Wang Guobao 王國寶

Wang Guobao 王國寶 (350-397) was a general and civilian official of the Eastern Jin dynasty 東晉 (317-420).

In his youth, he lacked proper conduct, which led to his uncle by marriage, Xie An 謝安 (320-385), disliking his character and refusing to appoint him to positions. When he was appointed as secretarial court gentleman (shangshu lang 尚書郎), Wang Guobao, due to his background in an eminent family (menfa 門閥), insisted that he should serve only as a department director of the Ministry of Personnel (libu lang 吏部郎) and not as a subordinate official of another department; thus, he firmly declined and did not accept the post.

A cousin of his was married to Sima Daozi 司馬道子 (364-403), Prince of Guiji 會稽, hence he associated with Daozi and spoke ill of Xie An. When Daozi came to power as regent, he appointed Wang Guobao as Assistant Director of the Palace Library (mishu cheng 秘書丞). Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Administrator (neishi 內史) of the Princedom of Langye 瑯邪 and concurrently served as Governor (taishi 太守) of the commandery of Tangyi 堂邑, with the additional title of General Who Assists the State (fuguo jiangjun 輔國將軍).

In 390, he was appointed Palace Attendant (shizhong 侍中), subsequently promoted to Director of the Palace Secretariat (zhongshu ling 中書令) and Capital Commandant (zhonglingjun 中領軍), sharing authority and influence with Sima Daozi. Wang Guobao was arrogant and overbearing, disregarding laws and regulations, and was frequently impeached by court officials. As a consequence, he was dismissed from office.

Not long after, he was reinstated but grew distant from Daozi. However, at the beginning of Emperor An's 晉安帝 (r. 396-418) reign, Guo Bao once again served under Daozi, who came to rely on him as a trusted confidant. Guo Bao then participated in managing state affairs and wielded power both within and outside the court. He was promoted to Left Vice Director of the Imperial Secretariat (shangshu zuo puye 尚書左僕射), oversaw official appointments, and was granted the titles of General of the Rear (hou jiangjun 后將軍) and metropolitan magistrate (yin 尹) of Danyang 丹陽.

Wang Gong 王恭 (350-398), regional inspector (cishi 刺史) of the province of Yanzhou 兗州, believed that Daozi and Wang Guobao were corrupting the government. Consequently, he raised troops and demanded Guo Bao's execution. With no alternative, Daozi sent someone to arrest Guo Bao, handed him over to the Chamberlain for Law Enforcement (tingwei 廷尉), and ordered him to take his own life.