Daguanyuan Entrance
Daguanyuan Banquet Hall
Yihongyuan (Night)
Yihongyuan (Day)
Yihongyuan Interior (Evening)
Yihongyuan Interior (Day)
Yihongyuan Interior (Night)
Tubitang
Tubitang (Atop the platform)
Round 2 Evaluations Assembly
Round 2 Evaluations Assembly Grand Lift
Path to Tiekan Temple
Bridge to Tiekan Temple
Tiekan Temple Exterior
Gate of Tiekan Temple
Tiekan Temple Interior
Tiekan Temple Interior (Post Cleansing)
Tiekan Temple Interior (Broken)
Daguanyuan
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| “ | ” | |
–Hong Lu, as Lord of Hongyuan | ||
Daguanyuan, the Grand View Garden, is the supreme governing body of Hongyuan. It is made up of the four families Jia, Shi, Xue, and Wang, the major factions of Canto VIII: The Surrendered Witnessing.
Overview
Daguanyuan (Mandarin: 大观园; 大觀園, pinyin: Dàguānyuán) is a colossal residence at the very top of Nest H, in which the four ancient houses Jia, Shi, Xue and Wang, as well as a number of minor houses, reside. The people of Daguanyuan are the elites of District 8, and their leader controls the entirety of Hongyuan.
Being the residence of the Hierarch and head of H Corp., Daguanyuan is rarely subject to the effects of Hongyuan's Restructuring Day, never losing any room, and instead gaining more.[1] Each inhabitant of Daguanyuan resides in their own building together with their personal servants. Members of the same family do not live together; this extends to parents and their children, as well as siblings, all of whom have a personal building at their disposal. Communal areas in Daguanyuan include the banquet hall, where members of various families may commune.
The ruler of Daguanyuan, the Family Hierarch and the Executive Director, is chosen through what is called the Family Hierarch Evaluation, or more commonly the Family Hierarch war. The Evaluation is a process with various stages, where the candidates must complete two trials to prove themselves worthy to the previous Hierarch, before being approved by the Xianren, the enlightened family elders, and sitting themselves on the Hierarch's throne.
During the first trial, the candidates must present to the Hierarch their answer to the question of three freedoms: one from aging, one from death, and one from brevity of life.[2] The second trial consists of a competition in which the candidates, together with their clan, are locked in a subterranean arena and given a number of coins. The candidates compete for the possession of each other's coins, which can be freely given, taken by force by defeating other candidates, or obtained by exploring the various areas of the arena, modeled after the old Kong Family building. The candidates' final placement are based on the amount of coins in their possession by the time of their retreat from the building. The participants that place in the top ten spots are allowed to take one item from the family's treasury, with the participants that placed the highest going first.
The winning candidate gains the right to claim the title of Family Hierarch. At the end of the second round, Daguanyuan experiences a period of power vacuum, as the Heishou Packs become a neutral party, answering to no master until the winning candidate sits upon the Hierarch's throne.
To be acclaimed as the new Hierarch, the winning candidate must then visit the Tiekan Temple to pay respects to the Xianren and receive an Anamnaworm from the previous Hierarch who carried it. This Anamnaworm, the Xianhuang Worm, or Anamnaworm of the Immortal Emperor, is a metamorphized form of the founding Hierarch of Hongyuan, that carries the will and the accumulated knowledge of all the previous Hierarchs. The Hierarch-to-be must then allow the previous Hierarch to implant it into their body, an experience which profoundly shakes one's psyche, connecting their feelings and reason with that of all the previous Hierarchs. Due to this connection, the Hierarch becomes similarly enthralled in the pursuit of immortality, and will eventually join the Xianren and spend the rest of their days in the Tiekan Temple.
Afterwards, the candidate must proceed back to the main building of Daguanyuan, and be seated upon the Hierarch's throne. Upon completing this ritual, the candidate officially becomes the Hierarch, and gains control of their Heishou Packs.
Daguanyuan was led by Jia Mu, an elder of the Jia family and former head of the Wing. After the events of Canto VIII: The Surrendered Witnessing, Jia Xichun becomes the new Hierarch and head of the Wing, and the first to not carry the Xianhuang Worm.
Jia Family
The Jia family is a powerful family at the head of Hongyuan, which Hong Lu hails from. The Jia family is the most prestigious of the houses of Daguanyuan, their power having remained great and stable for many decades,[3][4] despite their glory having been overshadowed by the Kong Family for a certain period, around two decades prior to the events of the main story. The Jia family are renowned for their cunning, their skill in Bolus crafting[5] and their capacity for deception.[6] They are directly served by the Jialan Guards, who have sworn utter loyalty to the Family Hierarch and Daguanyuan.
As the most prominent family of Daguanyuan, the Jia family presented a great number of candidates for the Family Hierarch Evaluation. Among them, notable ones are Jia Huan, Jia Xichun, the Kong family remnant Jia Qiu, and the surprise entry Jia Baoyu, jade of the family. All four passed the first round of evaluation and survived the second. Jia Xichun placed first and obtained the title of Family Hierarch, with Jia Baoyu and Jia Huan respectively placing second and third.
Following Jia Xichun's victory, Jia Yuanchun conspired, together with the Shi and Xue families, to overthrow the results and seize the power in Hongyuan by force. After the conspiracy failed and Jia Xichun ascended to the throne, Jia Yuanchun made herself scarce.
Members
| Jia Family | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Main Family
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| Jia Xichun Family Hierarch, H Corp. Executive Director |
Jia Mu Former Family Hierarch |
Jia Yuanchun Q Corp. affiliate | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jia Zheng Jia Baoyu's father |
Lady Wang Jia Baoyu's mother |
Jia Baoyu Family member | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jia Huan Family member |
Daguanyuan's Jia Huan Family member |
Jia Qiu Family member | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retainers
(non-relatives) |
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| Wei Jia Xichun's servant |
Xiren Hong Lu's servant |
Zigong Jia Qiu's student |
Qingtao Former Jia family servant |
Shi Family
The Shi family is one of the four great families of Daguanyuan. The former Family Hierarch Jia Mu, née Shi Miyin, descended from the Shi family: at the times of her grandfather, the Shi family was known to be one the most prestigious families of Hongyuan, towering even above the Jia family,[7] although with time, they underwent a great decline,[3] losing the station and the respect they used to command. The Shi family seems to be known to be highly ambitious, yet lacking the qualifications and ability to maintain their power.
The Shi family members are also regularly accompanied by their mercenaries, and make use of axes in combat.[5]
During the Family Hierarch Evaluation of 985, at least four members from the Shi family participated as candidates: Shi Yihua, who was decapitated by a Heishou of the Si Branch and unable to participate to the first round but joined Wang Dawei during the second, Shi Dazhen, who failed to appear at the first round of the evaluation and was eliminated by default, Shi Huazhen and Shi Sijing, who were eliminated on the second round, defeated by Jia Baoyu's entourage.
Additionally, the Shi family hired the New League of Nine Littérateurs: a small faction led by the League member Jia Huan would join the Evaluation and void the result in the occasion that a Shi family candidate failed to win.
After the second round of Evaluations and Jia Xichun's victory, the Shi family aligned itself with the Xue family and Jia Yuanchun to conspire against Hongyuan. It is suggested the same influential member of the Shi family that ordered Shi Yihua's execution was the one behind this.
Members
| Shi Family | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Main Family
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| Shi Miyin Former Family Hierarch |
Shi Huazhen Family member |
Shi Sijing Family member |
Shi Yihua Family member | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Xue Family
The Xue family is one of the four great families of Daguanyuan. The Xue family is known to be prestigious, with other houses such as the Lin family answering to their service, but it is infamous for the greed of its members.[6] The Xue family is also served by a group of vagabond warriors that wield podao broadswords in combat.
A prominent member of the Xue family is suggested to be Xue Pan and Xue Baochai's mother, who seems to be a strict woman with little regard for her children's lives. The lady Xue was also responsible for sending a group of assassins led by the Night Drifter after Jia Baoyu's clan on the night after the first round of evaluations.
During the Family Hierarch Evaluation, at least three members of the Xue family participated as candidates: the siblings Xue Baochai and Xue Pan, who both passed the first round, and a third member who was eliminated during the first round.
After the second round of Evaluations and Jia Xichun's victory, the Xue family aligned itself with the Shi family and Jia Yuanchun to conspire against Hongyuan. Notably, Xue Baochai went against this plan, personally warning Hong Lu of the conspiracy. After Jia Xichun's ascension, she was taken in by Jia Yuanchun with the purpose of discussing her betrayal to her family.
Members
| Xue Family | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Main Family
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| Xue Baochai Family member |
Xue Pan Family member | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retainers
(non-relatives) |
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| Lin Daiyu Xue Baochai's former servant |
Night Drifter Xue family assassin |
Wang Family
The Wang family is one of the four great families of Daguanyuan. The Wang family appears to be involved with a "spirit talisman school" of Deathrite Monks, and they make use of talismans in combat.[5] Despite their role as a noble family, the Wangs are ultimately subordinate to the Jias, and their family is noted for its economic inferiority to other clans.[6] A prominent member of the family, Lady Wang, married into the Jia family, and gave birth to Jia Baoyu.
During the Family Hierarch Evaluation of 985, at least four members from the Wang family participated as candidates: Wang Ren, who was eliminated in the first round, Wang Dawei and Wang Qingshan, both of whom were eliminated in the second round, and Wang Zhao, who forfeited.
After the second round of Evaluations and Jia Xichun's victory, the Wang family aligned itself with the Jia family to protect Hongyuan against the intruders.
Members
| Wang Family | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Main Family
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| Lady Wang Married into the Jia family |
Wang Dawei Family member |
Wang Qingshan Family member |
Wang Ren Family member |
Wang Zhao Family member | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gallery
Jia Xichun Story Log Portrait
Jia Mu Story Log Portrait
Jia Yuanchun Story Log Portrait
Jia Zheng Story Log Portrait
Lady Wang Story Log Portrait
Jia Huan Story Log Portrait
Jia Qiu Story Log Portrait
Wei Story Log Portrait
Xiren Story Log Portrait
Zigong Story Log Portrait
Qingtao Story Log Portrait
Heavy Shi Family Mercenary
Cool-headed Clan Member
Shi Huazhen Story Log Portrait
Shi Sijing Story Log Portrait
Shi Yihua Story Log Portrait
Heavy Shi Family Mercenary Story Log Portrait
Cool-headed Clan Member Story Log Portrait
Large Podao Assailant
Furtive Podao Assailant
Xue Baochai Story Log Portrait
Xue Pan Story Log Portrait
Lin Daiyu Story Log Portrait
Large Podao Assailant Story Log Portrait
Furtive Podao Assailant Story Log Portrait
Wang Family Child
Wang Dawei Story Log Portrait
Wang Qingshan Story Log Portrait
Wang Ren Story Log Portrait
Wang Zhao Story Log Portrait
Wang Family Child Story Log Portrait
Elder in a Jar
Elder in a Machine
Elder in Monk Robes
Xianren Elder
Xianren Elder
Xianren Elder
Elder in a Jar Story Log Portrait
Elder in a Machine Story Log Portrait
Elder in Monk Robes Story Log Portrait
Xianren Elder Story Log Portrait
Xianren Elder Story Log Portrait
Xianren Elder Story Log Portrait
Busy-looking Servant
Jia Mu's Servant
Refined Servant
Reticent Servant
Suffering Attendant
Busy-looking Servant Story Log Portrait
Jia Mu's Servant Story Log Portrait
Refined Servant Story Log Portrait
Reticent Servant Story Log Portrait
Trivia
- The four great families of Daguanyuan take their names from the four main families featured in Cao Xueqin's novel Dream of the Red Chamber.
- The various locations within Daguanyuan also mirror those in the novel:
Yihongyuan , Hong Lu's residence: refers to Yihongyuan (Mandarin: 怡红院), Jia Baoyu's residence in the novel.Hengwuyuan , Baochai's residence: refers to Hengwuyuan (Mandarin: 蘅芜苑), Xue Baochai's residence in the novel.Nuanxiangwu , presumably Xichun's residence (mentioned in Family Hierarch Candidate Ishmael's Identity Story): refers to Nuanxiangwu (Mandarin: 暖香坞), Jia Xichun's residence in the novel.Dahuating , the hall for the welcoming party upon Hong Lu and Xichun's arrival: refers to Dahuating (Mandarin: 大花厅), the banquet hall of Daguanyuan.Tubitang , the hall for Round 1 Evaluations: refers to Tubitang (Mandarin: 凸碧堂), a building atop a hill in Daguanyuan, offering excellent view of the moon at Mid-Autumn.- Aojingguan, the hall where the banquet at the end of the Family Hierarch Evaluations is held: refers to Aojingguan (Mandarin: 凹晶馆; Incurvated Crystal Lodge), a building beside a lake in Daguanyuan, also a place for appreciating the moon. Aojingguan and Tubitang are next to each other and are a complementary pair.
- Tiekan Temple, where the Xianren reside: refers to Tiekan Temple (Mandarin: 铁槛寺; Iron Threshold Temple), the family ancestry temple of Jia Family. 'Iron threshold' symbolizes the effort to eternally preserve worldly splendour and prosperity, which is nevertheless futile as death is inevitable. In the game, the Xianren's striving towards eternal life potentially echoes this metaphor in the novel.
References
- ↑ Canto 8-2 - Hong Lu: "Daguanyuan, my old home, was never too concerned about the Restructuring Days. We’d get more rooms some days, but we’d never, ever shrink."
- ↑ Canto 8-10
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Heishou Pack - Si Branch Gregor/Voicelines, Post-Uptie Chat 1
- ↑ Canto 8-10 - Jia Mu: "Many scores ago, I ascended to the seat of Jia Mu with a stroke of fortune. Yet, a lifetime has passed since I assumed this great responsibility."
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Acquisition of Family Artifacts Dungeon Event
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 The Lord of Hongyuan Hong Lu/Identity Story
- ↑ Canto 8-20
