Bao Zheng
Bao Zheng (Chinese: 包拯; pinyin: Bāo Zhěng) (999–1062) was a much-praised judge from Song China. His job title was the Mayor of the capital city Kaifeng (開封府尹) at the time. Because of his renowned fairness, he was popularly glorified "Blue-Sky Bao" (Chinese: 包青天; pinyin: Bao Qingtian) or "Lord Bao" (Chinese: 包公; pinyin: Bao Gong). He was also nicknamed "Darkie Bao" (Chinese: 包黑子; pinyin: Bao Heizi) by his enemies due to his very dark complexion. This is more of a myth and glorification, however, as black is the color of justice in Imperial China. Certainly, Song Dynasty depictions of Bao suggests no such characteristic. His courtesy name was Xiren (希仁).
Life and career
Bao Qingtian was born into a scholar family in Hefei, Anhui province, where the Memorial Temple of Lord Bao (包公祠) is still located near the city center. It was built in 1066 close to his tomb. At the age of 29, he passed the highest-level imperial exams and became qualified as a Jinshi. He was a magistrate in Bian (Kaifeng), the capital of the Song dynasty.
He is famous for his uncompromising stance against corruption among the government officials at the time. He upheld justice and refused to yield to higher powers including the "royal father-in-law" (國丈), who was also appointed as the Grand Tutor (太師) and was known as Grand Tutor Pang (Chinese: 龐太師; pinyin: Pang taishi). He treated Bao as an enemy. Although Grand Tutor Pang is often depicted in myth as an archetypical villain (arrogant, selfish, and cruel), the historical reasons for his bitter rivalry with Bao remains unclear.
Bao had conflicts with other powerful members of the imperial court as well, including the Prime Minister, Song Yang. He had 30 high officials demoted or dismissed for corruption, bribery, or dereliction of duty. He also had Zhang Yaozhuo, uncle of the high-ranked imperial concubine impeached 6 times. In addition, as the imperial censor, he avoided punishment despite having many other contemporary imperial censors punished for minor statements.
Bao Zheng also managed to remain in favor by cultivating a long standing friendship with one of Emperor Renzong's uncles, the Eighth Imperial Prince (Chinese: 八王爺; pinyin: Ba Wang Ye).
His burial site in Hefei contains his tomb along with the tombs of family members and a memorial temple.
In opera or drama, he is often portrayed with a black face and a white crescent shaped birthmark on his forehead. In most dramatization of his stories, he used a set of guillotines, given to him by the emperor, to execute criminals. The one decorated with a dog's head was used on commoners. The one decorated with a tiger's head was used on government officials. The one decorated with a dragon's head was used on royalties. He was granted a golden rod by the previous emperor which he was authorized to chastise the current emperor with. He was also granted a precious sword from the previous emperor as a license to execute any royalties before reporting to the emperor to get approval first (from where arose the idiom "先斬後奏", kill first, report later). In these works he was often helped by 12 deputies and detectives, collectively known as 七俠五義 (seven Xia and five Yi).
His name became synonymous with justice, with the clear blue sky (qing tian; 青天) became a popular metaphor to justice in the Chinese-speaking world. Due to his strong sense of justice, he is very popular in China, especially among the peasants and the poor. He became the subject of literature and modern Chinese TV series in which his adventures and cases are featured.
There are many legends and stories about Bao and his witty approach to solve mysterious and tough cases. Some famous examples include:
- 《鍘美案》 The story about Bao executing Chen Shimei (陳世美), who abandoned his previous wife (and later tried to have her killed) in order to marry royalty.
- 《貍貓換太子》 The story of a plot to discredit a concubine by swapping her son (the new born crown prince) with a civet, in which Bao disguised as Yan Luo to try Guo Huai (郭槐). Guo supported Bao in front of the Emperor early in his career, making the case personally difficult for the judge. The perpetrator confessed when he thought he was in hell.
Bao's Legendary Allies
- In most of the stories, Bao is always accompanied by his trusted bodyguard Zhan Zhao, a man with superhuman strength and unmatched fighting skills. In some legends, he is seen as a companion and equal to Bao, as he represents the Wu(martial) aspect while Bao represents the Wen(civil) aspect, which is considered the two features of a perfect and complete person.
- Besides Zhan, Bao is often accompanied by his adviser or personal secretary, known in the stories as Gongsun Ce. Gongsun like Zhan is often portrayed as loyal and devoted to Bao's causes, this is in stark contrast of the advisers to the magistrate portrayed in most stories as they are usually conniving and unscrupulous characters who are masterminds of corrupt activities in the yamen. While Zhan serves as Bao's enforcer, Gongsun is often portrayed as the intelligent and merciful advisor who helps Bao by offering him advices. The characters of Zhan and Gongsun is very similar in respect to the relation Liu Bei had with Guan Yu and Zhuge Liang in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
- Other than Zhan and Gongsun, Bao is often seen with his four enforcers including: Wang Chao, Ma Han, Zhang Long and Zhao Hu which is usually under the orders of Zhan, and when a hearing is in session, two of them is always on Bao's right and two of them is always on his left. Like Zhan and Gongsun, the enforcers are presented as righteous and incorruptible. This type of portrayal is often done on purpose to show the stark contrast of Bao's court which is from top to bottom morally upright and impartial, while corrupt officials tend to employ and associate with morally flawed characters.
Wealthy Ironmasters in Dengzhou, a memorandum to the throne
The poet and statesman Su Shi (1036-1101) wrote a memorandum to the throne in 1078 of the problems facing the Chinese iron industry at Liguo Industrial Prefecture, when he served as the governor of Xuzhou.[1] Su Shi wrote that of the 36 smelters each employing a workforce of several hundred persons, there was risk of bankruptcy due to the rivaling iron industry complex in Hebei province that convinced the central court to halt Xuzhou-manufactured iron products from being shipped up north through Hebei (on top of bandits robbing the wealthy ironwork families).[1] Much earlier though, in 1046, Bao Qingtian wrote a memorandum to the throne about the dire economic conditions of the iron industry in Dengzhou, and his concern for the iron industry nationwide. He wrote:
Request for the removal of the names of certain iron-producing households in Dengzhou from the register. Your servant begs to observe that he has previously set forth the condition of eighteen iron-smelting households in Dengzhou, including the Jiang and Lu families. I have stated that they are poor families without the means to smelt iron. Year after year they sell agricultural products and, 'sitting on an empty nest', purchase iron which they pay in to the government. I request that, in accordance to the regulations, their names be removed from the register [of iron-producing households]...I have twice made submissions on this subject, but have not received instructions. My investigations show that in former times, in those areas which produced the largest quantities of iron products, many of the households which originally requested permission to smelt have used up their family fortunes, and have no iron to work with; but the officials will not accept that they are poor. Unassisted they have delivered their quotas of iron, and in so doing they have dissipated their assets. [The obligation] continues with their children and grandchildren, who cannot avoid it. This is very oftent the situation. Though the potential profit is great, the rich fear future calamity, and are unwilling to establish [iron smelters]. For this reason the production of iron daily decreases, and for a long time there has been no entrepreneurial activity. I request that they [the rich] be required to be smelting households. But those who are truly bankrupt, and do not have the means to engage in industry, should be thoroughly investigated by an Imperial Commissioner; if no fraudulent practice is found, [the situation] should immediately be reported to the Tax Transport Bureau [of the circuit]. The prefectures and districts should as before be ordered to encourage all manner of persons, continually and in many ways, to establish ironworks, and not be permitted to delay or hinder them. If this advice is followed, the [iron-smelting] households will be happy in their work and the supply of iron will increase. For the bringing of plenty to the people and enriching the state there is nothing better than this.[2]
Bao Zheng in Chinese Popular Culture
- Bao's gain respect and people today pray and respect him as "Bao Gong" God of Justice.
- Bao Gong An,an Ming Dynasty detective novel written for his as the leading role.
- The TV series "Justice Bao" 包青天 was filmed in Taiwan. The series became popular in Hong Kong during the night time slot. It was also one of the first dramas that used the NICEM technology (Dual Sound Switch Cantonese/Mandarin). The series was so successful that it ran for nearly 5 years in the mid 90s and created spin-off series, as well as other merchandise products related to Bao Zheng. Most of the series were pure fiction relating to Bao Zheng, especially with some Chinese fantasy thrown in. The series taught Chinese traditional values, like respecting elders.
- Stephen Chow made a spin-off movie based on Bao Zheng called Hail the Judge or "Pale Face Bao Zheng Ting" in proper Chinese title. In the movie Stephen plays a descendant of Bao Zheng called "Bao Sing" living in Qing Dynasty, whose family lost its once glorious prestige due to generation of incompetence and corruption.
- Andy Lau in 2003 movie, Cat And Mouse portrayed Zhan Zhao, a court officer under Judge Bao who received order to pursue five mice. Judge Bao was played by Anthony Wong
Notes
References
- Wagner, Donald B. "The Administration of the Iron Industry in Eleventh-Century China," Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient (Volume 44 2001): 175-197.