Duke of Mount Deer 2000

infobox television
show_name = The Duke of Mount Deer


caption =
format = Wuxia, Drama
runtime = 45 mins (per episode)
creator = Jinyong (novel)
starring = See Cast below
country = Co-Prodution of Taiwan and Hong Kong
num_episodes = 40
imdb_id = |

The Duke of Mount Deer 2000 (Traditional Chinese: 鹿鼎記 / 小寶與康熙; Simplified Chinese: 鹿鼎记 / 小宝与康熙; pinyin: Lù Dǐng Jì / xiǎo bǎo yǔ kāng xī) is a Taiwanese and Hong Kong TVB co-production released in 2000, adapted from novel The Deer and the Cauldron (Chinese: 鹿鼎記; literal translation: The Deer and the Cauldron) by notable Hong Kong fiction author Louis Cha (pen name: Jinyong/金庸). Another translated name of the story is The Duke of Mount Deer. First broadcasted on 2000 in Hong Kong which was followed by subsequent broadcasts in other Asian countries.

Plot Summary

This production is a more recent, and somewhat more loose adaptation of Jin Yong's last and most distinctive Wuxia novel "The Deer and the Cauldron". The story is centred around an uneducated street urchin Wei Xiao Bao, who was born and raised in a brothel by his mother. Through a series of misdaventures, he managed to make his way from the southern playground of Yangzhou to Beijing, the seat of Manchurian imperial power, and bumbling accidentally into a fateful encounter with young Emperor Kang Xi. By hook or by crook, but also through a genuine concern and fierce loyalty towards his "mate" the Emperor, Xiao Bao found himself in the greatest of confidences and a complicated friendship of one of the most eminent monarchs of Chinese history.

The plot follows Xiao Bao on a rags to riches journey as Xiao Bao becomes embroiled in political and court intrigues, overcoming enemies for Kang Xi and accomplishing amazing achievements. Along the way, Xiao Bao meets with and successfully woos seven beautiful women, climbs his way up the social ladder from brothel boy to great lord and nobleman, acquiring titles such as Imperial Emissary and Plenipotenitary, Ambassador, general and admiral- courtesy of Kang Xi- as well as finding himself in positions completely at odds with the above: Green Wood Lodge Master of the Heaven and Earth Guild (a precursor of the modern-day triads), and White Dragon Marshal of the Mystical Dragons Sect.

In the end, however, Xiao Bao could not reconcile his two separate lives- as an anti-Qing rebel and Kang Xi's devoted courtier. He chose to offer up his own life- in return for the Emperor's munificence towards him and also as an honourable way out of the Heaven and Earth Sect. Pained and aggrieved beyond words, Kang Xi orders the execution of his one and only true friend. Afterwards, plagued by loss and guilt, Kang Xi took a long walk along the Great Wall, asking heaven for guidance- only to be happily surprised by the appearance of Xiao Bao, who didn't die after all. After saving his mate's life once again, Xiao Bao bades goodbye to Kang Xi, reaffirming their friendship which will, from that point onwards, remain only in the minds and memories of the two men.

Main cast

* Dicky Cheung (張衛健) as Wei Xiaobao
* Patrick Tam (譚耀文) as Emperor Kangxi
* Ruby Lin (林心如) as Princess Jianning
* Annie Wu (吳辰君) as Shuang Er
* Athena Chu (朱茵) as A Ke
* Teresa Mak (麥家琪) as Fang Yi
* Monica Chan (陳德容) as Long Yi
* Shu Qi (舒淇) as Xiao Jin Yu
* Jessie Cheung (張茜) as Mu Jian Ping
* Huang Ie Fei (黃一飛) as Duo Long
* Bryan Leung (梁家仁) as Hu Dedi
* Ekin Cheng (鄭伊健) as Chan Jinnan
* Ng Man Tat (吳孟達) as Hai Kung Kung
* Chen Kuan Tai as Hong An Tong
* Cheng Jui Siau as Zhen Ke Shuang

Characters Info

; Wei Xiao Baois the witty & loveable young man from Li Chun Yuan, and is forever close friend with the emperor Kang Xi.

; Emperor Kang XiDespite being powerful, he has only one good friend he can entrust, Xiao Bao. It is a rare case that a royal leader would befriend anyone.

; Princess Jian Ningis the attractive and playful princess who loves Xiao Bao deeply ,but Xiao Bao is always afraid of her threatening him, in order to save his own life, he let her boss him around. But as time goes on, we see that he also loves her, what a pity that she died protecting him at the end.

; Shuang Eris a maid sent by Hu De Di to take care of Xiao Bao. She knows most about him & is very forgiving. Without a doubt, she is the one whom Xiao Bao trusts the most.

; Mu Jian Pingis the first woman that Xiao Bao is attracted to in the palace. Xiao Bao first meets with the princess when she is kidnapped by a member of Tian Di leader sect. Her characteristic is as of a child making Xiao Bao very concerned about her.

; Ah Keis the woman that Xiao Bao loves the most. He fell in love with her at first sight. Though she hated him at first because he seems like an annoying pervert, but then later on after all that they go through, she finally falls in love with him.

; Long Yiis a disciple of Hong An Tong. Her master sends her to palace to find the Eight Books of Forty-two Chapters. To accomplish her master's desire, she disguises as the mother of the emperor Kang Xi. She is well-versed in martial arts.

; Fang Yiis Jian Ping one sect sister. She is very aggressive, witty and a sweet talker. At first she hates him, thinking he is a pervert but then later falls for him after knowing how sweet he is.

; Xiao Jin Yu is Xiao Bao's first love. Xiao Bao makes a promise to marry her as soon as he gets rich. Unfortunately, they are not destined to be together. She commits suicide when her parents force her to marry another man.

Differences with the novel

They have a very different ending as far as Wei Xiao bao's personal life goes (he ends up with 5 wives, only marries 6), and they added a "Little Goldfish," who was his first love (Xiao Jin Yu )--took out his other wife. They changed the story around some too, such as the backgrounds of some of the wives. Ending not like other 2.

Costume Descriptions

* Princess Jian NingIn order to make her noble elegance stand off, Princess Kin Ning has a pink base. She has plenty of jewelry as decoration. Sum Yu said the big butterfly on her head was to make Kin Ning's naughty personality stand out. When she walks she does not feel she is flowing.

* Fang YiFong Yi's costume specialty is the cute collar which made the role especially fresh.

* Long YiWith Chinese flavored stitches, Gypsy head wrap and scarves, this Holy Dragon Cult Lady Saint is outrageous and attractive.

* Shuang ErHer movement has to look a lot smoother. So her costume is a gong fu style

External links

* [http://www.cts.com.tw/prog/drama/lu.htm/ CTS Official Duke Mount Deer 2000 site]
* [http://www.gtv.com.tw/program/lu/ GTV Official Duke of Mount Deer 2000 site]