The friendship with Bao refers to the profound friendship between Bao, the sage of Qi State, and Guan Zhong, the prime minister of Xiang State. Later, people used "Guan Bao's close friend" to express close friends.

It was first seen in Liezi Mo Lifeng, "My parents know the steamed stuffed bun. This world is called Guan Baoshan. " The deep friendship between Guan Zhong and Bao has become a much-told story handed down from generation to generation in China.

Guan Zhong and Bao were two good ministers and generals of Qi in the Spring and Autumn Period. They were good friends when they were young. On one occasion, they did business together and put money into it. However, every time they shared money, Guan Zhong got more money than Bao, but Bao said that his family was poor and needed money. Later, Guan Zhong and Bao were their own masters. Guan Zhong's country was defeated and Guan Zhong was arrested. Qi Huangong, the king of Qi, tried to kill him, but Bao stopped him.

Bao said to him, "You can't kill Guan Zhong, but you should reuse him." When Qi Huangong heard this, he kicked Guan Zhong out. Later, Guan Zhong became the prime minister of Qi.

Extended data:

Guan Zhong talked with ministers and told them that when he was poor, he went into business with Bao Shu, and he shared the profits every time. Bao Shu didn't think he was greedy for money. Uncle Bao didn't think he was stupid, but said he was unlucky. He was dismissed from public office three times. Uncle Bao doesn't feel that he has no talent, but that he was born at the wrong time.

He lost all three wars, but Bao Shu didn't think he was timid, but knew that he had an old mother to take care of at home. During his imprisonment, he was humiliated. Bao Shu didn't think he was thick-skinned and shameless, but he knew that he was informal and ashamed that his intelligence could not be revealed. Finally, Guan Zhong sighed: "My parents gave birth to me, but Uncle Bao knows me!"

References:

Baidu Encyclopedia-Guan Bao Vocational Education

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