Career
As an official he was renowned as a judge of character and talent, with Guan Zhong himself commenting that "My parents gave birth to me, but it is Bao who knows me best."
Bao Shuya was a native of Yingshang, in modern-day Anhui Province, as was Guan Zhong. Before entering politics the two often took part in business ventures together. The Princes' Rivalry
The reigning duke of Qi at the time, Duke Xiang of Qi, was a dissolute ruler.
Foreseeing chaos and fearing for the prince's safety Bao fled with Xiaobai to the neighbouring state of Ju. (Guan Zhong, in turn, fled with prince Jiu to the State of Lu). Eventually Duke Xiang of Qi was killed by one of his ministers, who declared himself duke but was in turn murdered, leaving a power vacuum in Qi.
This situation turned the princes, and by extension their tutors, into rivals for the throne. Bao Shuya successfully escorted Prince Xiaobai back to Qi before Prince Jiu, and the newly installed duke eventually pressured Lu into killing Prince Jiu and sending Guan Zhong back to Qi. Bao Shuya's Recommendation
During the journey back to Qi, Guan had attempted to assassinate the prince, loosing an arrow which hit his belt buckle.
Because of this the duke wanted to execute Guan. At the same time he intended to elevate Bao, his tutor and guardian, to the post of Chancellor. At the same time he convinced Guan to shift his loyalty to the new duke and serve him whole-heartedly.
The Shiji records a quote from Guan regarding his lifelong friend and supporter:
When Bao and I did business together I would take more profits for myself. He did not deem me greedy, but understood my poverty. When I came up with business ideas that incurred losses he did not deem me foolish, but put it down to business fluctuations.
When I asked for audiences with lords thrice and was thrice rejected he did not deem me useless, but put it down to lack of opportunity. When I fled from battle thrice he did not deem me cowardly, but understood I had an ailing mother at home. When Prince Jiu was killed I was jailed and disgraced, and endured it.
He did not deem me shameless, but knew I had greater ambitions. My parents gave birth to me, but it is Bao who knows me best!
Bao Shuya is one of the 32 historical figures who appear as special characters in the video game Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI by Koei.
