But the new ruler, Duke Huan of Qi, still bore a grudge against Guan, since Guan had tried to assassinate him. With Guan's repatriation, the two friends were reunited. Subsequently, the new ruler won the war against the State of Lu which sheltered Prince Jiu and tried to enforce his claim.Ĭonsequently, Qi pressured Lu to kill the prince and send Guan back. Bao, meanwhile, became tutor to Jiu's brother, Prince Xiaobai.Īfter a series of murders and coups, Prince Xiaobai became Duke Huan of Qi, the state's new ruler. The two friends later entered politics as tutors to two princes of Qi. Guan also fled battlefields on multiple occasions, and Bao made exceptions for Guan's need to take care of his elderly mother rather than accusing him of cowardice. Guan was dismissed from his posts several times, but Bao believed Guan was not given enough opportunities to fully demonstrate his abilities. Bao was well aware of this but never accused him of avarice, on account of Guan's poverty. But Guan always took a greater share of the profits than he actually deserved.
Known for being a loyal friend, Bao could always comprehend Guan's difficulties and feelings, and never blamed him for his failures and shortcomings.īefore entering politics, they were engaged in business and took part in joint ventures together. Nevertheless, the two became best friends, and Bao admired Guan's talent and erudition.
They were born in Yingshang, in modern-day Anhui province in East China, and became acquainted with each other at an early age.Ĭompared to Guan's family, Bao's was relatively wealthy. Among such tales, the story of Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya is a good case in point.ĭespite the passage of time since it was recorded by historians, the saga of their friendship has always been regarded as a fine example for junzi, the moral exemplar in Chinese philosophy.īoth Guan and Bao were politicians during the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476 BC), under Qi Huangong, or Duke Huan of Qi, the ruler of the State of Qi, and the first of the five overlords of that era. True friends always stay united in spirit, as exemplified and lauded in Chinese folk tales throughout history.
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