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Han Baoju

Han Baoju

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Han Baoju (simplified: 韩宝驹, traditional: 韓寶駒, pinyin: Hán Bǎojū, jyutping: Hon4 Bou2 Geoi1) was the third master of the Seven Eccentrics of Jiangnan and one of Guo Jing’s teachers. Known as the Horse King, he specialized in mounted combat and whip techniques.

Biography

Han Baoju was one of the Seven Eccentrics of Jiangnan, ranked third among the sworn siblings. He hailed from Jiaxing and managed the family horse farm that supplied mounts across Jiangnan. Quick-tempered yet generous, he served as the protective elder brother of Han Xiaoying.

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 taught Guo Jing how to judge a horse’s tendon strength, how to lean with a galloping mount to avoid arrows, and how to flick a soft whip without injuring the animal beneath him.

Tragically, Han Baoju met his end on Peach Blossom Island in the Feng family tomb. Yang Kang, having learnt the Nine Yin White Bone Claw, ambushed him and tore open his chest while he searched for his missing sister. His beloved steed “Thousand Li Chasing Wind Yellow” was crippled in the same attack, symbolising the collapse of the Han siblings’ shared dreams.

Personality and traits

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.

He loved boasting about his steeds almost as much as he loved his sister, yet beneath the bravado lay a sentimental streak: Han Baoju kept a ledger listing every horse he had ever sold to Song border scouts, annotating which mounts had fallen in battle so that he could offer incense during the winter sacrifice.

Martial arts abilities

Golden Dragon Whip Technique

Han Baoju’s signature martial art was the Golden Dragon Whip Technique. 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” and “Golden Dragon Ascending to Heaven”.

When sparring with Guo Jing, Han Baoju insisted on practising on horseback so that every lash forced the rider to adjust balance in the stirrups. He was also adept at combining whip work with reins—one hand could flick the Golden Dragon whip while the other controlled his mount’s head movement, letting him circle targets in tight alleys without tripping pedestrians.

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 tame the blood-sweating mare “Little Red” (小红马 – xiǎo hóng mǎ), soothing the horse with specially mixed barley soaked in mare’s milk. His reputation for horse knowledge was so great that Wanyan Honglie tried to poach him as an imperial riding instructor in Yanjing—a proposal Han Baoju rejected with a whip crack across the prince’s banner.

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.