Gan Ning
Encyclopedia
Gan Ning was a military general serving under the warlord Sun Quan
during the late Han Dynasty
period of Chinese history
. He was born in Linjiang, Ba Commandery (present-day Zhong County
, Chongqing
).
's patronage, but was rejected for his background.
, who was a local gentry and warlord of Jiangxia. Huang did not trust him and gave him an unworthy position. In an attack against Huang by Sun Quan
's general, Ling Cao
, at the Battle of Xiakou
, Huang was nearly killed, and amidst the chaos and disarray, Gan fired a stray arrow that killed Ling, resulting in the safe retreat of Huang. However, the embarrassed Huang did not reward him nor respect him.
Su Fei
, Gan's friend, was a trusted servant of Huang Zu, so he recommended Gan to Huang on several occasions. However, Huang refused Su's recommendation, primarily based on Gan's past, and even enticed his men to abandon Gan. Nevertheless, Gan was aware of the situation and was apprehensive, so Su asked the chieftainship of Zhu prefecture for Gan, and Huang did appoint Gan as the chief, which enabled Gan to cross the border from Zhu prefecture to join Sun Quan with several hundreds of his men.
and Lü Meng
to meet Sun face to face. During the ensuing meeting, Gan detailed the reasons why Sun could overcome Huang Zu, and even debated with Zhang Zhao
, a senior official who held a different opinion than he did, to persuade Sun to march west to destroy Huang Zu once and for all. Sun finally heeded the advice of Gan, and brought the latter with him (Gan was a staff rather than a military personnel at the time) during the Battle of Jiangxia
. Even though the battle was far harder won than estimated by Gan, Huang Zu was indeed captured, and Gan was finally given a military post after the victory.
Gan then asked amnesty for Su Fei when Sun Quan specifically ordered the heads of Huang Zu and Su. Being determined to save his friend, Gan even told Sun to exchange Su's head by his in the case that Su would attempt to flee; Sun was moved by Gan's words and granted his request.
, but Gan was definitely a participant. After a complete victory in the battle, he followed Zhou Yu to launch a campaign on Nan commandery
. During the war, he told Zhou that he could lead a light force to occupy Yiling in anticipation to secure the entrance to Yi Province. He succeeded his mission, but the enemy commander, Cao Ren
immediately sent five to six thousand strong cavalry to Yiling, and had him surrounded inside the city. When the Wu force got news of Gan being sieged, nearly everyone told Zhou that there were not enough men to spare as relief force. However, Lü Meng stood up and claimed Gan should be saved, and that he guaranteed Ling Tong
could guard the main camp on his own for at least ten days. Thus, Gan was saved due to Lü Meng's suggestion and Ling Tong's honorable action.
Afterwards, Gan acted as the vanguard for Sun Quan to attack Wan, a city then under Cao Cao
's control. Being the first one to climb the city wall, he also personally defeated the governor of Wan, Zhu Guang, with an iron chain, who was then captured. Thus, he was given the title of Rank-Breaking General, second in credit to Lü Meng for accomplishment in this battle.
, Gan stationed his troops in Yiyang in anticipation for Guan's couterattack. Moving down from Jiangling, Guan was intercepted by Gan and Lu Su
who were waiting there, then Gan told Lu Su that Guan would not even dare to engage them as long as he was present, and that he could capture Guan if he had 800 soldiers in command; on the other hand, Guan was leading 30,000 soldiers at the time, so Lu Su gave Gan 1,000 men, which he led to challenge Guan to a battle right away. Indeed, Guan did not dare to accept Gan's challenge, and because of that, the location of the incident is still called "Guan Yu's Shallow" today. After some skirmishes in southern Jing, Liu Bei received intelligence that Cao Cao was considering an invasion into Hanzhong, which was the northern gateway for Yi Province, homebase of Liu. Therefore, Liu requested a border treaty with Sun, who agreed and led troops to dilute Cao's forces.
when attacking Hefei
from Ruxu, and, hearing that Cao had personally come to the city's aid with a 400,000 strong army (Cao Cao's claim), Zhang Zhao, the chief staff of Sun, proposed raiding the camps of Cao's army in order to lower their morale. Gan then volunteered to perform a night raid with only 100 horsemen. Covered by the night, Gan sneaked into Cao's camp, set fire everywhere, and attacked randomly. In chaos, Cao's soldiers were not sure the size and location of their opponent, so the defenders were unable to perform an effective couterattack. After generating a great chaos in Cao's main camp, Gan then returned to the camp with all 100 men. Sun Quan, pleased with his exceptional success, granted him one thousand pieces of silk and a hundred sharp swords for his 100 horsemen, and exclaimed, "Mengde (Cao Cao's style name) has Zhang Liao, and I have Xingba (Gan Ning's style name)!"
, where he was killed by an arrow fired by the barbarian king Shamoke
, who was Liu Bei's ally. His cause and time of death are not found in historical sources.
and Warriors Orochi
video game series.
Gan Xing (甘興), a character played by Nakamura Shidō in the 2008 film Red Cliff, is said to be based on Gan Ning. In the film, Gan Xing was severely wounded by enemy arrows during the allied army's attack on Cao Cao's land fortress. He packed himself with explosives and hurled them towards the gate, destroying it for friendly forces to penetrate the enemy's defenses. However he was killed in the blast.
Sun Quan
Sun Quan , son of Sun Jian, formally Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He ruled from 222 to 229 as King of Wu and from 229 to 252 as Emperor of Wu....
during the late Han Dynasty
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
period of Chinese history
History of China
Chinese civilization originated in various regional centers along both the Yellow River and the Yangtze River valleys in the Neolithic era, but the Yellow River is said to be the Cradle of Chinese Civilization. With thousands of years of continuous history, China is one of the world's oldest...
. He was born in Linjiang, Ba Commandery (present-day Zhong County
Zhong County
Zhong County , formerly named Linjiang is a county of Chongqing Municipality in China.The Shibaozhai Temple, which is endangered by the rising waters caused by the Three Gorges Dam, is located there.-External links:*...
, Chongqing
Chongqing
Chongqing is a major city in Southwest China and one of the five national central cities of China. Administratively, it is one of the PRC's four direct-controlled municipalities , and the only such municipality in inland China.The municipality was created on 14 March 1997, succeeding the...
).
Early life as a pirate
As a youth, Gan served under the warlord Liu Yan but revolted when the latter died. After his rebellion failed, he led a band of bandits carrying bows and crossbows to wander the lands. They wore bells about their waists and bone ornaments in their hair as a mark, causing commoners to either run or hide when they heard the ring of bells. He kept looting, robbing and killing until he decided to pursue scholarly arts. After reading some literary texts by different philosophers, Gan sought the warlord Liu BiaoLiu Biao
Liu Biao , style name Jingsheng , was a warlord and the governor of Jing Province during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was a member of the extended family of the Han Dynasty emperors...
's patronage, but was rejected for his background.
Service under Huang Zu
Instead, he went to join Liu Biao's general Huang ZuHuang Zu
Huang Zu was a military general serving under the warlord Liu Biao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was an experienced naval commander, and was most famous for having skillful warriors like Sun Jian and Ling Cao killed in battle.-Background:Huang was born in an influential...
, who was a local gentry and warlord of Jiangxia. Huang did not trust him and gave him an unworthy position. In an attack against Huang by Sun Quan
Sun Quan
Sun Quan , son of Sun Jian, formally Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He ruled from 222 to 229 as King of Wu and from 229 to 252 as Emperor of Wu....
's general, Ling Cao
Ling Cao
Ling Cao was a military officer serving under the warlord Sun Ce during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was the father of Ling Tong.-Early life:...
, at the Battle of Xiakou
Battle of Xiakou
The Battle of Xiakou was a battle fought between the warlords Sun Quan and Liu Biao in 203 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Sun Quan's forces attempted to conquer Jiangxia Commandery , which was defended by Liu Biao's general Huang Zu...
, Huang was nearly killed, and amidst the chaos and disarray, Gan fired a stray arrow that killed Ling, resulting in the safe retreat of Huang. However, the embarrassed Huang did not reward him nor respect him.
Su Fei
Su Fei
Su Fei was a military general serving under the warlord Liu Biao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was a subordinate of Huang Zu and fought in the Battle of Xiakou against Sun Quan's forces...
, Gan's friend, was a trusted servant of Huang Zu, so he recommended Gan to Huang on several occasions. However, Huang refused Su's recommendation, primarily based on Gan's past, and even enticed his men to abandon Gan. Nevertheless, Gan was aware of the situation and was apprehensive, so Su asked the chieftainship of Zhu prefecture for Gan, and Huang did appoint Gan as the chief, which enabled Gan to cross the border from Zhu prefecture to join Sun Quan with several hundreds of his men.
Battle of Jiangxia
Upon arrival at Sun Quan's camp, Gan was recommended by Zhou YuZhou Yu
Zhou Yu was a military general and strategist who served his close friend, the warlord Sun Ce, during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history...
and Lü Meng
Lü Meng
Lü Meng was a military general serving under the warlord Sun Quan during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He served as the commanding general in the invasion of Jing Province that led to the death of Guan Yu.-Early life:Lü Meng was born in Fupo, Runan Commandery in 178...
to meet Sun face to face. During the ensuing meeting, Gan detailed the reasons why Sun could overcome Huang Zu, and even debated with Zhang Zhao
Zhang Zhao
Zhang Zhao was an official of Eastern Wu during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of China.-Biography:Zhang was born in present-day Jiangsu. A brilliant scholar, he devoted his life mainly to the study of Chinese classic texts...
, a senior official who held a different opinion than he did, to persuade Sun to march west to destroy Huang Zu once and for all. Sun finally heeded the advice of Gan, and brought the latter with him (Gan was a staff rather than a military personnel at the time) during the Battle of Jiangxia
Battle of Jiangxia
The Battle of Jiangxia was a battle fought in 208 between the forces of the warlords Sun Quan and Liu Biao during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
. Even though the battle was far harder won than estimated by Gan, Huang Zu was indeed captured, and Gan was finally given a military post after the victory.
Gan then asked amnesty for Su Fei when Sun Quan specifically ordered the heads of Huang Zu and Su. Being determined to save his friend, Gan even told Sun to exchange Su's head by his in the case that Su would attempt to flee; Sun was moved by Gan's words and granted his request.
Battles against Cao Cao's forces
Historically, not many generals under Sun Quan were involved in the Battle of Red CliffsBattle of Red Cliffs
The Battle of Red Cliffs, otherwise known as the Battle of Chibi, was a decisive battle at the end of the Han Dynasty, immediately prior to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. It was fought in the winter of 208/9 AD between the allied forces of the southern warlords Liu Bei and Sun Quan...
, but Gan was definitely a participant. After a complete victory in the battle, he followed Zhou Yu to launch a campaign on Nan commandery
Battle of Jiangling
The Battle of Jiangling was fought by the allied forces of Sun Quan and Liu Bei against Cao Cao during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
. During the war, he told Zhou that he could lead a light force to occupy Yiling in anticipation to secure the entrance to Yi Province. He succeeded his mission, but the enemy commander, Cao Ren
Cao Ren
Cao Ren was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He played a significant part in assisting Cao Cao in the civil wars leading to the end of the Han Dynasty...
immediately sent five to six thousand strong cavalry to Yiling, and had him surrounded inside the city. When the Wu force got news of Gan being sieged, nearly everyone told Zhou that there were not enough men to spare as relief force. However, Lü Meng stood up and claimed Gan should be saved, and that he guaranteed Ling Tong
Ling Tong
Ling Tong was a military general of the state of Eastern Wu during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He started his service to the Sun family since his childhood, and throughout his entire life, he had been contributing to the foundation and solidification of Eastern Wu...
could guard the main camp on his own for at least ten days. Thus, Gan was saved due to Lü Meng's suggestion and Ling Tong's honorable action.
Afterwards, Gan acted as the vanguard for Sun Quan to attack Wan, a city then under Cao Cao
Cao Cao
Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled...
's control. Being the first one to climb the city wall, he also personally defeated the governor of Wan, Zhu Guang, with an iron chain, who was then captured. Thus, he was given the title of Rank-Breaking General, second in credit to Lü Meng for accomplishment in this battle.
Guan Yu's shallow
When Lü Meng and Ling Tong took three commanderies of southern Jing Province from Guan YuGuan Yu
Guan Yu was a general serving under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han Dynasty of China. He played a significant role in the civil war that led to the collapse of the Han Dynasty and the establishment of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period, of which Liu Bei was the...
, Gan stationed his troops in Yiyang in anticipation for Guan's couterattack. Moving down from Jiangling, Guan was intercepted by Gan and Lu Su
Lu Su
Lu Su , style name Zijing , was a politician, militarist and diplomat serving under the warlord Sun Quan during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history...
who were waiting there, then Gan told Lu Su that Guan would not even dare to engage them as long as he was present, and that he could capture Guan if he had 800 soldiers in command; on the other hand, Guan was leading 30,000 soldiers at the time, so Lu Su gave Gan 1,000 men, which he led to challenge Guan to a battle right away. Indeed, Guan did not dare to accept Gan's challenge, and because of that, the location of the incident is still called "Guan Yu's Shallow" today. After some skirmishes in southern Jing, Liu Bei received intelligence that Cao Cao was considering an invasion into Hanzhong, which was the northern gateway for Yi Province, homebase of Liu. Therefore, Liu requested a border treaty with Sun, who agreed and led troops to dilute Cao's forces.
Night raid with 100 riders
Later, Sun Quan was held off by Cao Cao's general, Zhang LiaoZhang Liao
Zhang Liao was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty and early Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He participated in many campaigns, including those against Yuan Shao's clan and the Wuhuan tribes...
when attacking Hefei
Hefei
Hefei is the capital and largest city of Anhui Province in Eastern China. A prefecture-level city, it is the political, economic, and cultural centre of Anhui...
from Ruxu, and, hearing that Cao had personally come to the city's aid with a 400,000 strong army (Cao Cao's claim), Zhang Zhao, the chief staff of Sun, proposed raiding the camps of Cao's army in order to lower their morale. Gan then volunteered to perform a night raid with only 100 horsemen. Covered by the night, Gan sneaked into Cao's camp, set fire everywhere, and attacked randomly. In chaos, Cao's soldiers were not sure the size and location of their opponent, so the defenders were unable to perform an effective couterattack. After generating a great chaos in Cao's main camp, Gan then returned to the camp with all 100 men. Sun Quan, pleased with his exceptional success, granted him one thousand pieces of silk and a hundred sharp swords for his 100 horsemen, and exclaimed, "Mengde (Cao Cao's style name) has Zhang Liao, and I have Xingba (Gan Ning's style name)!"
Death
Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms provided a fictional account of Gan Ning's death during the Battle of XiaotingBattle of Xiaoting
The Battle of Xiaoting, also known as the Battle of Yiling and the Battle of Yiling and Xiaoting, was fought between the states of Eastern Wu and Shu Han in 222 during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history...
, where he was killed by an arrow fired by the barbarian king Shamoke
Shamoke
Shamoke was the king of the tribal people of the five valleys in Wuling during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. During the Battle of Xiaoting between the warlords Liu Bei and Sun Quan, Shamoke led his troops to support Liu and was granted an official post by Liu...
, who was Liu Bei's ally. His cause and time of death are not found in historical sources.
Family
- Sons:
- Gan Huai (甘瓌), exiled to Kuaiji for committing a crime
- Gan Shu (甘述), served as Imperial Secretary in Eastern Wu
Appointments and titles held
- Administrator of Xiling (西陵太守)
- General Who Subdues (折沖將軍)
- Prefect of Dangkou (當口令)
Appraisals
Gan was rough and murderous, but open-minded, valorous and skilled in tactics. His lack of respect for discipline was balanced by his value for skillful warriors. He was extravagant and often covered his traveling quarters in silk only to cut the cloth up when he left, he used to travel with his gangs by carriages and steeds on land, and by galleys or light ships on water. He also committed murders both in public and in secret.Modern references
Gan Ning is featured as a playable character in Koei's Dynasty WarriorsDynasty Warriors
is a series of tactical action video games created by Omega Force and Koei. The award-winning series is a spin-off of Koei's turn-based strategy Romance of the Three Kingdoms series, based loosely around the Chinese classical novel of the same name. The first game titled Dynasty Warriors,...
and Warriors Orochi
Warriors Orochi
, is a PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 hack and slash video game developed by Koei and Omega Force. It is a crossover of two of Koei's popular video game series, Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors...
video game series.
Gan Xing (甘興), a character played by Nakamura Shidō in the 2008 film Red Cliff, is said to be based on Gan Ning. In the film, Gan Xing was severely wounded by enemy arrows during the allied army's attack on Cao Cao's land fortress. He packed himself with explosives and hurled them towards the gate, destroying it for friendly forces to penetrate the enemy's defenses. However he was killed in the blast.