ChinaKnowledge.de -
An Encyclopaedia on Chinese History, Literature and Art

Shusun Muzi 叔孫穆子 Shusun Bao 叔孫豹

Oct 26, 2012 © Ulrich Theobald

Shusun Bao 叔孫豹 (died 538 BCE), posthumous title Shusun Muzi 叔孫穆子 or Shusun Mushu 叔孫穆叔, personal name , was a high minister in the state of Lu 魯 during the Spring and Autumn period 春秋 (770-5th cent. BCE). He was a younger brother of Shusun Xuanbo 叔孫宣伯 and was chief minister of Duke Xiang of Lu 魯襄公 (r. 573-542).

The house of Shusun 叔孫 was one of the Three Huan families 三桓 that determined the fate of Lu. Under the reign of Duke Cheng 魯成公 (r. 591-573) the Duchess Dowager Mu Jiang 穆姜, mother of Duke Cheng, had an affair with Shusun Xuanbo. When disorder befell the government of Lu, Shusun Bao and his father fled to the state of Qi 齊. Bao was made head of the family Shusun in exile. He returned when Duke Xiang mounted the throne.

After the death of chief minister Ji Wenzi 季文子, Shusun Bao was appointed counsellor because he had already gained experience in the duties of government under Ji Wenzi and Zhongsun Mie 仲孫蔑 (Meng Xianzi 孟獻子).

In 562, Ji Wuzi 季武子 planned to create three armies to be commanded by the heads of the Three Huan families, an idea that was realized by Shusun Bao. He soon retired and handed over government affairs to Ji Wuzi. A minion of the latter, Shu Niu 豎牛, tried annihilating the house of Shusun. Although Shu Niu was killed, Shu Zhong 豎中 was able to detain Shusun Bao and had him starved to death.

Sources:
Xiong Tieji 熊鐵基, Yang Youli 楊有禮, ed. (1994). Zhongguo diwang zaixiang cidian 中國帝王宰相辭典 (Wuhan: Hubei jiaoyu chubanshe), 384.
Zhang Huizhi 張撝之, Shen Qiwei 沈起煒, Liu Dezhong 劉德重, ed. (1999). Zhongguo lidai renming da cidian 中國歷代人名大辭典 (Shanghai: Shanghai guji chubanshe), Vol. 2, 1469.