With this TV show being decades old, I thought it would be useful to put out a brief character sheet before continuing with my recaps of one of its cases. If you’re looking for details, though, this post may not be very helpful.
Note that this list only applies to the 1993 TV series Justice Bao, not the sequel or the remakes.
THE KAIFENG GANG
It’s a pretty impressive gang.
They don’t work like the usual bureaucratic system that makes you fill all kinds of paperwork and bring in bribes. All you have to do is beat on the drum in front of Lord Bao’s court and he will listen to your case. It may be way down on the list but you know it’s on the list.
JUDGE BAO
The prefect of the city of Kaicheng. Blunt, straightforward, just, rarely smiles.
Born with dark skin and a moon shape on his forehead, which signifies his purity of heart. Or it can mean that he sees all that happens even at night. So beware, criminals.
Nickname: Bao Qingtian — Bao of “blue sky”. Has freakishly strong vocal chords, especially when he announces your punishment. Rumors have it that he is even better than the King of Hell himself when it comes to justice.
No one — noble or not — can escape Lord Bao’s judgement once found guilty. Money won’t help you, neither will connections. When all else fails, Lord Bao can always threaten to resign from his post and even the emperor would be so scared he would let Lord Bao have his way.
Lord Bao is so good at his job that the emperor grants him the following perks: 1) a sword that serves as the emperor’s substitute which can order people to kneel and hold their tongues while Lord Bao does whatever he needs to do without interference, and 2) the right to execute any criminal on the spot and report later.
Pretty cool, huh.
ZHAN ZHAO
The fist (and occasionally a bait) of Kaifeng. Responsible for all security matters.
Almost always dressed in red. Quick and light on his feet as a cat. Loyal, smart, secretly mischievous, flirty when necessary. Makes a point to stay single for the rest of his life.
Yes, sorry, admirers. Not even a sword to his throat can force Zhan Zhao into matrimony. (Not that anyone ever manages to put a sword to his throat, but you get the point.)
Zhan Zhao is a lot more mature than his age (looks twenty, but acts like thirty-five). Rarely has to take his sword out of its sheath. When he does, somebody is guaranteed to be knocked out.
The only thing that’s more dangerous than Zhan Zhao with a sword is Zhan Zhao holding an umbrella. And he is fully aware of this about himself:
GONGSUN CE
Plothole and loophole detector. The brain and heart of the gang.
Not to say that the others don’t have brains and hearts, but Gongsun Ce is extra nice and approachable. If you’re a kid and you get stranded in this court of Kaifeng, definitely stick with Gongsun Ce.
THE CONSTABLES IN RED AND BLACK
Effective bodyguards and detectives. Friendly. Great to have around.
The four of them equal to one Zhan Zhao in terms of physical strength. Their outfits and head accessories can be impractical, though.
(Sorry I couldn’t find a better-quality picture of them. They don’t appear together often, and when they do, they usually get eclipsed by Zhan Zhao’s huge face at the front.)
THE IMPERIAL COURT
Sometimes, a case can blow up so big that the officials at Kaifeng simply can’t have the final word. When that happens, they would take the case to the imperial court. So, below are the usual participants whenever Lord Bao decides to bother the higher authority:
EMPEROR RENZONG
Kind and filial. Well-taught by his uncle the Eight Prince. Respectful to his mother and wives. A face youths can relate to.
Tough, but usually throws in the towel whenever Lord Bao threatens to resign.
THE EIGHT PRINCE
Chivalrous, courteous, fatherly, has the biggest heart ever – which earns him the nickname “The Virtuous Prince”. Though not 100% of the time. He can be emotional and take things personally. Sometimes, you have to know which buttons to push with this one.
Happily married. Always gives 5-star dad treatment, not only to the emperor, but to any kid who appears in the show.
It took Lord Bao a while to win the Eight Prince’s alliance. They remain good friends most of the time (as long as Lord Bao doesn’t piss 8th Prince off).
IMPERIAL ADVISOR PANG
Rich, arrogant, greedy, but can make a fair point from time to time. Always walks around like he’s smelling something bad.
Could have been Lord Bao’s ally, but Lord Bao just had to go and execute his son. So – an enemy to Lord Bao and all who stand by Lord Bao.
PRIME MINISTER WANG
Fair, observant and patient. A reliable advisor to the emperor. Refuses to be dragged into any kind of drama, but can speak up when necessary.
His son-in-law broke the law and was executed by Lord Bao’s order (is there anyone’s son that Lord Bao has not executed?), but he’s cool with it. The guy didn’t deserve his daughter, anyway.