| Zhao Baozhai | |
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Zhao Baozhai (赵宝斋, 1990 - 2022) is the head of the Abstergo Foundation Rehabilitation Center in Beijing. She is also secretly a member of the Templar Order's Inner Sanctum and the older half-sister of Jin Chen.
In 2022, Abstergo discovered the existence of Jin Chen - the last living descendant of the Kavanagh family, an Assassin-Templar family that repeatedly encountered pieces of the Armor of Ares during the 16th and 17th century. Knowing of its memory manipulation properties, Abstergo restarted its search to acquire the Armor through Chen's genetic memories. Recognising Chen as her half-brother, Baozhai desired to find him for her own reasons.
Biography[]
Early life[]
Baozhai was the first child and illegitimate daughter of Chen Junfeng and an unknown woman. Baozhai would spend the first few years of her life with her father, having developed a loving relationship with him. However, due to the nature of Junfeng's work of running with the Triads, he would start to focus more on his work and leave Baozhai and her mother.
Without the support of Junfeng, Baozhai and her mother struggled to survive and she was forced to grow up in relative poverty. As a result, she developed a deep-seated resentment toward her father. As well as this, Baozhai's troubled upbringing motivated Baozhai to work hard in school in order to earn a high-paying job and support her mother, as well as provide them with a better life.
Baozhai would eventually gain access to Peking University. During her time at college, Baozhai's work garnered the interest of Abstergo Industries, who would offer her a place among the company following Baozhai's graduation. Eventually, Baozhai would be offered a place within the Templar Order which she accepted.
Meeting her half-brother[]
In 2022, Abstergo had rediscovered the existence of the Armor of Ares through their investigation into the Templar Lonan Kavanagh and his family. Abstergo, and in-turn Baozhai, began a prompt search into either locating the remains of the family members or the Kavanaghs' descendants. In June, Abstergo successfully located the Kavanaghs' last living descendant, Jin Chen, who she would soon realise was her half-brother.
Baozhai was notified of Abstergo's failed attempt at retrieving Jin in Philadelphia and, having developed an interest in her half-brother, made it her priority to find him for her own personal reasons.
A few weeks later, Baozhai would successfully locate one of Chen's allies Roberto Garcia and order his capture to serve him up as bait for Chen. Following this success, Jin offered himself up to Abstergo in exchange for his ally's safety and Baozhai would reveal herself as his half-sister, piquing his curiosity. Subsequently have Jin relive the memories of his Assassin ancestor and member of the Kavanagh family, Takao Hayato, in order to locate the Armor of Ares. Baozhai assigned Huang Min to oversee and monitor his Animus sessions in order to make sure no harm would come to him.
During this time, Baozhai revealed pieces of her past and their familial connection as well as attempting to convert him to the Templars' side. She nearly succeeded but Jin would ultimately align himself with the Assassins and secretly work against her alongside Ming, a secret member of the Preservers of Humanity who had manipulated Jin against her.
Locating the Armor of Ares[]
Following Jin locating the Armor of Ares through his ancestor's memories, Baozhai subsequently sent the footage to her superiors and planned to personally oversee the Piece of Eden's recovery herself. However, at this same time, the Chinese Brotherhood attacked the Beijing facility in order to rescue Jin.
During the attack, Baozhai would discover that Jin and Min had worked against her and was led to believe that the Assassins were present at their behest. Angered by her brother's betrayal, she ordered the Abstergo security to apprehend Jin and kill Min. Following this, she was escorted to the helipad on the roof and promptly made her escape, heading to Japan in order to retrieve the Armor of Ares.
Death[]
Baozhai led a recovery team to the former Hashimoto estate in order to retrieve the Chestplate of Ares. Meanwhile, other Abstergo teams battled the Assassins and Preservers in Tokyo and Kyoto, searching for the other two Armor pieces - the Sword and Shield. Eventually, Jin and a cell of Assassins comprising of Gina Garcia, Roberto, and Samantha Maguire would intercept the Abstergo recovery team.
Jin and Gina managed to dispatch the armed Abstergo members, leaving Baozhai alone with the Assassins. Baozhai confronted Jin who expressed her disappointment in his decision to ally with the Assassins. Despite this, Jin - now knowing Baozhai was not involved in his mother's murder - wanted to reconcile somehow. He told her that they didn't have to fight and that their familial connection should overrule their dedication to the Assassins and Templars. Despite this, Baozhai reminded him of Lonan and Hayato, and how their nature as father and son bared no weight on their duties - no matter how hard they tried. Pleadingly, Jin stateed that the two of them are all that they have in the world but a dismissive Baozhai states that he made his choice when he betrayed her.
Suddenly, Baozhai is shot in the back by the Preserver Maria, who had escoted Min to retrieve the Chestplate. Jin rushed to Baozhai and placed pressure on her wound. Calling out to Samantha in desperation, he pleaded for her to help Baozhai. Emerging from their hiding spots, they came to Jin's aid although Robbie expressed his reluctance to save a Templar regardless if she was Jin's half-sister or not. However, Sam reminded him that she is a high-ranking Templar and having her as a prisoner could be useful.
Despite Sam's attempts, Baozhai would pass away from her injuries.
Trivia[]
- Baozhai is a Chinese name meaning "precious hairpin". Zhao is a Chinese surname, means “walk quickly” and “jump” in ancient Chinese.
- Baozhai stands at 5'0" and weighs 95lbs