Chu Liuxiang
Encyclopedia
Chu Liuxiang is the fictional protagonist of the wuxia
novel series Chu Liuxiang Series (楚留香系列) by Gu Long
.
Just like the Anglo-Saxon
legend of Robin Hood
, Chu Liuxiang is a thief who robs from the rich to help the poor and one who upholds justice in the jianghu
. He is nicknamed "Daoshuai" (盜帥; Bandit Chief) or more popularly, "Xiangshuai" (香帥; Chief Xiang). He is intelligent and observant, kind and compassionate. His name "Liuxiang" literally means "lingering fragrance".
Chu Liuxiang's age is not specified in the series as well and he is estimated to be around 30 years of age. In Bianfu Chuanqi (蝙蝠傳奇), Chu Liuxiang's childhood friend Hu Tiehua (胡鐵花) is said to be 33 years old. Chu Liuxiang's age is estimated to be close to Hu Tiehua's.
Chu Liuxiang resides on a boathouse called "Xiang Boathouse" (香榭), which also functions as his headquarters. Living together with him are three women, who are the closest people to him apart from his best friends, Hu Tiehua and Ji Bingyan (姬冰雁). They accompany him together in Tiexue Chuanqi (鐵血傳奇). They come from pitiful family backgrounds and have been following Chu Liuxiang on his adventures since they were 11 or 12. The first, Su Rongrong (蘇蓉蓉), is kind and understanding and specialises in the art of disguise. The second, Li Hongxiu (李紅袖), is very clear and alert and has a good memory. The third one, Song Tian'er (宋甜兒), is a good cook and is the most mischievous and adorable of the three. Chu Liuxiang also meets several other beautiful maidens on his adventures, such as Black Pearl (黑珍珠), Shi Xiuyun (石繡雲), Hua Zhenzhen (華真真), Dong Sanniang (東三娘) and Xinyue (新月). He marries Zhang Jiejie (张潔潔) eventually, whom he meets in Taohua Chuanqi (桃花傳奇).
Chu Liuxiang also has a wide network of friends. They include: Monk Wuhua (無花和尚), who becomes his foe later; Ji Bingyan, who appears cold and indifferent but is actually very warm-hearted; Zhongyuan Yidianhong (中原一點紅), a powerful swordsman; Zuo Qinghou (左輕侯), the hospitable master of Zhibei manor; "Swift Net" Zhang San (張三).
The three novels, Xuehai Piaoxiang, Da Shamo and Huameiniao, are collectively known as Chu Liuxiang Chuanqi novel series.
Chu Liuxiang steals a rare flower from the capital city and brings it back to his boathouse to take care of it himself. Later, he sees the corpses of several top pugilists in the jianghu
floating on the water surface drifting towards him. This arouses his interest and he decides to investigate their deaths. Meanwhile, the Heaven's One Holy Water (天一神水) of the Holy Water Palace (神水宮) is stolen and Chu Liuxiang becomes the suspect. Monk Wuhua is eventually revealed to be the mastermind behind all the mysterious events and murders. Chu Liuxiang confronts Wuhua and defeats him in a fight and Wuhua commits suicide.
Chu Liuxiang returns to his boathouse and realises that Su Rongrong, Li Hongxiu and Song Tian'er are missing. The three maidens are the closest to him besides his friends and he knows that they will not leave without notifying him. He sets forth on a long journey in search of them and reaches the desert. He meets his friends Hu Tiehua and Ji Bingyan there. Through a series of adventures, Chu Liuxiang defeats the extraordinary Shi Guanyin and her son Wuhua, who had apparently committed suicide previously. Shi Guanyin commits suicide after her defeat. However, Chu Liuxiang has not found the missing girls yet.
Chu Liuxiang has a series of adventures with Li Yuhan (李玉函) and his wife Liu Wumei (柳無眉). Liu Wumei is formerly a disciple of Shi Guanyin. He engages Shuimu Yinji (水母陰姬) in a dramatic battle that shocks the entire jianghu and emerges victorious. Chu Liuxiang exposes an evil scheme in front of Li Yuhan's father, Li Guanyu (李觀魚), and rescues the three missing maidens.
The five novels, Bianfu Chuanqi, Guilian Xiaqing, Taohua Chuanqi, Xinyue Chuanqi and Wuye Lanhua, are collectively known as the Chu Liuxiang Xinzhuan novel series.
Chu Liuxiang encounters a pair of lovers who are forbidden to be together by their parents. The lovers have apparently changed their souls after falling ill in order to trick their parents so that they can be together. Chu Liuxiang unravels the mystery behind the case and helps the lovers be together.
The end of this story resembles the famous paradox in the English short story The Lady, or the Tiger?.
The people living near the sea face constant raids from pirates. The imperial court dispatches the most famous sect in the jianghu, Jade Sword Manor (玉劍山莊), to eliminate the pirates. Unexpectedly, the elimination of the pirates leads to the emergence of a new pirate lord, Heavenly King Shi (史天王), who becomes the new threat to the Imperial Court on the sea. To make peace with King Shi, the imperial court asks the Jade Sword Manor's leader to offer her daughter Princess Jade Sword's (玉劍公主) hand in marriage to King Shi. This arouses the attention of several pugilists and sects in the jianghu. It is apparent that the jianghu is about to experience some turmoil soon. Chu Liuxiang seems to be the only one who can save them.
Wuxia
Wuxia is a broad genre of Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of martial artists. Although wuxia is traditionally a form of literature, its popularity has caused it to spread to diverse art forms like Chinese opera, manhua , films, television series, and video games...
novel series Chu Liuxiang Series (楚留香系列) by Gu Long
Gu Long
Xiong Yaohua , better known by his pen name Gu Long , was a Chinese novelist and screenwriter. Xiong is best known for writing wuxia novels and novel series, which include: Juedai Shuangjiao, Xiaoli Feidao Series, Chu Liuxiang Series, Lu Xiaofeng Series and Xiao Shiyilang...
.
Just like the Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxon may refer to:* Anglo-Saxons, a group that invaded Britain** Old English, their language** Anglo-Saxon England, their history, one of various ships* White Anglo-Saxon Protestant, an ethnicity* Anglo-Saxon economy, modern macroeconomic term...
legend of Robin Hood
Robin Hood
Robin Hood was a heroic outlaw in English folklore. A highly skilled archer and swordsman, he is known for "robbing from the rich and giving to the poor", assisted by a group of fellow outlaws known as his "Merry Men". Traditionally, Robin Hood and his men are depicted wearing Lincoln green clothes....
, Chu Liuxiang is a thief who robs from the rich to help the poor and one who upholds justice in the jianghu
Jianghu
The jianghu is the milieu, environment, or sub-community, often fictional, in which many Chinese wuxia stories are set.In modern Chinese culture, jianghu is commonly accepted as an alternative universe coexisting with the actual historical one in which the context of the wuxia genre was set...
. He is nicknamed "Daoshuai" (盜帥; Bandit Chief) or more popularly, "Xiangshuai" (香帥; Chief Xiang). He is intelligent and observant, kind and compassionate. His name "Liuxiang" literally means "lingering fragrance".
Personal information
Chu Liuxiang is a martial arts exponent whose prowess in qinggong is unmatched. He wields a fan as his weapon and uses it only for self-defence. He relies on his wit, experience and calm to solve several mysteries and overcome several enemies who are more powerful than him. The identity of Chu Liuxiang's martial arts teacher is unknown, and even the well-informed Shuimu Yinji (水母陰姬) could only deduce that he is a disciple of Ye Di (夜帝), a character from Daqi Yingxiong Zhuan (大旗英雄傳).Chu Liuxiang's age is not specified in the series as well and he is estimated to be around 30 years of age. In Bianfu Chuanqi (蝙蝠傳奇), Chu Liuxiang's childhood friend Hu Tiehua (胡鐵花) is said to be 33 years old. Chu Liuxiang's age is estimated to be close to Hu Tiehua's.
Chu Liuxiang resides on a boathouse called "Xiang Boathouse" (香榭), which also functions as his headquarters. Living together with him are three women, who are the closest people to him apart from his best friends, Hu Tiehua and Ji Bingyan (姬冰雁). They accompany him together in Tiexue Chuanqi (鐵血傳奇). They come from pitiful family backgrounds and have been following Chu Liuxiang on his adventures since they were 11 or 12. The first, Su Rongrong (蘇蓉蓉), is kind and understanding and specialises in the art of disguise. The second, Li Hongxiu (李紅袖), is very clear and alert and has a good memory. The third one, Song Tian'er (宋甜兒), is a good cook and is the most mischievous and adorable of the three. Chu Liuxiang also meets several other beautiful maidens on his adventures, such as Black Pearl (黑珍珠), Shi Xiuyun (石繡雲), Hua Zhenzhen (華真真), Dong Sanniang (東三娘) and Xinyue (新月). He marries Zhang Jiejie (张潔潔) eventually, whom he meets in Taohua Chuanqi (桃花傳奇).
Chu Liuxiang also has a wide network of friends. They include: Monk Wuhua (無花和尚), who becomes his foe later; Ji Bingyan, who appears cold and indifferent but is actually very warm-hearted; Zhongyuan Yidianhong (中原一點紅), a powerful swordsman; Zuo Qinghou (左輕侯), the hospitable master of Zhibei manor; "Swift Net" Zhang San (張三).
Chu Liuxiang Chuanqi
- Chinese title: 楚留香傳奇; literally: The Legend of Chu Liuxiang
The three novels, Xuehai Piaoxiang, Da Shamo and Huameiniao, are collectively known as Chu Liuxiang Chuanqi novel series.
Xuehai Piaoxiang
- Chinese title: 血海飄香; literally: Fragrance in the Sea of Blood
Chu Liuxiang steals a rare flower from the capital city and brings it back to his boathouse to take care of it himself. Later, he sees the corpses of several top pugilists in the jianghu
Jianghu
The jianghu is the milieu, environment, or sub-community, often fictional, in which many Chinese wuxia stories are set.In modern Chinese culture, jianghu is commonly accepted as an alternative universe coexisting with the actual historical one in which the context of the wuxia genre was set...
floating on the water surface drifting towards him. This arouses his interest and he decides to investigate their deaths. Meanwhile, the Heaven's One Holy Water (天一神水) of the Holy Water Palace (神水宮) is stolen and Chu Liuxiang becomes the suspect. Monk Wuhua is eventually revealed to be the mastermind behind all the mysterious events and murders. Chu Liuxiang confronts Wuhua and defeats him in a fight and Wuhua commits suicide.
Da Shamo
- Chinese title: 大沙漠; literally: The Vast Desert
Chu Liuxiang returns to his boathouse and realises that Su Rongrong, Li Hongxiu and Song Tian'er are missing. The three maidens are the closest to him besides his friends and he knows that they will not leave without notifying him. He sets forth on a long journey in search of them and reaches the desert. He meets his friends Hu Tiehua and Ji Bingyan there. Through a series of adventures, Chu Liuxiang defeats the extraordinary Shi Guanyin and her son Wuhua, who had apparently committed suicide previously. Shi Guanyin commits suicide after her defeat. However, Chu Liuxiang has not found the missing girls yet.
Huameiniao
- Chinese title: 畫眉鳥; literally: The Thrush
Chu Liuxiang has a series of adventures with Li Yuhan (李玉函) and his wife Liu Wumei (柳無眉). Liu Wumei is formerly a disciple of Shi Guanyin. He engages Shuimu Yinji (水母陰姬) in a dramatic battle that shocks the entire jianghu and emerges victorious. Chu Liuxiang exposes an evil scheme in front of Li Yuhan's father, Li Guanyu (李觀魚), and rescues the three missing maidens.
Chu Liuxiang Xinzhuan
- Chinese title: 楚留香新傳; literally: New Legend of Chu Liuxiang
The five novels, Bianfu Chuanqi, Guilian Xiaqing, Taohua Chuanqi, Xinyue Chuanqi and Wuye Lanhua, are collectively known as the Chu Liuxiang Xinzhuan novel series.
Guilian Xiaqing
- Chinese title: 鬼戀俠情; literally: Phantom Love and Heroic Romance
Chu Liuxiang encounters a pair of lovers who are forbidden to be together by their parents. The lovers have apparently changed their souls after falling ill in order to trick their parents so that they can be together. Chu Liuxiang unravels the mystery behind the case and helps the lovers be together.
Taohua Chuanqi
- Chinese title: 桃花傳奇; literally: Legend of the Peach Blossom
The end of this story resembles the famous paradox in the English short story The Lady, or the Tiger?.
Xinyue Chuanqi
- Chinese title: 新月傳奇; literally: Legend of the New Moon
The people living near the sea face constant raids from pirates. The imperial court dispatches the most famous sect in the jianghu, Jade Sword Manor (玉劍山莊), to eliminate the pirates. Unexpectedly, the elimination of the pirates leads to the emergence of a new pirate lord, Heavenly King Shi (史天王), who becomes the new threat to the Imperial Court on the sea. To make peace with King Shi, the imperial court asks the Jade Sword Manor's leader to offer her daughter Princess Jade Sword's (玉劍公主) hand in marriage to King Shi. This arouses the attention of several pugilists and sects in the jianghu. It is apparent that the jianghu is about to experience some turmoil soon. Chu Liuxiang seems to be the only one who can save them.
Films
| Year | | Production | | Chu Liuxiang | | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Shaw Brothers Studio Shaw Brothers Studio The Shaw Brothers Studio , owned by Shaw Brothers Ltd., was the foremost and the largest movie production company of Hong Kong movies.From their distribution base in Singapore where they founded parent company Shaw Organization in 1924, and as a strategic development of their movie distribution... (Hong Kong) |
Ti Lung Ti Lung Tommy Tam Fu-Wing, also known as Ti Lung , or Dik Lung, is a Hong Kong actor.-Background:He studied Wing Chun under the martial arts master Chu Wan. In 1969, Ti was found by the Shaw Brothers and cast in Return of the One-Armed Swordsman opposite Jimmy Wang Yu, a role which would launch his career... |
See Clans of Intrigue Clans of Intrigue Clans of Intrigue is a 1977 Hong Kong film adapted from Fragrance in the Sea of Blood of Gu Long's Chu Liuxiang novel series. The film was directed by Chor Yuen, produced by the Shaw Brothers Studio, and starred Ti Lung as the lead character... |
| 1978 | See Legend of the Bat Legend Of The Bat Legend of the Bat, also known as Bat Island Adventure or Clans of Intrigue 2, is a 1978 Hong Kong film adapted from Bianfu Chuanqi of Gu Long's Chu Liuxiang novel series. The film was directed and written by Chor Yuen, produced by the Shaw Brothers Studio, and starred Ti Lung as the lead character... |
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| 1979 | Taiwan | See The Legend of Broken Sword The Legend of Broken Sword The Legend of Broken Sword, also known as Dragon of the Lost Ark or Dressed to Fight, is a 1979 wuxia film directed by Ulysses Au-yeung and written by Gu Long... |
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| 1980 | Liu Dekai | Chinese title 楚留香傳奇 | |
| See Chu Liu Hsiang and Hu Tieh Hua Chu Liu Hsiang and Hu Tieh Hua Chu Liu Hsiang and Hu Tieh Hua is a 1980 Taiwanese film directed by Lin Ying, written and produced by Gu Long. The titular characters are from Gu Long's Chu Liuxiang novel series.-Cast:*Liu Dekai as Chu Liuxiang*James Tien as Hu Tiehua*Lee Kim-ping... |
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| Meng Fei | See Everlasting Chivalry Everlasting Chivalry Everlasting Chivalry is a 1980 Taiwanese film adapted from Gu Long's Chu Liuxiang novel series. The film was directed by Li Chao-yung and starred Meng Fei as the lead character.-Cast:*Meng Fei as Chu Liuxiang*Doris Lung*Nancy Yen*Yun Zhong-yue... |
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| See The Sun Moon Legend The Sun Moon Legend The Sun Moon Legend, also known as The Young Moon Legend, is a 1980 Taiwanese film adapted from Xinyue Chuanqi of Gu Long's Chu Liuxiang novel series... |
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| Chinese title 桃花傳奇 | |||
| Tin Hok | See Middle Kingdom's Mark of Blood Middle Kingdom's Mark of Blood Middle Kingdom's Mark of Blood, also known as Red Dot Chivalry, is a 1980 film adapted from Gu Long's Chu Liuxiang novel series.-Cast:*Ling Yun as Zhongyuan Yidianhong*Tin Hok as Chu Liuxiang*Doris Lung as Ouyang Feng... |
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| 1982 | Shaw Brothers Studio (Hong Kong) |
Ti Lung | See Perils of the Sentimental Swordsman Perils of the Sentimental Swordsman Perils of the Sentimental Swordsman is a 1982 Hong Kong film adapted from Youling Shanzhuang of Gu Long's Lu Xiaofeng novel series. In the film, the original protagonist, Lu Xiaofeng, was replaced by Chu Liuxiang, the lead character of another novel series by Gu Long. The film was directed by Chor... |
| Taiwan | Meng Fei | Chinese title 楚留香之彈指神功 | |
| 1983 | Adam Cheng Adam Cheng Adam Cheng Siu-chow is a Hong Kong TVB actor and Cantopop singer.-Career:Cheng started his career in the 1970s, where he gained a reputation for playing the lead roles in TVB Wuxia drama series based on the works of Louis Cha and Gu Long, such as The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber and Chor Lau Heung... |
See Demon Fighter Demon Fighter Demon Fighter is a 1983 Taiwanese film written by Gu Long. The film was directed by Chang Peng-i and starring Adam Cheng and Brigitte Lin. Alternative release titles for the film include: Orchids of Midnight; Night Orchid; Thirteen Moon Sword; Lone Ninja Warrior and Faster Blade Poisonous... |
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| See The Denouncement of Chu Liu Hsiang The Denouncement of Chu Liu Hsiang The Denouncement of Chu Liu Hsiang, alternatively known as Legendary Swordsman or Titanium Blade, is a 1983 Taiwanese film written by Gu Long... |
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| 1993 | Meng Fei | Chinese title 楚留香後傳之西門無恨 | |
| Hong Kong | Aaron Kwok Aaron Kwok Aaron Kwok Fu-shing is a Hong Kong singer, dancer and actor. He has been active since the 1980s to the present. The media refer to him, Jacky Cheung, Andy Lau and Leon Lai as the Cantopop Four Heavenly Kings . Kwok's onstage dancing and displays is influenced by Michael Jackson... |
See Legend of the Liquid Sword Legend of the Liquid Sword Legend of the Liquid Sword is a 1993 Hong Kong wuxia comedy film loosely based on Gu Long's Chu Liuxiang novel series. The film was written and directed by Wong Jing.-Plot:... |
Television
| Year | | Production | | Chu Liuxiang | | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | TVB Television Broadcasts Limited Television Broadcasts Limited, commonly known as TVB, is the second over-the-air commercial television station in Hong Kong. It commenced broadcasting on 19 November 1967... (Hong Kong) |
Adam Cheng Adam Cheng Adam Cheng Siu-chow is a Hong Kong TVB actor and Cantopop singer.-Career:Cheng started his career in the 1970s, where he gained a reputation for playing the lead roles in TVB Wuxia drama series based on the works of Louis Cha and Gu Long, such as The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber and Chor Lau Heung... |
See Chor Lau-heung (1979 TV series) |
| RTV Rediffusion Television Rediffusion Television was the first television station in Hong Kong, established on May 29, 1957, making it both the first British colony and the first predominantly Chinese city to have television... (Hong Kong) |
Poon Chi-man | Chinese title 俠盜風流 | |
| 1984 | TVB (Hong Kong) | Michael Miu Michael Miu Michael Miu Kiu-wai is a Hong Kong television and film actor. He was considered as one of the most popular young actors of the 1980s, and along with Tony Leung, Andy Lau, Felix Wong, and Kent Tong, he was a member of TVB's Five Tigers... |
See The New Adventures of Chor Lau-heung (1984 TV series) The New Adventures of Chor Lau-heung (1984 TV series) The New Adventures of Chor Lau-heung is a Hong Kong television series adapted from Chu Liuxiang Xinzhuan of Gu Long's Chu Liuxiang novel series. Michael Miu starred as the titular protagonist, Chor Lau-heung . The series was first broadcast on TVB from November 12, 1984 to January 4, 1985... |
| 1985 | CTV China Television China Television Company, Ltd. was established on September 3, 1968 by the then-ruling Nationalist Party of the Republic of China . The party owned the majority stake of the network... (Taiwan) |
Adam Cheng | See Chor Lau-heung (1985 TV series) Chor Lau-heung (1985 TV series) Chor Lau-heung is a Taiwanese television series adapted from Chu Liuxiang Xinzhuan of Gu Long's Chu Liuxiang novel series. Adam Cheng starred as the titular protagonist, Chor Lau-heung . The series was divided into four parts, each comprising five episodes and with a different director. It was... |
| 1995 | TTV Taiwan Television Taiwan Television Enterprise, Ltd. , commonly known as TTV is launched), is the first television broadcast station in Taiwan... (Taiwan) |
See Chor Lau-heung (1995 TV series) Chor Lau-heung (1995 TV series) Chor Lau-heung is a Taiwanese television series adapted from Gu Long's Chu Liuxiang novel series. The story is a new creation by the screenwriters and has little relevance to the original novels. Adam Cheng starred as the titular protagonist, Chor Lau-heung... |
|
| 2000 | Taiwan | Chinese title 西門無恨 | |
| 2001 | Co-production | Richie Ren Richie Ren Richie Jen is a Taiwanese singer and actor. He has become extremely popular throughout Asia, particularly in the Chinese-speaking countries. He graduated from the Chinese Culture University's physical education department.-Films:... |
See The New Adventures of Chor Lau-heung (2001 TV series) |
| 2007 | Mainland China | Ken Chu Ken Chu Ken Chu |F4]]. Educated in Singapore , he speaks Mandarin, Cantonese and English.-Biography:Chu was working as a waiter in Taiwan when he was discovered by Cai Zhiping, the creator of the boy band F4... |
See The Legend of Chu Liuxiang |
Video games
- Chu Liuxiang Xinzhuan (楚留香新傳) - a RPG released in 2001 by Taiwan's UserJoy TechnologyUserJoy TechnologyUserJoy Technology , founded in Taiwan since 1995, is a company involved in PC single-player/MMO game development, publishing and maintenance.With its R&D studio and distribution company in Beijing and the publishing subsidiary, Userjoy Japan Co...
. The game's story line is based on four novels in the series: Guilian Xiaqing, Taohua Chuanqi, Xinyue Chuanqi and Wuye Lanhua.
External links
Chu Liuxiang on Baidu BaikeBaidu Baike
Baidu Encyclopedia is a Chinese language collaborative Web-based encyclopedia provided by the Chinese search engine Baidu. Like Baidu itself, the encyclopedia is heavily self-censored in line with government regulations....
- English translation of Xuehai Piaoxiang at Wuxiapedia