Shi Bao

Shi Bao (石苞, 196 – 272) was a general who served from Wei to the Jin dynasty during the Three Kingdoms period of China. His posthumous name was Wu (武), and his courtesy name was Zhongrong (仲容).¹

Life

He was from Nanpi County in Bohai Commandery. He was learned and broad-minded, and his appearance and conduct were outstanding; he did not adorn himself in trivial ways, and people of his time said that there was no one as handsome as he was. Recommended by his county, he became an agricultural officer (典農司馬). When he was around twelve or thirteen years old, together with Deng Ai, who was then a farmer, he was recommended by the agricultural officer and became the groom of Guo Xianshen, who was under house arrest after being implicated in a rebellion that Ji Benyi had launched in Xudu. At that time, Guo Xianshen assessed him as someone who would become a minister of state along with Deng Ai.

Although he was sent to Ye on an errand, the matter was postponed for a while, and Shi Bao sold iron in the market of Ye. Zu Yuanyou, who recognized Shi Bao as an outstanding person, associated with him and praised his talent, saying that he would become one of the Three Dukes or a Junior Guardian, and so Shi Bao's name became known. While selling iron in the market of Ye, Shi Bao met Sima Yi in 233. He met Xu Yun and asked to be allowed to govern a small county, but Xu Yun refused, saying that he was on equal footing with himself and would be disadvantaged at court. Shi Bao, thinking that Xu Yun did not know him that well, left lamenting.

He became the Zhonghu Army Division Commander (中護軍司馬) under Sima Shi. Although Sima Yi said that Shi Bao had a good appearance but bad conduct, Sima Shi spoke of Shi Bao's talent and said he should be employed. When he was moved to Agricultural Chamberlain for Attendants (典農中郎將) of Ye, he investigated all the profits of the time, listed these matters, and submitted a memorial, for which he was praised. He served as Grand Administrator of Donglai and Grand Administrator of Langya, governing well, and then served successively as Governor of Xuzhou and Army Division Commander of the Ministry of Works (宏農司馬). In 252, when Sima Shi was defeated by Wu at Dongxing, he alone withdrew without losing his troops, and was appointed General Who Pacifies the Army (奮武將軍), Commissioner with Authority to Confer Credentials (假節), and Military Commissioner of Yanzhou... (監青州諸軍事).