The Story of Guan and Bao: True Friendship Transcends Distance
[Source] Sima Qian's "Records of the Grand Historian: Biography of Guan Zhong" (Western Han Dynasty).
[Explanation] "Guan" refers to Guan Zhong; "Bao" refers to Bao Shuya; "zhi jiao" means deep friendship. During the Spring and Autumn period, Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya, both from the state of Qi, had the deepest understanding of each other. This phrase is now commonly used to describe friends with a profound and close bond.
[Historical Anecdote]
During the Spring and Autumn period, there were two close friends in the state of Qi: one named Guan Zhong, the other named Bao Shuya. Guan Zhong came from a poor family and had to support his mother. When Bao Shuya learned of this, he invited Guan Zhong to go into business together. After making money, Guan Zhong took a larger share, while Bao Shuya received very little. People began to gossip that Guan Zhong was greedy and unprincipled. Upon hearing this, Bao Shuya defended Guan Zhong, explaining, "Guan Zhong isn't being greedy or unkind. His family is in hardship and he must support his mother. It's perfectly fine for him to take a little more."
When Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya went to war together, Guan Zhong always hid at the back during every attack, leading everyone to call him a coward who feared death. When Bao Shuya heard this, he explained to the people, "Guan Zhong isn't afraid of death; he must stay alive to return and care for his elderly mother!"
Later, Prince Zhu became the ruler of Qi. He indulged in drinking, feasting, and reckless behavior every day. Sensing that internal chaos would soon erupt in Qi, Bao Shuya and Guan Zhong each fled the state with a different prince—Bao Shuya with Prince Xiaobai to Ju, and Guan Zhong with Prince Jiu to Lu. Soon after, Prince Zhu was assassinated. Guan Zhong, hoping Prince Jiu would become ruler, secretly ambushed Xiaobai. Unfortunately, the arrow Guan shot missed its mark. Not only did Xiaobai survive, but he also ascended the throne as King of Qi—known historically as Duke Huan of Qi.
After Duke Huan came to power, he decided to appoint Bao Shuya as his prime minister. However, Bao Shuya said to Duke Huan, "Guan Zhong surpasses me in every way. He is the one who should be appointed prime minister!" Duke Huan was astonished and replied, "Guan Zhong once tried to kill me, and you want me to appoint him as prime minister?" Bao Shuya answered, "That wasn't his fault. He was simply acting to serve his lord." Convinced by Bao Shuya's words, Duke Huan invited Guan Zhong back to serve as prime minister. Under Guan Zhong's guidance, the state of Qi rapidly grew powerful.
When Guan Zhong later spoke of his past with Bao Shuya, he said: "I once went into business with Bao Shuya and took a larger share of the profits. Bao Shuya didn't think me greedy—he knew I was poor. I took part in three battles and fled each time. Bao Shuya didn't think me cowardly—he knew I had an elderly mother at home. My parents gave me life, but it is Bao Shuya who truly understands me!"