Chen Bao

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Chen Bao (陈宝)
Alias(es)	Boss Chen; Uncle Chen; Uncle Bao
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Chen Family Village; Eagle Ravine Dock
Occupation/Role	Private-salt smuggler and boss of Eagle Ravine Dock
Status	Active
First Appearance	Chapter 9

Background / History

Chen Bao is a Chen-clan relative and Chen Gan's associate. He runs Eagle Ravine Dock and openly identifies himself as a smuggler of illicit salt. Though his square face and heroic bearing make him resemble a righteous jianghu figure, Chen Gan characterizes him as a ruthless private-salt kingpin whose business depends on access to Changping County's salt-selling channels 9.

In his youth, Chen Bao acquired the immortal cultivation method Yang Tian Jue from a recluse. He attempted to cultivate it while already in his early twenties, despite its restriction to males under twenty; the failure damaged his vital yang. He and his wife subsequently had no children besides Chen Qianyu, and he kept the technique hidden to prevent Qianyu from making the same mistake 24 25.

During Chen Gan's conflict with Magistrate's Clerk Ma Yingshi, Chen Bao helps move Su Mo, Madam Qian, Qin Bi'er, and Dian Dian toward Eagle Ravine Dock for protection. When Su Mo attempts to return to Changping County, Chen Bao tries to stop him by striking him with a horsewhip and later assigns a man to monitor and, if necessary, seize him 9 10 13.

Chen Bao's attitude changes sharply after learning that Su Mo has access to the Imperial Guard and subsequently becomes a regular yamen servant. Realizing that his earlier treatment of Su Mo could endanger Chen Family Village's salt operation, he seeks reconciliation and begins treating Su Mo as a valuable political connection 17 23.

To secure that connection, Chen Bao sends Qianyu to deliver Yang Tian Jue as a congratulatory gift. He explains that he expects no immediate return, but hopes Su Mo will assist him if trouble arises; Su Mo accepts and promises aid within his ability 31 32. He later agrees to establish a salt shop in the East Market under Su Mo's protection, offering Su Mo half of the shop's profits and half of profits from future business routes that Su Mo protects 41.

Appearance

Chen Bao is a tall, burly middle-aged man whose outward appearance contrasts with his criminal reputation 9.

• Square face with an air of heroism 9
• Usually wears short tunics 9
• Has a prominent knife scar on his face 9
• Can appear imposing enough to be mistaken for a righteous outlaw of the martial world 9

Personality

Chen Bao is pragmatic, calculating, and highly alert to shifts in power. His private-salt network, fighters, and informants give him local influence, but he recognizes that this influence is insignificant before the Imperial Guard. Once Su Mo's connection becomes apparent, Chen Bao immediately reassesses him as both a danger and an opportunity 17 23.

He is willing to use relationships instrumentally. He encourages Qianyu to get close to Su Mo, seek a post under him, and potentially marry him, all to safeguard Chen Family Village and gain access to yamen intelligence 24 25 32. At the same time, he is protective of his daughter: when he believes the authorities may suppress the village, he initially orders her to flee and forbids her from seeking revenge if he dies 24.

Despite his ruthlessness, Chen Bao observes social propriety when it affects Qianyu's reputation. He refuses Su Mo's offer of lodging because an unmarried daughter staying in a single man's home would invite gossip 31.

Abilities & Skills

Salt Smuggling and Organization

Chen Bao commands Eagle Ravine Dock's illicit salt operation and seeks to expand its distribution into Changping County.

• Maintains hundreds of fierce fighters at Eagle Ravine Dock 17
• Uses informants in Changping County to track political developments 22
• Understands the value of official protection in holding private-salt territory 23
• Recognizes the profits available by passing private salt through officially licensed salt shops 41

Martial Ability

Chen Bao possesses martial ability, though his full strength has not been directly shown.

• Su Mo notes that Chen Gan would not dare partner with Chen Bao unless Chen Bao possessed capable martial skills 13
• Chen Gan suspects that Chen Bao may be a master-level expert 41
• He attempts to incapacitate Su Mo with a precisely swung horsewhip, though Su Mo remains conscious 13

Political Judgment

Chen Bao quickly adapts his strategy once he understands Su Mo's rising status.

• Immediately orders Chen Hu and the dock to treat Madam Qian, Qin Bi'er, and Dian Dian carefully after learning Su Mo entered the Imperial Guard post 17
• Uses Yang Tian Jue, an heirloom he had guarded for years, as an investment in an alliance with Su Mo 25 32
• Negotiates profit-sharing terms for a protected East Market salt shop 41

Equipment / Items

• Yang Tian Jue jade scroll — An immortal cultivation method once kept in a dust-covered brocade box. Chen Bao gives it to Su Mo because he and Qianyu cannot safely cultivate it 24 25 31 32.
• Horsewhip — Used as an improvised striking weapon when attempting to knock Su Mo unconscious 13.

Relationships

• Chen Gan — Fellow Chen-clan member and business associate. Their relationship is based on mutual benefit: Chen Gan provides avenues for Chen Bao's salt trade, while Chen Bao supplies protection and manpower when needed 9.
• Su Mo — Initially a guarded liability whom Chen Bao tries to remove to Eagle Ravine Dock; later becomes his most important political ally after gaining yamen and Imperial Guard status. Chen Bao gives him Yang Tian Jue and enters a protected salt-trade partnership with him 13 23 32 41.
• Chen Qianyu — His only daughter. Chen Bao pushes her to build a relationship with Su Mo and take a yamen post, viewing her as crucial to Chen Family Village's survival and future intelligence gathering 24 25 41.
• Chen Hu — His younger kinsman and confidant, who reports Su Mo's Imperial Guard connection and supports Chen Bao's plans to expand the salt business 17 23.
• Qin Bi'er — Su Mo's associate whom Chen Bao has Qianyu care for while the group stays at Eagle Ravine Dock, partly to avoid offending Su Mo 17 23.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Conflict with Magistrate Ma

Chen Bao is one of the men Chen Gan gathers during the struggle against Magistrate's Clerk Ma Yingshi. He is ordered to escort Su Mo and the women of the Su and Chen families to Eagle Ravine Dock until Chen Gan gives word that it is safe to return 9 10.

Discovery of Su Mo's Backing

After Su Mo returns to Changping County and enters the Imperial Guard post, Chen Bao realizes that the young man has connections beyond the reach of a local salt smuggler. This realization drives his effort to repair their relationship and exploit the potential protection Su Mo could provide 17 23.

Yang Tian Jue Gift

When Chen Family Village faces a reported threat of military suppression, Chen Bao gives Qianyu the Yang Tian Jue scroll to present to Su Mo. The gift secures Su Mo's promise of future assistance and transforms their relationship into an explicit alliance 24 25 31 32.

East Market Salt Alliance

Chen Bao agrees to open a salt shop in the East Market under Su Mo's protection. He offers Su Mo half of the profits from the shop and from future protected ventures, enabling Chen Family Village to move its salt business toward the county town 41.

Notable Quotes

“What boss and such, I'm just a smuggler of illicit salt!” 9

“This child is no ordinary person; he will surely transform into a dragon one day!” 32

Trivia

• Chen Bao's attempted disguise when seeking Su Mo's help is poor enough that Su Mo quickly identifies him 36.
• His attempt to cultivate Yang Tian Jue is the reason he warns Su Mo and Qianyu so strongly about the method's age and gender restrictions 25 32.