ExclusiveTraditional Chinese Tales: Friendship Between Guan and Bao

Friendship between Guan and Bao During the spring and autumn period BC 770-476, Guan Zhong, the famous prime minister of the state of Qi, played a crucial role in assisting Duke Huan and establishing Qi as the dominant power in the east. Guan had a good friend named Bao Shuya, with whom he had grown up. Bao came from a wealthier family than Guan. They had once partnered in business, and whenever they made a profit, Guan would always take a larger share. Their friends thought Bao was foolish for suffering such a loss. Bao is really foolish. He does business together with Guan Zhong, and they claim to be partners. But the capital all came from Bao. So why should Guan take a larger share? At least they should split it equally. However, Bao responded, you don't understand. Guan comes from a poor background and has an elderly mother to support. It is only fair for him to receive a little more. This, Bao's words left his friends speechless. Guan and Bao had also fought together on the battlefield. During these battles, Guan always hit at the back, showing no courage, which made people quite dissatisfied with him. When Bao learned about this, he explained to others, the reason Guan hesitated to fight bravely is that his mother is old, and he is her only son. If anything were to happen to him, there would be no one to take care of her. This explanation left the people once again speechless. Later, Guan held several official positions, but he was dismissed each time due to poor performance, and everyone mocked him. After learning of this, Bao defended him. In fact, Guan is not incapable, he just has had bad luck. These minor roles are not suitable for him. He possesses great abilities and can accomplish much greater things. Eventually, Guan assisted Prince Zhou but failed once again, while Prince Xiaobai, who Bao supported, emerged to take control of the state of Qi. Prince Xiaobai later became Duke Huan. After ascending to the throne, Duke Huan immediately summoned Bao and said, our country has endured a long period of turmoil, and now it has finally stabilized. To ensure that our citizens can live well in the future, I would like to appoint you as prime minister to help me govern the state. Unexpectedly, Bao declined the offer. He replied, thank you for your trust and for considering me for the role of prime minister. However, I truly do not have the capability to take on such an important responsibility. If you won't help me, how can I govern the state well? The duke asked. Bao responded, your majesty, I recommend someone else. He is the most suitable candidate for the prime minister. Who? Guan. Guan? I would rather kill him than appoint him as prime minister. Your majesty, at that time, Guan was serving Prince Zhou. His desire to harm you stemmed from loyalty to his master, not from any personal hatred towards you. Bao continued, your majesty, do you want to make the state of Qi strong and become the leader of China? Of course. Then you must put aside the unpleasant past and appoint Guan. Only he can help you achieve this goal. All right. Thus, Duke Guan took Bao's advice and with the most solemn ceremony, invited Guan to serve as prime minister. Under Guan's assistance, Duke Guan successfully transformed the state of Qi into a prosperous and powerful nation. Later, Guan expressed his gratitude, saying, my parents gave me life and raised me, but it is Bao who truly understands and supports me. This led to the famous idiom, the friendship between Guan and Bao, which signifies a deep bond between friends that transcends wealth and status, where they are willing to sacrifice their most cherished possessions for one another.