272 Beijing Opera Performers - Zhang Bao - Number 250

Beijing Opera - "The Junior Peach Garden Brotherhood"

Zhang Bao with a flowered black-cross face plays a part in the list-opera "The Junior Peach Garden Brotherhood," adapted from an episode in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms." Guan Xing was the second son of Guan Yu, and the brother of Guan Ping and Guan Suo. Guan Xing was an energetic and fun loving child, he spent his days practicing the martial arts with his older brother and father; and enjoyed riding horses.

Guan Xing was around the same age as Zhang Fei's son Zhang Bao, and the two spent much time together in their youth. As their fathers before them, Guan Xing and Zhang Bao swore an oath of brotherhood.

After Guan Yu's death in AD 219, Xingguo followed Liu Bei in the attack on Wu. Guan Xing attacked and killed his enemy Pan Zhang; the person who captured his father and also took his prized possession.

Though the battle of Yi Ling against Wu ended in a grave defeat for Liu Bei, Guan Xing and others received many rewards. When the Prime Minister Zhuge Liang made peace with Wu and invaded the northern lands, Guan Xing was appointed as Commander of the Left Guard and titled Flying Dragon General. When Guo Huai and Cao Zhen persuaded the Qiang tribe to attack the Shu army during their attack on Wei, Guan Xing, Zhang Bao and Ma Dai volunteered to defeat them. The Qiangs attacked their troops with Iron Chariots and arrows, and although Ma Dai and Zhang Bao escaped, Guan Xing and his troops were trapped. The Qiang general Yue Ji pursued Guan Xing, but while he was trying to get away, Xingguo and his horse fell into ditch filled with water. The Qiang troops surrounded Guan Xing, but were attacked by Ma Dai and Zhang Bao in the rear.