Note that in Chinese the surname—here printed in capitals—precedes the personal name.
Main characters
DEE Jen-djieh Magistrate of Poo-yang, a thriving district in Central China, on the Grand Canal
HOONG Liang his trusted personal adviser, Sergeant of the tribunal
Persons connected with 'The Case of the Dead Drummer'
PIEN Kia a doctor of medicine
TONG Mai & SIA Kwang vagrant students of literature
Persons connected with 'The Case of the Murdered Slave-maid'
KOU Yuan-liang a wealthy collector of curios
Mrs Kou, named his First Lady Gold Lotus
The Amber Lady his secondary wife, a former slave-girl
Persons connected with 'The Case of the Emperor's Pearl'
YANG owner of a large antique shop
KWANG Min a drug-dealer from the capital
Others
SHENG Pa Head of the Beggars' Guild
Miss Violet LIANG Owner of a training hall. Original Mongolian name Altan Tsetseg Khatun, 'Golden Flower Princess'