Gao Lan
Encyclopedia
Gao Lan was a military general serving under the warlord Yuan Shao
during the late Han Dynasty
period of Chinese history
. He fought in many battles and was respected as a brave man by Yuan. He defected to Cao Cao
's side after Yuan's defeat in the Battle of Guandu
.
. Yuan dispatched Chunyu Qiong
and others to guard Wuchao, where Yuan kept his food supplies. Cao personally led a raid on Wuchao with a small force, disguised as Yuan's men, to debilitate Yuan.
Zhang He
, one of Yuan's generals, said to his lord: "Duke Cao's armies are elite, they would surely defeat Chunyu Qiong. After Chunyu Qiong is defeated, the army will scatter. Instead, let me and Gao Lan reinforce Wuchao." Yuan's advisor Guo Tu
remarked, "Zhang He's plans are bad. Instead, let us attack the original source (referring to Cao Cao's main camp), power will surely return to our side. This explanation is why reinforcements should not be sent." Zhang then replied: "Duke Cao's encampment is solidified, it is too hard to uproot. If Chunyu Qiong's camp is captured we will be depleted and captured in turn. Cao will be too enveloped in taking Wuchao to leave a guard. I entreat you to attack his main camp."
Yuan Shao did not send the reinforcements to aid Chunyu Qiong, instead he sent five companies under Zhang He and Gao to attack Cao's main army. Through a ruse involving Xu Chu
and Zhang Liao
, they beat Chunyu Qiong out of the granaries, and Yuan was led to believe that the granaries had been successfully defended.
Yuan Shao's army, which was attacking Cao's main camp, was presently being attacked on three sides, and when the men came back from Wuchao, they came up on Yuan's rear, surrounding the five companies. However, Zhang He and Gao escaped, but altogether Yuan Shao's army was defeated. When Chunyu reached the main army, which was decimated, he was brought in to see Yuan Shao. Yuan railed at him, asking why the defenses of the granary had been sparse. Chunyu's men told Shao that Chunyu had been intoxicated that night, and Chunyu Qiong was executed forthwith.
Guo Tu was ashamed and plotted against Zhang He and Gao, and said to Yuan Shao, "Zhang He and Gao Lan were glad when your armies were defeated." He was asked how he knew this and thus replied, "They have long wished to defect to Cao Cao, so when you put them on this duty, they did not try their best and brought on this disaster." Yuan then sent a messenger to recall and interrogate them, but Gao knew of the plans ahead of time and when the messenger came to recall them, he killed him and both himself and Zhang truly defected to Cao, lest they be destroyed.
, or Han Xin
, who left Xiang Yu
to serve the Han Dynasty.”
Cao awarded Gao the rank of adjutant general as well as appointing him Lord of Donglai. His abilities were immediately put to use against his old lord, Yuan Shao. Xu You
, who had also surrendered to Cao, advised a raid on Yuan's now demoralized camps. Gao offered to lead the attack and, along with Zhang, set off to raid the camp. Gao divided his forces into separate units and instructed his army to attack on all sides. At the appointed time, Gao led the attack on the camps and devastated Yuan Shao's army, demiating half of his men. The fighting went on until morning at which point Gao led his victorious troops back to his own camp. Yuan Shao, having suffered defeat at Guandu, retreated back to Ji Province.
Cao Cao started a follow up campaign against Yuan Shao at Ji Province in which Gao was an integral part. Initially, Cao's army suffered defeat at the hands of Yuan Shao's son, Yuan Shang, and was forced to retreat to the river. Cao ordered ten units divided in five pairs to assemble, and Gao was commander of the fifth. Yuan Shao indubitably followed and was defeated by Cao's counter attack. Predicting this outcome, Gao placed his troops in ambush along the road to Ji Province. Yuan Shao's defeated troops were spotted retreating along the road and once they came upon Gao, his men emerged from the left side of the road, while troops of Xiahou Yuan's sprung from the right, delivering severe injuries to the northern army and almost killing Yuan Shao himself.
Soon after the victory at Ji Province, word came of an attack being made on the capital of Xuchang
by Liu Bei
. Cao Cao, along with Gao, abound Ji Province for the time being to thwart Liu. Cao's army met Liu, but fatigued from their long march, were defeated in the first battle. To divide Liu's forces, Cao had Xiahou Dun
attack Liu's camp, another unit attack a supply train, and Xu Chu attack Liu himself. Liu was thus defeated and forced into flight, and Cao ordered Gao to pursue and attack him. He set out and reached Liu's troops and Liu, horrified at Gao's arrival, attempted to take his own life, but his commander Liu Pi stopped him. Liu Pi then charged at Gao, but was cut down at the moment of engagement. Gao then ordered his troops to descend the hill and attack Liu Bei, but before they could he was distracted from rearward action. Gao turned to see the enemy commander Zhao Yun
charging through his men, but before he could guard himself, Zhao reached Gao and impaled him on the spot.
Yuan Shao
Yuan Shao was a warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He occupied the northern territories of China during the civil war that occurred towards the end of the Han Dynasty and the beginning of the Three Kingdoms era...
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 fought in many battles and was respected as a brave man by Yuan. He defected to 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 side after Yuan's defeat in the Battle of Guandu
Battle of Guandu
The Battle of Guandu was a military conflict between the warlords Cao Cao and Yuan Shao in 200 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The battle, which concluded with victory for Cao Cao, was a turning point in the war between the two warlords...
.
Serving Yuan Shao
Cao Cao and Yuan Shao faced off with each other at the Battle of GuanduBattle of Guandu
The Battle of Guandu was a military conflict between the warlords Cao Cao and Yuan Shao in 200 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The battle, which concluded with victory for Cao Cao, was a turning point in the war between the two warlords...
. Yuan dispatched Chunyu Qiong
Chunyu Qiong
Chunyu Qiong was a military general serving under the warlord Yuan Shao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He played a significant part in the Battle of Guandu in 200.-Biography:...
and others to guard Wuchao, where Yuan kept his food supplies. Cao personally led a raid on Wuchao with a small force, disguised as Yuan's men, to debilitate Yuan.
Zhang He
Zhang He
Zhang He was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty era of Chinese history. He continued serving the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period until his death....
, one of Yuan's generals, said to his lord: "Duke Cao's armies are elite, they would surely defeat Chunyu Qiong. After Chunyu Qiong is defeated, the army will scatter. Instead, let me and Gao Lan reinforce Wuchao." Yuan's advisor Guo Tu
Guo Tu
Guo Tu was an advisor to the warlord Yuan Shao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. Yuan often sought his advice for civil and military decisions.-Serving Yuan Shao:...
remarked, "Zhang He's plans are bad. Instead, let us attack the original source (referring to Cao Cao's main camp), power will surely return to our side. This explanation is why reinforcements should not be sent." Zhang then replied: "Duke Cao's encampment is solidified, it is too hard to uproot. If Chunyu Qiong's camp is captured we will be depleted and captured in turn. Cao will be too enveloped in taking Wuchao to leave a guard. I entreat you to attack his main camp."
Yuan Shao did not send the reinforcements to aid Chunyu Qiong, instead he sent five companies under Zhang He and Gao to attack Cao's main army. Through a ruse involving Xu Chu
Xu Chu
Xu Chu was a warrior who lived during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He served as a bodyguard to the warlord Cao Cao. Gigantic and strong, yet simple-minded and honest, Xu Chu was referred to as "Dumb Tiger" by his fellow men...
and Zhang Liao
Zhang 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...
, they beat Chunyu Qiong out of the granaries, and Yuan was led to believe that the granaries had been successfully defended.
Yuan Shao's army, which was attacking Cao's main camp, was presently being attacked on three sides, and when the men came back from Wuchao, they came up on Yuan's rear, surrounding the five companies. However, Zhang He and Gao escaped, but altogether Yuan Shao's army was defeated. When Chunyu reached the main army, which was decimated, he was brought in to see Yuan Shao. Yuan railed at him, asking why the defenses of the granary had been sparse. Chunyu's men told Shao that Chunyu had been intoxicated that night, and Chunyu Qiong was executed forthwith.
Guo Tu was ashamed and plotted against Zhang He and Gao, and said to Yuan Shao, "Zhang He and Gao Lan were glad when your armies were defeated." He was asked how he knew this and thus replied, "They have long wished to defect to Cao Cao, so when you put them on this duty, they did not try their best and brought on this disaster." Yuan then sent a messenger to recall and interrogate them, but Gao knew of the plans ahead of time and when the messenger came to recall them, he killed him and both himself and Zhang truly defected to Cao, lest they be destroyed.
Serving Cao Cao
Zhang He and Gao gathered their troops and set off for Cao Cao's camp, who gave them permission to enter. Coming before Cao, Gao and Zhang disarmed themselves and bowed low obeisance. "Had Yuan Shao listened to you," Cao remarked, “he could have spared himself this defeat. Now you two have come to us like Weizi, who quit the dying Shang DynastyShang Dynasty
The Shang Dynasty or Yin Dynasty was, according to traditional sources, the second Chinese dynasty, after the Xia. They ruled in the northeastern regions of the area known as "China proper" in the Yellow River valley...
, or Han Xin
Hán Xìn
Han Xin was a military general who served Liu Bang during the Chu–Han contention and contributed greatly to the founding of the Han Dynasty...
, who left Xiang Yu
Xiang Yu
Xiang Yu was a prominent military leader and political figure during the late Qin Dynasty. His given name was Ji while his style name was Yu ....
to serve the Han Dynasty.”
Cao awarded Gao the rank of adjutant general as well as appointing him Lord of Donglai. His abilities were immediately put to use against his old lord, Yuan Shao. Xu You
Xu You
Xu You was a strategist serving under the warlord Yuan Shao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was known to be greedy by nature....
, who had also surrendered to Cao, advised a raid on Yuan's now demoralized camps. Gao offered to lead the attack and, along with Zhang, set off to raid the camp. Gao divided his forces into separate units and instructed his army to attack on all sides. At the appointed time, Gao led the attack on the camps and devastated Yuan Shao's army, demiating half of his men. The fighting went on until morning at which point Gao led his victorious troops back to his own camp. Yuan Shao, having suffered defeat at Guandu, retreated back to Ji Province.
Cao Cao started a follow up campaign against Yuan Shao at Ji Province in which Gao was an integral part. Initially, Cao's army suffered defeat at the hands of Yuan Shao's son, Yuan Shang, and was forced to retreat to the river. Cao ordered ten units divided in five pairs to assemble, and Gao was commander of the fifth. Yuan Shao indubitably followed and was defeated by Cao's counter attack. Predicting this outcome, Gao placed his troops in ambush along the road to Ji Province. Yuan Shao's defeated troops were spotted retreating along the road and once they came upon Gao, his men emerged from the left side of the road, while troops of Xiahou Yuan's sprung from the right, delivering severe injuries to the northern army and almost killing Yuan Shao himself.
Soon after the victory at Ji Province, word came of an attack being made on the capital of Xuchang
Xuchang
Xuchang is a prefecture-level city in central Henan province in Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the northwest, Kaifeng to the northeast, Zhoukou to the east, Luohe to the southeast, and Pingdingshan to the southwest....
by Liu Bei
Liu Bei
Liu Bei , also known as Liu Xuande, was a warlord, military general and later the founding emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history...
. Cao Cao, along with Gao, abound Ji Province for the time being to thwart Liu. Cao's army met Liu, but fatigued from their long march, were defeated in the first battle. To divide Liu's forces, Cao had Xiahou Dun
Xiahou Dun
Xiahou Dun was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. Cao Cao's original family name was Xiahou, but his father Cao Song was the adopted son of the eunuch Cao Teng, so Xiahou Dun and Cao Cao share blood relations...
attack Liu's camp, another unit attack a supply train, and Xu Chu attack Liu himself. Liu was thus defeated and forced into flight, and Cao ordered Gao to pursue and attack him. He set out and reached Liu's troops and Liu, horrified at Gao's arrival, attempted to take his own life, but his commander Liu Pi stopped him. Liu Pi then charged at Gao, but was cut down at the moment of engagement. Gao then ordered his troops to descend the hill and attack Liu Bei, but before they could he was distracted from rearward action. Gao turned to see the enemy commander Zhao Yun
Zhao Yun
Zhao Yun was a military general who lived during the late Han Dynasty and early Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. For most of his career, Zhao served the warlord Liu Bei, playing a part in the establishment of state of Shu Han...
charging through his men, but before he could guard himself, Zhao reached Gao and impaled him on the spot.