The Lacquer Screen

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Note that in Chinese the surname—here printed in capitals—precedes the personal name

Main characters

DEE Jen-djieh Magistrate of the district Peng-lai. In the present novel he is staying for a few days in Wei-ping, another district in Shantung Province

CHIAO Tai one of his lieutenants, who accompanies him on the trip

Persons connected with 'The Case of the Lacquer Screen'

TENG Kan magistrate of the district Wei-ping

Mrs TENG nee WOO, his wife, called Silver Lotus

PAN Yoo-te his counsellor

Persons connected with 'The Case of the Credulous Merchant'

KO Chih-yuan a wealthy silk merchant

Mrs KO nee HSIEH, his wife

PIEN Hoong a soothsayer

Persons connected with 'The Case of the Poked Accounts'

LENG Chien a banker

LENG Te his younger brother, a painter

KUN-SHAN a thief

Others

'The Corporal' (LIU Woo) boss of the underworld of Wei-ping

'The Student' (HSIA Liang) a young hoodlum

Carnation a prostitute