Yang Pengju (simplified: 杨鹏举, traditional: 楊鵬舉, pinyin: Yáng Péngjǔ, jyutping: joeng4 paang4 geoi2) was a Bruneian official who accompanied Yuan Chengzhi (袁承志) into exile to Brunei in Sword Stained with Royal Blood.
Biography
Accompanying Yuan Chengzhi into exile
After Yuan Chengzhi became disillusioned with Li Zicheng’s rebellion and decided to leave China, Yang Pengju, along with Zhang Chaotang (张朝唐) and Zhang Kang (张康), accompanied Yuan Chengzhi and his companions on their journey to Brunei. As an official from Brunei, Yang Pengju would have provided valuable knowledge and connections for establishing the new community in exile.
Together with Yuan Chengzhi and the other companions, Yang Pengju participated in the expedition to reclaim an island near Brunei that had been colonised by the Dutch. After successfully driving out the colonisers, Yang Pengju helped establish the new life in exile, away from the chaos and corruption of mainland China.
Role in the novel
Contributing to the exile theme
Yang Pengju’s involvement in Yuan Chengzhi’s journey to Brunei contributes to the novel’s theme of exile and the search for a better life away from corruption and chaos. As an official from Brunei who had experience with both Chinese and Bruneian cultures, he would have been valuable in helping Yuan Chengzhi and his companions establish their new life in exile.
Relationships
Allies
- Yuan Chengzhi — The protagonist who led the expedition to Brunei
- Zhang Chaotang (张朝唐) — A fellow Bruneian official who accompanied Yuan Chengzhi into exile
- Zhang Kang (张康) — Another Bruneian official who accompanied Yuan Chengzhi into exile
Legacy
Yang Pengju’s story highlights the theme of international connections and cultural exchange in the novel. His role as a Bruneian official who helped establish the new community in exile demonstrates how people from different backgrounds could come together to create a new life away from the chaos and corruption of their original homeland.