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Gan Ning (birth and death dates unknown), courtesy name Xingba, was a native of Linjiang County, Ba Commandery (present-day Zhong County, Chongqing), and a general of the Wu Kingdom during the late Eastern Han Dynasty.

In his youth, Gan Ning led a large following and terrorized the counties; later, he reformed himself and studied the works of various philosophers. Soon after, Gan Ning joined Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou.
He was not given an official position; instead, he attached himself to Huang Zu, a general under Liu Biao, but still failed to achieve his ambitions. Gan Ning then crossed the Yangtze River south to join Sun Quan, serving under Zhou Yu and...

Recommended by Lü Meng, Gan Ning gained Sun Quan's favor. Gan Ning then offered Sun Quan a plan: he argued that Liu Biao was mediocre and Huang Zu was old, suggesting they could seize Jiangxia as an opportunity.
They then occupied Jingzhou, and then marched west to conquer Yizhou, thus establishing their hegemony.

Sun Quan agreed wholeheartedly and attacked Jiangxia in 208 AD, eliminating Huang Zu. After the battle, Gan Ning was rewarded with an army for his merits and stationed at Dangkou.

During the Battle of Red Cliffs, Gan Ning led his troops to follow Zhou Yu and defeated Cao Cao at Wulin; afterwards, he joined Zhou Yu and others to attack Cao Ren, the Wei general stationed in Nan Commandery.

Gan Ning offered a plan to Zhou Yu, and was ordered to lead his troops to capture Yiling.

In the eighteenth year of Jian'an (213 AD), Cao Cao attacked Ruxu (north of present-day Wuwei City, Anhui Province), and Sun Quan ordered Gan Ning to serve as the vanguard.
Leading his troops to meet the enemy, Gan Ning personally led the charge and repelled Cao Cao's army. The following year, Sun Quan led his army to attack Wan County, and Gan Ning was rewarded for capturing the city and was promoted to General of the Vanguard.

In the 20th year of Jian'an (215 AD), Gan Ning followed Lu Su to guard Yiyang and made meritorious contributions in resisting Guan Yu. Sun Quan appointed him as the governor of Xiling Commandery.

In August of the same year, Gan Ning followed Sun Quan to attack Hefei. They were attacked by Wei general Zhang Liao. Gan Ning and Ling Tong fought bravely and were praised by Sun Quan.

Soon after, Gan Ning died of illness, which deeply saddened Sun Quan.

Gan Ning was brave and fierce. Sun Quan, the ruler of Wu, commented on him: "Although he was rough and bold, he was more like a great man."
The Jin Dynasty historian Chen Shou praised Gan Ning as "open-minded and resourceful, generous with his wealth and respectful to scholars," truly a tiger general of Jiangdong.

Gan Ning once advised Sun Quan to first take Jingzhou and then Bashu. Huang Entong, a minister in the late Qing Dynasty, compared Gan Ning to Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu, praising him as a "wise and capable man who understands the times".

Gan Ning was from Linjiang County, Ba Commandery (present-day Zhong County, Chongqing). In his youth, he was courageous and strong, and enjoyed traveling and helping those in need.

He gathered a group of frivolous young men and made himself their leader. Gan Ning rallied his followers, and they roamed the various counties in large groups.
He even committed murder indiscriminately. The local officials and soldiers found it difficult to suppress Gan Ning and his followers, to the point that officials at all levels in the prefectures and counties treated him with great hospitality.

Otherwise, Gan Ning would allow his young men to plunder and commit crimes, creating chaos in the areas governed by officials at all levels.
This would cause local officials to bear the blame for neglecting their duties.

Gan Ning spent more than twenty years like this; suddenly he stopped robbing and instead began to seriously read the books of the Hundred Schools of Thought.

Gan Ning led eight hundred retainers and servants to Jingzhou to seek refuge with Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou. They moved to Nanyang County, but were not employed by Liu Biao.

At a time of great chaos and the rise of numerous heroes, Gan Ning believed that Liu Biao, a mere Confucian scholar, was untrained in military affairs and would ultimately be unable to achieve great things; he also worried that Jingzhou would one day be captured.
Instead, he implicated himself, so he planned to go to Wu Commandery to seek refuge with Sun Quan in Jiangdong. At that time, Liu Biao's general Huang Zu led his army to be stationed at Xiakou (present-day Huanghu Mountain, Wuchang, Hubei).
Unable to pass through, Gan Ning had no choice but to stay and rely on Huang Zu. He stayed under Huang Zu's command for three years, but Huang Zu did not treat Gan Ning with any respect.

In the eighth year of Jian'an (203 AD), Sun Quan led his army to attack Huang Zu.
Huang Zu's army was defeated and fled, pursued closely by enemy troops. Gan Ning, skilled in archery, led his troops to cover the rear, killing Ling Cao, a colonel under Sun Quan. Huang Zu thus escaped with his life.

After the battle, upon returning to camp, Huang Zu treated Gan Ning the same as before. Su Fei, one of Huang Zu's generals, repeatedly recommended Gan Ning, but Huang Zu refused to give him any important positions.
Instead, he sent men to lure Gan Ning's retainers to his side, and Gan Ning's retainers gradually deserted. Gan Ning also planned to leave, but worried that Huang Zu would not let him go.

Distressed and unsure of what to do, Su Fei, knowing Gan Ning's wishes, persuaded Huang Zu to appoint Gan Ning as a county official. Gan Ning gathered his escaped retainers, acquiring several hundred men, and crossed the Yangtze River to join Sun Quan.

Gan Ning was jointly recommended by Sun Quan's generals Zhou Yu and Lü Meng. Sun Quan appreciated and valued him, treating him like any other old subordinate.

Gan Ning offered Sun Quan a plan, analyzing the overall situation and concluding that the Han dynasty was in decline, Cao Cao was tyrannical and domineering, and would inevitably usurp the throne; the Jingzhou region had strategically important and dangerous terrain.

It is a strategically vital location that military strategists must contend for. Now, Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou, lacks foresight and his descendants are mediocre; we can seize Jingzhou before Cao Cao does.
To capture Jingzhou, we must first eliminate Huang Zu. Huang Zu is old and senile, and his money and supplies are scarce. Now is the time to attack Jiangxia.

After occupying Jingzhou, our power will be greatly enhanced, and we can then consider launching a westward attack to take Yizhou.

Sun Quan strongly agreed with Gan Ning's suggestion. However, Zhang Zhao, the chief clerk present at the time, refuted Gan Ning's argument, stating that the people of Wu Commandery were currently in a state of panic, and that if a large army were to launch a western expedition...
This might lead to chaos. Gan Ning told Zhang Zhao that the state had entrusted him with a crucial responsibility, similar to Xiao He's role in stabilizing the rear during the early Han Dynasty, but he feared unrest.

We cannot simply imitate the ancients. Sun Quan immediately raised his wine cup to Gan Ning, urging him to join the campaign against Huang Zu this year and instructing Gan Ning to diligently devise a military strategy.
Ensuring the army's victory was his achievement; there was no need to heed Zhang Zhao's words. In the spring of Jian'an thirteen (208 AD),

Sun Quan led his troops to attack Huang Zu, killed Huang Zu, and captured all his followers.

Sun Quan then granted Gan Ning troops and ordered him to garrison at the pass.

In the Battle of Red Cliffs, Gan Ning led his troops under Zhou Yu to resist and defeat Cao Cao's army at Wulin (northeast of present-day Honghu City, Hubei Province); he then went to Nan Commandery to besiege Cao Ren.

Zhou Yu and Cao Ren faced off across the river. Gan Ning volunteered to lead his troops directly to capture Yiling (present-day Yichang City, Hubei Province) to the west. Zhou Yu granted his request.
Gan Ning led his troops to capture Yiling and held the city firmly; at that time, he only had a few hundred men under his command, plus the captured enemy soldiers, his forces numbered less than a thousand.

Cao Ren sent five or six thousand men to attack. Gan Ning was attacked for days. The enemy built tall buildings outside the city, and arrows rained down. The soldiers defending the city were terrified.
Gan Ning remained calm and composed, secretly sending a messenger to report to Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu, using Lü Meng's strategy, personally led his generals to the rescue, and decisively defeated the enemy army at Yiling.

In the eighteenth year of Jian'an (213 AD), Cao Cao personally led a large army to attack Ruxu (north of present-day Wuwei City, Anhui Province), claiming to have 400,000 infantry and cavalry.

Sun Quan led an army of 70,000 to meet the enemy.

Sun Quan dispatched Gan Ning with 3,000 men as the vanguard, tasked with attacking the enemy camp. He secretly ordered Gan Ning to select several hundred elite soldiers for a night raid on the Wei army camp.

Before their departure, Sun Quan bestowed upon them wine and food to bolster their morale. That night, at the second watch, Gan Ning led his vanguard, with wooden clubs in their mouths, in a surprise attack on the enemy camp.
The enemy was alarmed and soon retreated. After the battle, Sun Quan valued Gan Ning even more and gave him an additional two thousand soldiers.

In the nineteenth year of Jian'an (214 AD), Sun Quan decided to personally lead his army to attack Wan County (present-day Qianshan, Anhui).

Lü Meng recommended Gan Ning as the vanguard. On the day of the battle, Gan Ning, armed with a rope, personally scaled the city walls, leading from the front and capturing Cao Cao's general, Zhu Guang.
They captured Wan County. After the battle, in a ranking of merits, Lü Meng was ranked first, followed by Gan Ning, and Sun Quan promoted Gan Ning to the rank of General Zhechong.

In the 20th year of Jian'an (215 AD), Gan Ning led his troops to guard Yiyang with Lu Su in order to resist Guan Yu, the Shu general stationed in Jingzhou.

Guan Yu claimed to have 30,000 troops and personally selected 5,000 elite soldiers to go to a shallow area more than ten miles upstream from Yiyang, boasting that he would cross the river at night.
The attack on Yiyang began. Lu Su discussed countermeasures with his generals. Gan Ning, who only had 300 soldiers at the time, suggested that if he could add 500 more men, he could lead his troops to intercept Guan Yu. Knowing of his movements, Guan Yu would not dare cross the river. Lu Su immediately ordered him to select 1,000 elite soldiers, and Gan Ning led his troops to intercept Guan Yu that very night.

Upon learning this, Guan Yu indeed dared not cross the river and had no choice but to set up camp on the spot. Sun Quan commended Gan Ning for his merits and appointed him as the governor of Xiling Commandery, which governed Yangxin and Xiazhi counties.

In August of the 20th year of Jian'an (215 AD), Gan Ning led his troops to attack Hefei with Sun Quan.

At that time, a plague was rampant in the army, and the main force had already retreated, leaving only a thousand or so brave warriors to guard Sun Quan's carriage, along with Lü Meng, Jiang Qin, Ling Tong, and others.

Gan Ning and other generals followed Sun Quan and were stationed north of Xiaoyao Ford (northeast corner of present-day Hefei, Anhui Province). Cao Cao's general Zhang Liao, after scouting and learning of the situation,

He then led his infantry and cavalry in a surprise attack. Gan Ning drew his bow and shot at the enemy, fighting fiercely with Ling Tong. Gan Ning also shouted loudly, asking why there was no sound of war drums. His heroic spirit was soaring, and Sun Quan greatly appreciated him.

Soon after, Gan Ning fell ill and died, which Sun Quan deeply regretted.

Sun Quan, the ruler of Wu, commented: "Although Gan Ning has a rough and forthright personality and some shortcomings, his talent and conduct make him a true gentleman."

Cao Cao has Zhang Liao, and I have Gan Ning; we are enough to rival him.

Wei Yao, a historian from the Wu Kingdom during the Three Kingdoms period, commented: Gan Ning was a man of chivalry and was known for his ability to kill people and then flee and hide, which made him famous in the counties.

The Jin Dynasty historian Chen Shou commented: Although Gan Ning was brutal and fierce, and enjoyed killing, he was also cheerful, straightforward, resourceful, and valued talent over wealth.
He treated his soldiers well, so they were willing to fight to the death for him. Chen Shou, in the *Records of the Three Kingdoms*, compared Gan Ning to Cheng Pu...

Zhou Tai, Han Dang, Jiang Qin, Chen Wu, Dong Xi, Huang Gai, Ling Tong, Xu Sheng, Pan Zhang, and Ding Feng, a total of twelve military generals of Eastern Wu, are listed in the first biography.
They were all considered to be valiant generals of Jiangdong, and subordinates whom the Sun family should treat well.

Song Dynasty scholar Feng Shixing wrote a poem titled "Gan Ning Temple" praising Gan Ning: "Heroes are naturally extraordinary, and the common eyes are blind and deaf."
Since Liu Biao did not recognize him, why even mention Huang Zu? He suddenly escaped his shackles, crossed the river, and found a wise ruler. He effortlessly achieved great merit, his heroic name resounding through the ages.

This means that when Gan Ning first sought refuge with Liu Biao and Huang Zu, neither of them had the discerning eye to recognize his talent; Gan Ning then crossed the river to join Sun Quan, where he was able to establish merit and become famous for all time.

Southern Song scholar Zhang Ruyu commented: "Such as Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Gan Ning, Xu Sheng, Pan Zhang, Zhu Ran, Zhu Huan, He Qi, Ling Tong, and Quan Cong."

Lü Fan and others were all wise enough to command an army and brave enough to resist powerful enemies; none of them were incompetent.

Huang Entong, a minister in the late Qing Dynasty, commented: Gan Ning advised Sun Quan to first take Jingzhou, then Bashu. Gan Ning's strategy was comparable to that of Zhuge Liang...

Zhou Yu was probably similar, which shows that Gan Ning was also a capable and pragmatic person.

A young boy in Gan Ning's kitchen made a mistake and ran away to Lü Meng. Fearing that Gan Ning would kill him, Lü Meng hid the boy and did not immediately send him back.

Later, when Gan Ning came to pay his respects to Lü Meng's mother and wanted to enter the hall to see her, Lü Meng called out a young servant boy and returned him to Gan Ning. Gan Ning promised not to kill him.

But upon returning to the ship, Gan Ning tied the boy to a tree and personally shot him to death with his bow. Lü Meng was enraged, sounded the drums to gather his troops, and prepared to board the ship and attack Gan Ning.
Gan Ning, hearing the commotion, paid no heed. Lü Meng's mother came to dissuade him, arguing that Gan Ning should not be killed because of personal grudges, for doing so would...

Even if it's a violation of the law, Sun Quan will surely question it. Lü Meng, always filial, upon hearing his mother's words, personally went to Gan Ning's ship and greeted him with a smile:

"Xingba, my mother is waiting for you to eat. Hurry up and get ashore." Gan Ning was very ashamed and apologized to Lü Meng with tears in his eyes. Then he went back with Lü Meng to pay his respects to Lü Meng's mother.

Gan Ning was violent and liked to kill. He not only displeased Lü Meng, but also frequently disobeyed Sun Quan's orders. Sun Quan was furious and wanted to punish Gan Ning.

Lu Meng pleaded for him, saying, "The world is not yet at peace, and a brave general like Gan Ning is a rare find. His shortcomings should be tolerated." As a result, Sun Quan treated Gan Ning well, allowing him to charge into battle and play a role for the country.

Gan Ning once had a conflict with Sun Jiao, a member of the Sun Wu royal family, because of a drunken incident. Some people advised Gan Ning to apologize to Sun Jiao, but Gan Ning said:

"Ministers should be equal. Although Sun Jiao is a member of the imperial clan, how can he be insulted? I have encountered a wise ruler, and I should repay him with my strength and my life."

But one cannot compromise oneself for worldly reasons. Sun Quan, upon hearing of this, wrote a letter to Sun Jiao, questioning him about why he had bullied Gan Ning while drinking.

It was also noted that Gan Ning was a rough and unrefined man, and although he had his shortcomings, he was still a great man; Sun Jiao, as a member of the imperial clan and a minister...

With such heavy responsibilities on his shoulders, how could he neglect his generals? After receiving Sun Quan's letter, Sun Jiao was deeply remorseful and apologized to Gan Ning. The two then became friends.

When Gan Ning was still a subordinate of Huang Zu, he shot and killed Ling Tong's father, Ling Cao. Ling Tong harbored resentment because of this, and Gan Ning was constantly on guard against Ling Tong seeking revenge.

He refused to see him. Sun Quan also ordered Ling Tong not to seek revenge against Gan Ning. Once, at a banquet organized by Lü Meng, the generals and soldiers drank heavily...

Ling Tong then performed a sword dance to add to the merriment. Gan Ning immediately stood up and said, "I can also wield both halberds in a dance." Lü Meng said, "Although Gan Ning is capable..."
But not as clever as me.” Lü Meng then grabbed a sword in one hand and a shield in the other, separating Ling Tong and Gan Ning. Later, Sun Quan learned that Ling Tong still intended to take revenge on Gan Ning, so he ordered Gan Ning to lead his troops to garrison in Banzhou.

Historical records do not specify the exact date of Gan Ning's death. The biography of Gan Ning in the *Records of the Three Kingdoms* states that he died in August of the 20th year of Jian'an (215 AD).

He died of illness shortly after participating in the Battle of Hefei with Sun Quan. However, in the biography of Pan Zhang in the Records of the Three Kingdoms, it is recorded that he died in December of the 1th year of Jian'an (January 220 AD).

After Ma Zhong, a subordinate of Pan Zhang, captured and killed Guan Yu, there is a record stating that "Gan Ning died, and (Pan Zhang) then absorbed his army." Based on this, it can be inferred that Gan Ning died around that time.

It should be between 215 and 220 AD, after Gan Ning's death, that Pan Zhang took over his army. However, in the biography of Sun Jiao in the *Records of the Three Kingdoms*,
The record recounts a conflict between Gan Ning and Sun Jiao, during which Sun Quan wrote a letter rebuking Sun Jiao, mentioning that "ten years have passed since I became enemies with the north."
Sun Quan broke with Cao Cao in 208 AD and allied with Liu Bei to defeat Cao Cao at the Battle of Red Cliffs. Based on this, it can be inferred that Gan Ning was still alive in 218 AD, therefore his death should be between 218 and 220 AD. (End of Chapter)