Gao Baoxu

Also known as Nanping Wang

Gao Baoxu, courtesy name Xinggong, was the tenth son of Gao Conghui of Jingnan; sickly as a child, he could turn his father's anger to laughter at a glance, so people of the region called him 'all troubles cease'. During his brother Gao Baorong's reign he handled most government business. When Gao Baorong died in 960 and his son Gao Jichong was still a boy, Gao Baoxu became governor of Jingnan with Song approval. Once in power he gave himself to pleasure, bringing singing girls into his residence for feasts and spending heavily on building while affairs were neglected. He died of illness in 962 at thirty-nine, and his nickname was later remembered as an omen of the state's coming end.