúyì) – Hangzhou courtesan
  • Effendi (阿凡提 – Āfántí) – Eccentric martial artist based on Nasreddin
  • Four Tigers of Hulun (忽倫四虎 – Hūlún Sìhǔ) – Four fierce Mongolian warriors
  • Jiao Wenqi (焦文期 – Jiāo Wénqī) – One of the Six Devils of Guandong

See also