Gan Ning

Gan Ning (甘寧) lived from 175 AD to about 218 AD during the period of Chinese history known as the Three Kingdoms Period. He was born in Linjiang during the Ba Prefecture and took the styled name of Xingba. He gained the titles of General Who Oppresses the Enemy with Ferocity and Grand Administrator of Xiling during his military career.

Gan Ning was rough but forthright and head strong. He was open-minded, valorous and skilled in strategy. His lack of respect for material goods was balanced by his respect for talented men. Gan Ning was extravangant and often covered his travelling quarters in silk only to cut the cloth up when he left. He travelled surrounded by carriages and steeds or when by water, galleys or light ships. Ironically, he hated wealth. Throughout his younger years, he paid no heed to chivalry and often committed murder, both in public and in secret.

During his youth, Ning gathered a gang of fellow idle youths. They carried bells as a trademark, causing commoners to either run or hide or invite the party to a feast in order to avoid being looted. He continued the actions of looting, robbing and killing until he was in his 20s. It was then that Gan Ning began to read literature from various intellectuals. This convinced him to put an end to his life of crime and he sought out Liu Biao's patronage. Gan Ning had killed Ling Cao, Ling Tong's father. Ling Tong hated him for it, so much so that Gan Ning went out of his way to avoid Tong. Sun Quan also ordered Ling Tong not to bear a grudge against Gan Ning. However at a party, a confrontation arose between the two, and Tong attacked him. Gan Ning fended Tong off with his chair. At another time, Ning, offering fine-sword play to his fellow officers, found Ling Tong also standing to show off some moves. However, senseing the two were about to fight for real, he interrupted them once more. Sun Quan became aware of Ling Tong's intentions and ordered Gan Ning to the garrison at Banzhou.

While he was living in Nanyang, Gan Ning was not granted an audience with Liu Biao. Liu Biao did not want to hire Gan Ning because of his background. Gan Ning instead went to serve Huang Zu, but he never gained a position of importance nor respect. Even after killing Ling Cao with an arrow attack and holding off Sun Quan's attack, Huang Zu still didn't give him a high position. This irritated Gan Ning. However he couldn't leave to enter Wu in the east as Huang Zu was in Xiakou and his troops couldn't pass.

Su Fei had recommended Gan Ning on many occasions, however Huang Zu wouldn't listen. Zu had even tricked some of Ning's followers to desert him. Gan Ning was afraid that he would not get permission to leave. Su Fei invited him to a feast and told him that he was going to recommend him for the chieftainship of the Zhu prefecture. There, Gan Ning could cross the border and leave for Wu. Gan Ning was grateful and was transferred to the Zhu prefecture on Su Fei's recommendation. Upon arriving, Gan Ning left with those who would follow him.

Gan Ning requested amnesty for Su Fei when Sun Quan ordered the heads of Huang Zu and Su Fei. He was willing to give his own head in exchange if Fei escaped. Sun Quan was moved by Gan Ning's words and granted amnesty to Su Fei.

Following Zhou Yu's attack on Wulin and Nanjun, Gan Ning won many important victories and was promoted to General Who Oppresses the Enemy with Ferocity. He also followed Lu Su to guard Yiyang and to defend against Guan Yu. Gan Ning asked for 500 additional men to fight along with his 300. He was given 1000 men. Guan Yu stopped his advance, camping instead of fording the river. Gan Ning became the Grand Administrator of Xiling and gained control over Yangxin and Xiazhi.

Gan Ning was recommended by both Lu Meng and Zhou Yu. On Gan Ning's advice, Sun Quan marched west to destroy Huang Zu once and for all. Sun Quan captured Huang Zu and took his soldiers prisoner. Gan Ning was given a military comand and was ordered to the Dangkou Garrison.

After, Gan Ning followed Sun Quan to attack Wan and was put in charge of taking the city walls. He did so, capturing its leader by using a chain to tie him up with, and the city was captured. He was then given the title of Rank-Breaking General, second in credit to Lu Meng. Lord Cao attacked from Ruxu and Ning was ordered to break though the front camps. They were sent a special feast from Sun Quan which Gan Ning gave to his men. With his men, Gan Ning sneaked into the camp and attacked. There were no Wu casualities. The enemy retreated and Gan Ning's command increased by 2000 men.

In 216, Gan Ning fought in the Battle of He Fei. Gan Ning watched as his long time rival battled an enemy Wei general in a duel. However, he saw a second officer creep up to aid his ally. Seeing this, Gan Ning took a bow and shot this general who survived despite a grievous eye-wound. Soon afterwards, however, there was a epidemic and the troops retreated. All that was left was about 1000 men guarding Sun Quan's chariot along with Lu Meng, Jiang Qin, Ling Tong and Gan Ning. They were heading north when Zhang Liao caught sight of them. Gan Ning fought bravely beside Ling Tong with bow and arrow. Sun Quan praised Gan Ning for his high spirits and determination.

Gan Ning was very ill when the Shu forces attacked Yiling. Even so, he went into battle. However, despite the man's awesome prowess, Gan Ning fled the field at the sight of the barbarian king Shamo Ke, who was serving Shu. As he retreated, King Shamo Ke fired an arrow at Ning that struck his head. Gan Ning fled, wounded, and managed to reach Fuchikou. Here he dismounted and sat under a tree where he died. It is said that hundreds of crows surrounded his corpse as if to protect him.

Sun Quan greatly grieved for him and erected a temple where he died dedicated to him. It is believed that crows gathering there bid visitors farewell upon their exit.

Note: In the official histories, Gan Ning died of illness before Yiling. His death at Shamo Ke's hands is a fictional fact attributed to the novel.

Gan Ning is a playable character in a video game series known as Dynasty Warriors. He is featured in Dynasty Warriors 2, 3, 4, and 5. Gan Ning is a general for Wu and has to be unlocked in 3, 4 and 5.ja:甘寧