Bao Long

Here is the exhaustive biography, ancestral background, historical records, and Romance of the Three Kingdoms narrative for Bao Long (鮑隆) (died 209 AD), incorporating all detailed accounts of his origins as a tiger-killing hunter, his military service under Zhao Fan in Guiyang, his fake surrender plot against Zhao Yun, and his execution.

Ancestry, Family Background & Early Life

Bao Long (鮑隆) was a military officer and general serving in Guiyang Commandery (Guiyang Jun) during the late Eastern Han dynasty. Specific historical details regarding his family lineage, ancestors, parents, spouse, or descendants are unrecorded in official history. Prior to his military career, Bao Long was a renowned local hunter in the rugged hills of Guiyang. He was widely celebrated for his immense physical strength and martial bravery, having famously slain two tigers with a bow and spear in a single day. Impressed by his prowess, the Grand Administrator of Guiyang, Zhao Fan (趙範), appointed Bao Long as one of his primary military commanders alongside Chen Ying (陳應).

Historical Context & Zhao Yun’s Pacification of Guiyang (209 AD)

In 209 AD, following the Battle of Red Cliffs (Chibi), Liu Bei dispatched Zhao Yun (趙雲) to pacify and capture Guiyang Commandery as part of his campaign to secure the four southern commanderies of Jing Province (Jingzhou).

When Zhao Yun’s vanguard army approached Guiyang, Zhao Fan convened a military council. Bao Long and Chen Ying, confident in their martial skills, urged Zhao Fan to allow them to lead troops out and engage Zhao Yun in battle. Zhao Fan cautioned them that Zhao Yun was a legendary warrior who had cut his way through Cao Cao’s massive army at Changban, but Bao Long and Chen Ying insisted on fighting. Chen Ying led the vanguard out to challenge Zhao Yun, but was easily outmaneuvered, unhorsed, captured, and released with a warning by Zhao Yun. Deeply intimidated, Zhao Fan, Bao Long, and Chen Ying surrendered Guiyang to Liu Bei’s forces.

The Fake Surrender Plot & Death (209 AD)

Following the surrender, Zhao Fan attempted to seal a personal alliance with Zhao Yun by offering his widowed sister-in-law, Lady Fan (Fan Shi), in marriage. However, Zhao Yun sternly rejected the proposal on moral grounds, as he and Zhao Fan had just sworn brotherhood, and Zhao Yun deemed marrying a sworn brother’s sister-in-law improper. Enraged and insulted by Zhao Yun’s rejection, Zhao Fan plotted a treacherous counter-strike.

Zhao Fan summoned Bao Long and Chen Ying to engineer a fake surrender plot:
1. Bao Long and Chen Ying were dispatched to Zhao Yun’s camp with five hundred elite soldiers, claiming they had fallen out with Zhao Fan and wished to defect to Liu Bei.
2. Their secret mission was to wait until Zhao Yun was heavily intoxicated during a welcoming banquet, then assassinate him inside his tent and recapture Guiyang.

When Bao Long and Chen Ying arrived at Zhao Yun’s encampment, Zhao Yun feigned delight at their defection and hosted a grand feast in their honor. Knowing their treacherous reputations, Zhao Yun repeatedly plied Bao Long and Chen Ying with heavy wine until both generals were completely intoxicated. Once they were passed out drunk, Zhao Yun ordered his guards to bind them tightly and search their robes, discovering concealed daggers on their persons.

Upon questioning their five hundred soldiers, the troops confessed the entire assassination plot orchestrated by Zhao Fan. Without hesitation, Zhao Yun ordered Bao Long and Chen Ying dragged outside the camp and beheaded on the spot. Zhao Yun then used their five hundred soldiers as a vanguard to trick Zhao Fan into opening the gates of Guiyang, capturing Zhao Fan alive and fully securing the commandery for Liu Bei.

Bao Long (鮑隆) — Historical & Literary Timeline

Romance of the Three Kingdoms Narrative

In Luo Guanzhong’s historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Bao Long is depicted as a brave yet reckless warrior whose attempt to deceive Zhao Yun leads to his swift demise.

In Chapter 52, when Liu Bei dispatches Zhao Yun to conquer Guiyang, Administrator Zhao Fan discusses defense plans with his officers. Bao Long and Chen Ying step forward, boasting: “We are hunters from the mountains who have slain wild beasts with our bare hands; why should we fear Zhao Yun?” Chen Ying leads the vanguard to engage Zhao Yun, but Zhao Yun captures him with ease and generously sends him back to Guiyang. Intimidated by Zhao Yun’s nobility, Zhao Fan surrenders the city.

However, after Zhao Yun refuses Zhao Fan’s proposal to marry his widowed sister-in-law Lady Fan, Zhao Fan plots revenge. He instructs Bao Long and Chen Ying to pretend to flee Guiyang and defect to Zhao Yun’s camp with five hundred men. Zhao Yun receives them warmly and hosts a feast, but secretly orders his officers to watch them closely.

As wine flows, Bao Long and Chen Ying become heavily intoxicated. Zhao Yun suddenly orders his guards to seize and bind them. Searching their garments, the guards find sharp daggers hidden in their sleeves. Their five hundred soldiers confess that Zhao Fan ordered the assassination. Zhao Yun roars: “How dare such treacherous fools attempt to trick me!” Zhao Yun orders Bao Long and Chen Ying taken outside the camp and beheaded. Using their uniforms, Zhao Yun’s troops launch a night raid on Guiyang, arrest Zhao Fan, and bring lasting peace to Guiyang Commandery.