Bao Long (鮑隆), a military general under Zhao Fan, the Prefect of Guiyang, in Luo Guanzhong’s historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Biography Overview
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Bao Long serves as one of the two chief officers under Zhao Fan during Liu Bei’s campaign to capture the Southern Commanderies in 209 AD. Famous for his brute strength—having famously killed two tigers with his bare hands—he and Chen Ying attempt a feigned surrender to assassinate Zhao Yun, only for the plot to be exposed, leading to his swift execution.
Bao Long (鮑隆) — Historical Timeline
209 AD — Chapter 52
Appointment & Resistance Strategy
When Liu Bei sends Zhao Yun to capture Guiyang, Prefect Zhao Fan considers surrendering. Bao Long, along with fellow general Chen Ying, aggressively opposes this decision, boasting of his martial prowess—including slaying two tigers with his bare hands—and demands to lead troops against Zhao Yun.
209 AD — Chapter 52
Defeat of Chen Ying & Surrender
Chen Ying leads five thousand troops into battle first but is easily defeated and captured by Zhao Yun. After Zhao Yun spares Chen Ying’s life and sends him back, Zhao Fan realizes resistance is futile and surrenders the city, swearing a sworn brotherhood with Zhao Yun.
209 AD — Chapter 52
The Assassination Plot
The alliance collapses when Zhao Fan tries to marry his widowed sister-in-law, Lady Fan, to Zhao Yun, which enrages Zhao Yun for violating moral etiquette. Fearing retaliation, Zhao Fan plots with Bao Long and Chen Ying to stage a fake defect and assassinate Zhao Yun while he is drunk.
209 AD — Chapter 52
Discovery and Execution
Bao Long and Chen Ying lead five hundred soldiers to Zhao Yun’s camp, pretending to betray Zhao Fan. Zhao Yun pretends to accept them, gets them drunk during a banquet, binds them, and extracts the full confession. Zhao Yun immediately executes both Bao Long and Chen Ying before capturing Zhao Fan.
Historical Context
Bao Long is a fictional character created by Luo Guanzhong for Romance of the Three Kingdoms. In Chen Shou’s historical records, the Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi), Zhao Fan did surrender Guiyang to Zhao Yun and proposed the marriage with Lady Fan, but there is no record of Bao Long, Chen Ying, or an assassination attempt.
