The Duke of Mount Deer

A quick-witted rogue named Wei Xiaobao rises from obscurity to unexpected influence in a showy retelling of Louis Cha's novel. The series follows his unlikely friendship with powerful figures at the Qing court, his tangled romantic life with several memorable women, and his knack for turning petty schemes into survival strategies. Tone flips between humor and serious political maneuvering, and the episodes balance action, comic set pieces, and quieter character moments without revealing the story's larger surprises.

First broadcast in Hong Kong in 2000, this TV adaptation credits Louis Cha as creator and leans on a strong ensemble, starring Dicky Cheung, Ruby Lin, Shu Qi, Athena Chu, and Annie Wu. It circulated across Asian markets after its initial run.

The series did not collect major international awards, and there’s no record of top-tier prizes tied to this version. It did, however, generate attention because of its cast and the popularity of the source novel, earning notice within regional television discussions even if it didn’t dominate award season.

As one among many screen versions of The Deer and the Cauldron, this production fed into the long-running appetite for Louis Cha adaptations. Fans of the novel recognize familiar scenes and character pairings, and performers’ interpretations spurred conversation about how to play Wei Xiaobao’s mix of charm and moral ambiguity. It sits in local pop culture as a recognizable, if not definitive, take on a well-loved story.

Critical and audience reaction was mixed, reflected in a modest user score of 5.6/10 from a small number of votes. Reviewers and viewers often pointed to uneven pacing and jarring tonal shifts, while others appreciated the cast chemistry and the way the series toys with loyalty, identity, and the absurdities of court politics. If you like genre blends with a roguish lead, this one will feel familiar and occasionally entertaining.