NGC PF70 2024 Niue $1 Legend of Chu Series III - Li Hong Xiu #111 MC304

Chu Liuxiang (楚留香) is the fictional protagonist of the wuxia novel series Chu Liuxiang Series by Gu Long. His given name "Liuxiang" literally means "lingering fragrance". Nicknamed "Daoshuai" (盜帥; "Bandit Chief") or "Xiangshuai" (香帥; "Chief Xiang"), he steals from the rich to help the poor and upholds justice in the jianghu (martial artists' community). He has been portrayed in numerous films and television series adapted from the novel series by notable actors such as Ti Lung, Adam Cheng, Michael Miu, Richie Ren, Ken Chu, and Ken Chang.

Chu Liuxiang is a martial artist whose prowess in qinggong is among the best in the jianghu. He carries a metal hand fan and uses it only for self-defence. Despite his combat skills and impressive qinggong, he has never killed anyone. Usually, he relies on his wit, experience and calm to solve mysteries and overcome enemies who are far more powerful than him. The identity of his martial arts master is unknown, and even the well-informed Shuimu Yinji (水母陰姬) could only deduce that he is an apprentice of Ye Di (夜帝), a character from Daqi Yingxiong Zhuan, another of Gu Long's novels.

Although his age is not mentioned in any of the novels, Chu Liuxiang is in his 30s when the events of the novels take place. In Bianfu Chuanqi, his childhood friend, Hu Tiehua (胡鐵花), is 33, so Chu Liuxiang is presumably around the same age as him since they grew up together.

Chu Liuxiang lives on a houseboat, called "Xiang's Pavilion" (香榭), with three women who are the closest to him apart from his two best friends, Hu Tiehua and Ji Bingyan (姬冰雁). They come from pitiful backgrounds and have been following Chu Liuxiang 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, Song Tian'er (宋甜兒), is a good chef and is the most mischievous of the three. Chu Liuxiang also meets several other women on his adventures, such as Heizhenzhu (黑珍珠), Shi Xiuyun (石繡雲), Hua Zhenzhen (華真真), Dong Sanniang (東三娘), and Xinyue (新月). He eventually marries Zhang Jiejie (張潔潔), whom he meets in Taohua Chuanqi.

A legendary figure in the jianghu, Chu Liuxiang has a wide network of friends, acquaintances and contacts, including: Hu Tiehua, his childhood friend who has a penchant for alcoholic drinks; Ji Bingyan, who appears cold and indifferent but is actually very warm-hearted; Wuhua (無花), a Buddhist monk who later turns out to be a villain; Zhongyuan Yidianhong (中原一點紅), a powerful swordsman and contract killer; Zuo Qinghou (左輕侯), the hospitable master of Cup-Throwing Manor; Zhang San (張三), a marine expert.