Gan Ning (Xingba) 甘寧 (興霸)

Place of Birth: Linjiang, Ba Prefecture (Presently Zhong County in Sichuan Province)

Lifespan: AD 175 – Circa 218
Titles: General Who Oppresses the Enemy with Ferocity, Grand Administrator of Xiling

In his youth, Gan Ning was brave and strong; however he did not have any rules and used his skills for assassination and plunder. He originally led a group of youths and terrorized small towns (1). In his twenties however, Gan Ning started reading the classical literature from Zhou dynasty intellectuals.

When Gan Ning was living in Nanyang, he sought to serve Liu Biao, but he was not granted an audience (2). Instead he went to serve Huang Zu, but was never granted a position of importance.

When Sun Quan was attacking Huang Zu, Gan Ning killed Sun Quan’s commander Ling Cao with an arrow attack and was able to hold off Sun Quan’s attack. However, the old Huang Zu did not recognize Xingba’s actions and treated him just as badly as before. Seeking the advice of Su Fei, Gan Ning devised a plot to leave Huang Zu and join Sun Quan.

Gan Ning was recommended to Sun Quan’s service by Lü Meng and Zhou Yu, and was treated very well. On Gan Ning’s advice, Sun Quan marched west again to destroy Huang Zu (3).

Xingba then followed Zhou Yu in the attack on Wulin and Nanjun, and scored many important victories. For this, he was promoted to General Who Oppresses the Enemy with Ferocity.

He later helped Lu Su guard Yiyang against the attack from Guan Yu. When Yunchang heard of Xingba’s approach, he turned away from the attacked and would not cross the river to Yiyang. Sun Quan was greatly impressed with Gan Ning and appointed him as Grand Administrator of Xiling and Commander of Yangxin and Xiazhi County.

Xingba followed Sun Quan on the attacks on Wan and He Fei. When Zhang Liao initiated a surprise raid on the retreating Wu forces, Gan Ning never wavered, and together with Ling Tong defended his troops with courage (4).

Gan Ning was broad-minded, valorous and skilled in strategy. He hated wealth and respected men of ability. His sergeants admired him greatly for always being the first to attack ahead of all others, and they devoted their lives to serving him.

When Xingba died, Sun Quan felt a deep regret for his loss and wept bitterly.