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Han Baoju

Han Baoju

Han Baoju (韩宝驹 – Hán Bǎojū) was the third master of the Seven Eccentrics of Jiangnan and one of Guo Jing’s teachers. Known as the “Horse King” (马王神 – mǎ wáng shén), he specialised in mounted combat and whip techniques.

Biography

Han Baoju was one of the Seven Eccentrics of Jiangnan, ranked third among the sworn siblings. He originated from Jiaxing and was the elder brother of Han Xiaoying, the seventh member of the group.

Han Baoju participated in the initial confrontation with Qiu Chuji at the Drunken Immortal Tavern, which led to the Seven Eccentrics’ journey to Mongolia to find and train Guo Jing. During their eighteen years in the desert, he played a crucial role in Guo Jing’s martial arts education, particularly in mounted combat and whip techniques.

Tragically, Han Baoju met his end on Peach Blossom Island in the Feng family tomb, where he was killed by Yang Kang using the Nine Yin White Bone Claw. His beloved horse “Thousand Li Chasing Wind Yellow” (千里追风黄 – qiān lǐ zhuī fēng huáng) also perished alongside him.

Personality

Han Baoju was characterised by his short temper and impulsive nature. His fiery personality often led him to be the first to engage in conflicts, and many of the Seven Eccentrics’ confrontations with outsiders were initiated by him. Despite his hot-headedness, he possessed a strong sense of national responsibility and could not tolerate acts of treason or collaboration with foreign powers.

Martial arts

Golden Dragon Whip Technique

Han Baoju’s signature martial art was the Golden Dragon Whip Technique (金龙鞭法 – jīn lóng biān fǎ). This technique utilised a soft whip that could be coiled and stored when not in use, but when deployed, it focused on attacking opponents’ lower body. The whip method emphasised clever force application, and incorrect force usage during practice could result in self-injury.

The technique included various moves such as “Twin Dragons Drawing Water” (双龙取水 – shuāng lóng qǔ shuǐ) and “Golden Dragon Ascending to Heaven” (金龙升天 – jīn lóng shēng tiān).

Horse riding and selection

Han Baoju earned his epithet “Horse King” through his exceptional equestrian skills and horse selection abilities. His riding technique was so refined that he could navigate through crowded streets at high speed without touching anyone or anything. He possessed the ability to make split-second adjustments to avoid collisions, demonstrating extraordinary control and precision.

His expertise in horse selection was considered unparalleled. He owned a prized steed called “Thousand Li Chasing Wind Yellow” and helped Guo Jing select the blood-sweating horse “Little Red” (小红马 – xiǎo hóng mǎ). His reputation for horse knowledge was so great that Wanyan Honglie once offered him a position as a horse riding instructor in Yanjing to improve his cavalry’s combat effectiveness.

Weapons

Han Baoju’s primary weapon was the Golden Dragon Soft Whip (金龙软鞭 – jīn lóng ruǎn biān). This flexible weapon could be coiled and stored when not in use, making it convenient to carry. When deployed in combat, it was particularly effective for attacking opponents’ lower body and legs.

Relationships

Martial lineage

As Guo Jing’s third shifu, Han Baoju played a crucial role in the young hero’s development. He taught Guo Jing mounted combat techniques and whip skills, building upon the boy’s natural horsemanship abilities developed during his time in Mongolia.

Sworn siblings

Han Baoju was the third brother among the Seven Eccentrics of Jiangnan, maintaining close bonds with all his sworn siblings. His death on Peach Blossom Island had a profound impact on the group and became a turning point in their collective story.

Family

Han Baoju was the elder brother of Han Xiaoying, the seventh member of the Seven Eccentrics. Their relationship as blood siblings added another layer of connection within the sworn brotherhood.

Legacy

Han Baoju’s death significantly influenced Guo Jing’s development and the remaining Seven Eccentrics of Jiangnan. His mounted combat skills and whip techniques were passed down to his disciples, and his death on Peach Blossom Island led to major plot developments in the story.

See also

Portrayals

Han Baoju has been portrayed by various actors in adaptations of The Legend of the Condor Heroes:

Television Series

Most adaptations emphasize Han Baoju’s mounted combat skills, his whip techniques, and his role as one of Guo Jing’s teachers, while showcasing his loyalty to the Seven Eccentrics.