Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Zhu Bao was a local official serving under the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period. He held the position of Administrator (Taishou) of Wenshan Commandery. During the turmoil following the death of Liu Bei, Zhu Bao, along with Gao Ding and Yong Kai, instigated a rebellion in the southern territories of Shu, aligning themselves with the forces of the Nanman leader Meng Huo.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In the narrative, Zhu Bao is depicted as one of the three principal rebels of the Southern Campaign. He conspired with Yong Kai to defect to Eastern Wu, but was eventually suppressed by Zhuge Liang during the pacification of the South. After the defeat of the rebel forces and the capture of key leaders, he was executed for his betrayal against the throne of Shu.
Zhu Bao — Historical & Literary Timeline
The Southern Rebellion
Zhu Bao joins the rebellion against Shu Han, conspiring with Yong Kai and Gao Ding, and eventually meeting his end following Zhuge Liang’s Southern Campaign.
Key Relationships
Family
- No information
Friends
- Yong Kai (雍闿, Ung Khải): Paramount rebel warlord of Nanzhong who instigated the massive southern insurrection in 223 AD; Zhu Bao aligned with him to rebel against Shu Han.
- Gao Ding (高定, Cao Định): Southern tribal king (King of the Sou) who co-conspired with Zhu Bao to isolate and besiege loyalist commanderies in Nanzhong (223–225 AD).
- Meng Huo (孟获, Mạnh Hoạch): King of the Nanman who mobilized tribal confederacies in coordination with the regional rebellion (225 AD).
Enemies
- Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng): Chancellor of Shu Han. Launched the Southern Campaign (Nanzheng) in 225 AD; devised alienation stratagems that dismantled the rebel coalition, leading directly to Zhu Bao’s defeat and death.
- Ma Zhong (马忠, Mã Trung): Senior general of Shu Han. Commanded the vanguard expeditionary column that directly attacked Zangke Commandery, crushed Zhu Bao’s rebel army, and executed Zhu Bao in 225 AD.
- Gao Ding (高定, Cao Định): In Chapter 88 of *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, Zhuge Liang used a counter-espionage ruse that caused Gao Ding to distrust Zhu Bao; Gao Ding dispatched his general E Huan, who lured Zhu Bao out and slew him with a halberd.
- Zhang Yi (张裔, Trương Duệ): Grand Administrator of Jianning who was captured by Yong Kai’s coalition during the outbreak of the rebellion (223 AD).
Others
- No information
In Novel
Chapter 87
- Zhu Bao (朱褒, Chu Bao): Zhu Bao is one of the southern tribal leaders who joins Meng Huo in resisting Zhuge Liang’s campaign in Nanzhong. He commands local troops and participates in the repeated attempts to stop the Shu army.
Chapter 88
- Zhu Bao (朱褒, Chu Bao): Zhu Bao is captured during the Shu campaign. Zhuge Liang releases him rather than executing him, following the strategy of repeatedly releasing and recapturing the southern leaders. Zhu Bao later returns to resistance but is eventually defeated and killed during the campaign.
In History
225 AD
- Zhu Bao (朱褒, Chu Bao) was a Shu Han administrator in the southern part of Yi Province. He joined the major Nanzhong uprising alongside Yong Kai (雍闿, Ung Khải) and Gao Ding (高定, Cao Định).
225 AD
- The rebellion challenged Shu Han control over Nanzhong at a critical moment after Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị)‘s death. Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, Gia Cát Lượng) personally led a southern expedition to restore Shu authority.
225 AD
- During the campaign, the alliance between the rebel leaders broke down. Zhu Bao was killed after Gao Ding’s forces turned against him. His death removed one of the three principal leaders of the Nanzhong revolt.