List of The Book and the Sword characters

The following is a list of characters from the novel The Book and the Sword by Jin Yong (Louis Cha). Some of these characters also appear in The Young Flying Fox, another of Jin Yong's works.

"Princess Fragrance" redirects here. For the 1987 Chinese film, see Princess Fragrance (film).

Main characters
  • Chen Jialuo (陳家洛; Chén Jiāluò) is the protagonist of the novel and the chief of the Red Flower Society.
  • Huoqingtong (霍青桐; Huòqīngtóng) is Muzhuolun's elder daughter. She falls in love with Chen Jialuo when he helps her tribe recover the Quran that was stolen from them. She is a martial arts expert and a resourceful military strategist.
  • Kasili (喀絲麗; Kǎsīlì), also known as Princess Fragrance (香香公主; Xiāngxiāng Gōngzhǔ), is Huoqingtong's younger sister. She meets Chen Jialuo and falls in love with him. After being captured by the Qianlong Emperor, she initially agrees to be his concubine on the condition that he spares Chen and the Red Flower Society. However, when she discovers that the emperor is going back on his word, she commits suicide to warn Chen and the heroes. This character is based on the Fragrant Concubine.
  • The Qianlong Emperor (乾隆皇帝; Qiánlóng Huángdì) is the ruler of the Qing Empire. He is actually Chen Jialuo's elder brother. Shortly after he was born, he switched places with the Yongzheng Emperor's daughter and was raised as a prince before eventually inheriting the throne.

Red Flower Society

The Red Flower Society (紅花會; Hónghuāhuì) is a secret organisation aiming to overthrow the Manchu-led Qing Empire and restore Han Chinese rule in China.

  • Taoist Wuchen (無塵道長; Wúchén Dàozhǎng), nicknamed "Soul-chasing, Life-taking Sword" (追魂奪命劍; zhuīhún duómìng jiàn), is the second leader of the society. He is the most powerful of all the leaders in terms of martial arts.
  • Zhao Banshan (趙半山; Zhào Bànshān), nicknamed "Thousand Arms Buddha" (千臂如來; qiānbì rúlái), is the third leader of the society.
  • Wen Tailai (文泰來; Wén Tàilái), nicknamed "Thunderbolt Hand" (奔雷手; bēnléishŏu), is the fourth leader of the society. At the start of the novel, the Qianlong Emperor sends his men to ambush and arrest him to prevent him from revealing the secret behind the emperor's origin. His fellows make several attempts to rescue him before eventually succeeding.
  • Chang Hezhi (常赫志; Cháng Hèzhì), nicknamed "Black Impermanence" (黑無常; hēiwúcháng), is the fifth leader of the society. He and his twin brother often disguise themselves as the Black and White Guards of Impermanence respectively.
  • Chang Bozhi (常伯志; Cháng Bózhì), nicknamed "White Impermanence" (白無常; báiwúcháng), is Chang Hezhi's twin brother. He is the sixth leader of the society.
  • Xu Tianhong (徐天宏; Xú Tiānhóng), nicknamed "Martial Zhuge" (武諸葛; wǔ Zhūgě), is the seventh leader of the society. He serves as the society's strategist and plans all their missions and activities, and is hence nicknamed "Martial Zhuge". He was originally at odds with Zhou Qi and often argues with her, but later falls in love with her and marries her after they escape from danger together.
  • Yang Chengxie (楊成協; Yáng Chéngxié), nicknamed "Iron Pagoda" (鐵塔; tiétă), is the eighth leader of the society.
  • Wei Chunhua (衛春華; Wèi Chūnhuá), nicknamed "Nine Lives Colourful Leopard" (九命錦豹子; jiǔmìng jǐnbàozǐ), is the ninth leader of the society.
  • Zhang Jin (章進; Zhāng Jìn), nicknamed "Rock Daring" (石敢當; shígǎndāng), is the hunchbacked tenth leader of the society. He is killed during the battle in the palace at the end of the novel.
  • Luo Bing (駱冰; Luò Bīng), nicknamed "Mandarin Ducks Saber" (鴛鴦刀; yuānyāng dāo), is Wen Tailai's wife and the 11th leader of the society.
  • Shi Shuangying (石雙英; Shí Shuāngyīng), nicknamed "Ghosts Fret When They See Me" (鬼見愁; guǐjiànchóu), is the 12th leader of the society.
  • Jiang Sigen (蔣四根; Jiǎng Sìgēn), nicknamed "Copper-headed Crocodile" (銅頭鱷魚; tóngtóu èyú), is the 13th leader of the society.
  • Yu Yutong (余魚同; Yú Yútóng), nicknamed "Golden Flute Scholar" (金笛秀才; jīndí xiùcái), is the 14th leader of the society. He has a crush on Luo Bing. When she feels upset after her husband was captured, he tries to comfort her and confesses his love to her, but she immediately rejects him and scolds him for having such immoral thoughts, causing him to feel ashamed of himself. At the same time, Yu Yutong is also aware that Li Yuanzhi has romantic feelings for him but he has been treating her coldly all this while because he still maintains his crush on Luo Bing. In the middle of the novel, he feels guilty for having hurt both Luo Bing and Li Yuanzhi emotionally, so he becomes a Buddhist monk to escape from the vicissitudes of life. However, when he learns that the society is in trouble, he decides to return to secular life to help them. With help from his fellows, he eventually accepts Li Yuanzhi's love and marries her.
  • Xinyan (心硯; Xīnyàn) is Chen Jialuo's servant. He becomes the 15th leader of the society later.
  • Yu Wanting (于萬亭; Yú Wàntíng) is Chen Jialuo's godfather and predecessor as the chief of the society. He is only mentioned by name in the novel as he is already dead before the events of the novel take place.

Wudang Sect
Further information: Wudang Sect
  • Zhang Zhaozhong (張昭重; Zhāng Zhāozhòng), nicknamed "Fiery Hand Judge" (火手判官; huóshǒu pànguān), is an antagonist in the novel. Tempted by wealth and fame, he decides to leave the Wudang Sect and serve the Qing government. He becomes a trusted henchman of the Qianlong Emperor and executes his lord's orders ruthlessly. He is defeated by Chen Jialuo and his companions in the middle of the story and taken back to Wudang by Ma Zhen for rehabilitation. He murders Ma Zhen later and escapes from Wudang to rejoin Qing forces. He is eventually defeated by Chen Jialuo in western China and falls into a valley, where he is killed by ravenous wolves.
  • Ma Zhen (馬真; Mǎ Zhēn) is the leader of the Wudang Sect and the senior of Lu Feiqing and Zhang Zhaozhong. He is also Yu Yutong's teacher. When Zhang Zhaozhong was defeated by Chen Jialuo and his friends in the middle of the novel, he pleads with them to spare Zhang's life and promises that he will reform his junior. However, Zhang murders him later and escapes from Wudang.
  • Lu Feiqing (陸菲青; Lù Fēiqīng) is Ma Zhen's junior and Zhang Zhaozhong's senior. To evade from his enemies, he disguises himself as a scholar and becomes a private tutor to Li Yuanzhi. By chance, Li discovers his skill in dart-throwing and learns that he is actually a Wudang swordsman. He agrees to teach Li martial arts after she keeps pestering him. He becomes a key ally of the Red Flower Society.

Shaolin Sect
Further information: Shaolin Sect
  • Tianhong (天虹; Tiānhóng) is the abbot of Shaolin Monastery. He sparred with Chen Jialuo when the latter visited Shaolin. He is killed when the Qing soldiers attack and burn down the monastery.
  • Tianjing (天鏡; Tiānjìng) is Tianhong's junior. He also sparred with Chen Jialuo.
  • Dachi (大癡; Dàchī), Dadian (大癲; Dàdiān) and Daku (大苦; Dàkǔ) are three Shaolin monks who sparred with Chen Jialuo.

Qing forces
  • Fuk'anggan (福康安; Fúkāng'ān) is a Manchu general who is actually an illegitimate son of the Qianlong Emperor. He resembles his uncle Chen Jialuo in appearance. The emperor appoints him as the Nine Gates Infantry Commander. In the final battle at the palace, he is captured by the Red Flower Society's members, who use him as a hostage to force the emperor to come to a truce with them.
  • Bai Zhen (白振; Bái Zhèn), nicknamed "Golden Claw Iron Hook" (金爪鐵鉤; jīnzhǎo tiěgōu), is the Qianlong Emperor's chief bodyguard and top henchman. He was originally a martial artist from the Songyang Sect (嵩陽派; sōngyáng pài).
  • Li Kexiu (李可秀; Lí Kěxìu) is the provincial military commander of Zhejiang. He is Li Yuanzhi's father.
  • Zhaohui (兆惠; Zhàohuì) is a Manchu general leading a Qing army garrisoned in western China. A calculative, ruthless and experienced military commander, he uses tough means to enforce discipline in his army. He attacks the Islamic tribes and annihilates them.
  • Heshen (和珅; Héshēn) is a high-ranking Manchu aristocrat and close aide of the Qianlong Emperor.
  • Ji Yun (紀昀; Jì Yún)
  • Zheng Xie (鄭燮; Zhèng Xiè)

Scholars, poets and artists

Allies and associates of the Red Flower Society

Iron Courage Manor

Iron Courage Manor (鐵膽莊; Tiédǎn Zhuāng) is a manor owned by Zhou Zhongying. He and his family lived there until the manor was destroyed in a fire.

  • Zhou Zhongying (周仲英; Zhōu Zhòngyīng) is the master of the manor and a reputable martial artist. He kills his only son in anger after learning that the boy has disgraced him, but he deeply regrets later even though he constantly tries to hide his remorse to contain his pride. He becomes a close ally of the Red Flower Society and intends to let his son-in-law, Xu Tianhong, become his successor.
  • Zhou Zhongying's wife is the mother of Zhou Qi and Zhou Yingjie. She resents her husband and leaves him after he killed their son in anger. Zhou Zhongying deeply regrets his action later and tries to patch up with his wife. With help from Zhou Qi and the Red Flower Society, the Zhou couple eventually reconcile with each other.
  • Zhou Qi (周綺; Zhōu Qí) is Zhou Zhongying's daughter. She was originally at odds with Xu Tianhong and often bickers and argues with him. The two of them forge close ties after braving danger and narrowly escaping death together. They are married eventually.
  • Zhou Yingjie (周英傑; Zhōu Yīngjié) is Zhou Zhongying's 10-year-old son. Zhang Zhaozhong taunts him when he refuses to reveal Wen Tailai's hiding place. The indignant boy responds to the insults and unsuspectingly spills the beans. Wen Tailai and Luo Bing have no choice but to come out and fight with Zhang Zhaozhong and his men. They are outnumbered and Wen is injured and captured. Zhou Zhongying was not at home when these events took place. When he returns later and learns that his son had disgraced him by (unintentionally) betraying a fellow martial artist, he is so overwhelmed by fury that he kills his son.

Others
  • Li Yuanzhi (李沅芷; Lǐ Yuánzhí) is Li Kexiu's daughter and Lu Feiqing's apprentice. She develops romantic feelings for Yu Yutong but he often gives her the cold shoulder because he has a crush on Luo Bing. Towards the end of the novel, Yu Yutong finally accepts her love and marries her.
  • Yuan Shixiao (袁士宵; Yuán Shìxiāo), nicknamed "Eccentric Hero of the Heavenly Pool" (天池怪俠; tiānchí guàixiá), is an eccentric martial artist living on Mount Heaven. He teaches Chen Jialuo martial arts and imparts his famous skill, "Hundred Flowers Fist", to Chen. He has a crush on Guan Mingmei and has never given up on her even after she married Chen Zhengde. He often bickers and argues with her husband.
  • The "Twin Eagles of Mount Heaven" (天山雙鷹; tiānshān shuāngyīng) are a couple living on Mount Heaven. They came to Hangzhou and attempted to assassinate the Qianlong Emperor. They are Chen Zhengde (陳正德; Chén Zhèngdé), nicknamed "Bald Vulture" (禿鷲; tūjiù); and Guan Mingmei (關明梅; Guān Míngméi), nicknamed "Snow Condor" (雪鵰; xuědiāo). Guan Mingmei is also Huoqingtong's martial arts master.
  • Muzhuolun (木卓倫; Mùzhuólún) is the chief of the Islamic tribe and the father of Huoqingtong and Kasili.
  • Huo'ayi (霍阿伊; Huò'āyī) is Muzhuolun's son and an elder brother of Huoqingtong and Kasili.

Other characters
  • The "Six Devils of Guandong" (關東六魔; Guāndōng liùmó) are a group of six martial artists from Guandong. They are hired by Bai Zhen to carry out the Qianlong Emperor's secret order to eliminate the Red Flower Society.
    • Teng Yilei (滕一雷; Téng Yīléi) is the most fearsome of the six. He is determined to slay any enemy at the expense of his life.
    • Gu Jinbiao (顧金標; Gù Jīnbiāo) is a former bandit. His movements cannot be traced and he appears unpredictably.
    • Jiao Wenqi (焦文期; Jiāo Wénqī) was killed by Lu Feiqing. His fellows mistakenly think that the Red Flower Society is responsible for his death and start seeking vengeance on the society.
    • Hahetai (哈合台; Hāhétái) is a former shepherd from Mongolia.
    • Yan Shizhang (閻世章; Yán Shìzhāng) is killed by Huoqingtong.
    • Yan Shikui (閻世魁; Yán Shìkuí) is Yan Shizhang's younger brother. He is killed by Huoqingtong when the Islamic tribesmen and the Red Flower Society team up to attack Yan Shikui's convoy to take back the Quran.
  • Luo Yuantong (駱元通; Luò Yuántōng), nicknamed "Holy Saber" (神刀; shéndāo), is Luo Bing's father.
  • Bei Renlong (貝人龍; Bèi Rénlóng) is a martial artist nicknamed "Jade Judge" (玉判官; yùpànguān).
  • Wang Weiyang (王維揚; Wáng Wéiyáng), nicknamed "My Might Trembles Heshuo" (威震河朔; wēizhèn héshuò), is the leader of the Zhenyuan Security Service. ("Heshuo" refers to an area north of the Yellow River that includes parts of modern Shanxi, Hebei and Shandong.)
  • Han Wenchong (韓文沖; Hán Wénchōng) is a martial artist who owns a swift steed. The horse is stolen by Luo Bing when he stops to take a break.
  • Yang Pengju (楊鵬舉; Yáng Péngjǔ), nicknamed "Golden Wings Brushing Against the Clouds" (摩雲金翅; móyún jīnchì), is the leader of the Wuhui Security Service.
  • Sixth Master Tang (唐六爺; Táng Lìuyé) is a martial artist nicknamed "Candy with Frosted Arsenic" (糖裡砒霜; tánglǐ pīshuāng).
  • Chu Yuan (褚圓; Chǔ Yuán) is a martial artist nicknamed "A Reed Crossing the River" (一葦渡江; yīwěi dùjiāng).
  • Luo Xin (羅信; Luó Xìn) is a martial artist nicknamed "Iron Armed Arhat" (鐵臂羅漢; tiěbì luóhàn).
  • Wu Guodong (吳國棟; Wú Guódòng) is a constable from Beijing.
  • Yuruyi (玉如意; Yùrúyì) is a courtesan from Hangzhou. She entertains the Qianlong Emperor during his meeting with Chen Jialuo and seduces him with her charms. Later, she lures the emperor into a trap, where he is captured by the Red Flower Society's members and held hostage in the Liuhe Pagoda.
  • Effendi (阿凡提) is a weird and funny bearded old man who rides on a donkey. This character is believed to be based on Nasreddin.
  • "Four Tigers of Hulun" (忽倫四虎; Hūlún sì hǔ)

See also
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