Gongsun Zan
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Gongsun Zan | |||||||||||||||||
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| 公孫瓚 | |||||||||||||||||
 A Qing dynasty illustration of Gongsun Zan | |||||||||||||||||
| Inspector of You Province (幽州刺史) (self-appointed) | |||||||||||||||||
| In office 193 – March 199 | |||||||||||||||||
| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han | ||||||||||||||||
| General of the Vanguard (前將軍) | |||||||||||||||||
| In office 192 – March 199 | |||||||||||||||||
| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han | ||||||||||||||||
| General of Uplifting Martial Might (奮武將軍) | |||||||||||||||||
| In office 189–192 | |||||||||||||||||
| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han | ||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||
| Born | Before 161 Qian'an, Hebei | ||||||||||||||||
| Died | April or May 199 Yi County, Hebei | ||||||||||||||||
| Children | Gongsun Xu (公孫續) | ||||||||||||||||
| Relatives |
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| Occupation | Military general, politician, warlord | ||||||||||||||||
| Courtesy name | Bogui (伯珪) | ||||||||||||||||
| Peerage | Marquis of Yi (易侯) | ||||||||||||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 公孫瓚 | ||||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 公孙瓒 | ||||||||||||||||
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Gongsun Zan () (before 161[a] - April or May 199[b]), courtesy name Bogui, was a Chinese military general, politician, and warlord who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty.
Life
[edit]Gongsun Zan was born in Lingzhi, Liaoxi Commandery (遼西郡), which is present-day Qian'an, Hebei.[1] He served in the secreteriat commandery. His appearance was striking and his voice bearing. Furthermore, he was a talented orator. During any discussions, he would not waste time on trivial matters and concentrate on the important with great memory and pertinence in his arguments.[2]
The local Administrator (太守), whose surname was Hou (侯), was greatly impressed and married his daughter to him. He also sent him to study under the tutelage of Lu Zhi.[3] Where he bonded with Liu Bei, one of his classmates. Since Gongsun Zan was older, Liu Bei treated him like an older brother.[4]
He was appointed as official serving in a commandery. When his Administrator (太守), whose surname was Liu (劉), was summoned by the Minister of Justice (廷尉) for an offense. Gongsun Zan drove his chariot and supported him during the travel. When he was exiled to Rinan Commandery (日南郡) in Jiao Province, Gongsun Zan decided to accompany him and prepared rice and meat as offering to his ancestors on the northen hill.[5]
There, raising his cup, he declared: "I was a son and now a subordinate, going to Rinan. Now, the place is hard to live and I'm uncertain if I may one day return. Therefore, I pay my respect to my ancestors." He was so passionate in his demonstration that none did not cry watching him. As they were going south, Administrator Liu was pardoned.[6]
Gongsun Zan was nominated as a xiaolian (civil service candidate) and appointed as Chief Clerk (長史) in Liaodong. During a patrol with tens of horsemen, he met hundreds of Xianbei riders. While retreating, Gongsun Zan told to his men that if they did not fight back then they would all be killed. With blade attached on both ends of his spear, he led the charge through the barbarians, killing and wounding them by dozens while losing half of his troop, managing to escape.[7] The Xianbei fearful of him did not dare to pursue. He was promoted to Prefect (令) of Zhuo County (涿縣).[8]
During the Guanghe (光和; 178–184 period), Gongsun Zan was appointed as commander of 3 000 soldiers from You Province to quell a rebellion in Liang Province. However, in the northeast Zhang Chun (張純) started his own rebellion after securing the help of the Wuhuan leader Qiuliju. The rebels plundered Ji, killed and stole officals and civilians alike, from Youbeiping Commandery to Liaoxi Commandery, destroying everything in their path.[9]
Gongsun Zan led his army against Zhang Chun defeating him and for his victory was promoted to Commandant of Cavalry (騎都尉). Following this the Wuhuan leader of Tanzhi (談指) surrendered alongside his tribe to Gongsun Zan. For this, he was appointed as General of the Household (中郎將) and received a marquis title.[10]
However, Gongsun Zan made a costly error as he pursued Zhang Chun without waiting for reinforcements. Soon, Qiuliju came to Zhang Chun’s aid and they forced Gongsun Zan to fall back. He fled to the town of Guanzi (管子) in Liaoxi, where Qiuliju besieged him for over 200 days. Eventually, Gongsun Zan took advantage of a snowstorm to drive through a hole in the encirclement to escape. However, he also suffered around 50 to 60% losses of his soldiers. Still, he kept command of the forces in the area and fought with the rebel tribes for five or six years. Qiuliju and other Wuhuan leaders plundered the four provinces of Qing, Xu, You and Ji. Gongsun Zan was unable to prevent them from looting and killing common people.[11]
Liu Yu was known to be virtuous and kind. He served as Inspector of You Province (幽州刺史) and had good relations with the foreigners. Therefore, the Han government believed he could resolve the situation without the need of armed forces. He was appointed with greater authority as Governor of You Province (幽州牧). When he arrived, Liu Yu sent emissaries to the tribes to resolve the situation peacefully if they killed Zhang Chun. When Qiuliju and other Wuhuan leaders learned that Liu Yu was here, they wanted to surrender. However Gongsun Zan was afraid that Liu Yu's achievement would outshine his own therefore he ordered his men to kill their messengers. When the tribes learned about this, they used other roads. Liu Yu decided to withdraw with his soldiers while Gongsun Zan maintained a presence at Youbeiping Commandery of 10 000 soldiers. Zhang Chun abandoned his family and fled to the Xianbei but was killed by his subordinate Wang Zheng, who had his head sent to Liu Yu. Wang Zheng received a marquis title while Liu Yu was promoted to Grand Commandant (太尉) and enfeoffed as the Marquis of Xiangben (襄賁侯).[12][13]
Emperor Xian of Han wanted to escape Dong Zhuo's influence and secretly sent Liu Yu's son, Liu He (劉和) to inform his father of his intention and assist him when he would move back east. However, Yuan Shu captured Liu He and ordered him to ask for soldiers as Yuan Shu pretented he would use them to rescue the emperor. Liu Yu sent several thousand horsemen. Gongsun Zan knew that Yuan Shu was lying and didn't want to send soldiers however Liu Yu refused to listen to him. As Gongsun Zan feared Yuan Shu would hold a grudge. He sent his younger cousin, Gongsun Yue with a thousand horsemen while advising Yuan Shu that he should keep Liu He and Liu Yu's soldiers. From then on, Liu Yu and Gongsun Zan were no longer on good terms. Liu He later escaped but was again imprisoned by Yuan Shao.[14]
Gongsun Yue died at the Battle of Yangcheng and Gongsun Zan blamed Yuan Shao for his cousin's death. He raised troops and prepared for a campaign. Yuan Shao was afraid and offered his position as Administrator of Bohai to Gongsun Fan, a cousin of Gongsun Zan. However, Gongsun Fan led the troops of Bohai to join Gongsun Zan. They defeated Yellow Turban rebels present in Qing and Xu provinces. Their armies were impressive and moved toward Jie Bridge.[15]
Gongsun Zan appointed Yan Gang as Inspector of Ji Province, Tian Kai as Inspector of Qing Province, Shan Jing as Inspector of Yan Province alongside his own officials to the commanderies and counties. While Yuan Shao led his army to face him. Qu Yi defeated Gongsun Zan and captured Yan Gang. Gongsun Zan then fled to Bohai and later alongside Gongsun Fan returned to Ji, where the relation with Liu Yu deteriorated.[16]
As Liu Yu thought Gongsun Zan would rebel, he raised an army to attck him. However, Liu Yu was defeated and fled to Juyong. Gongsun Zan conquered Juyong and captured Liu Yu, taking him back to Ji. Around this time, Duan Xun (段訓) was sent to grant additional honours to Liu Yu. Also, promote Gongsun Zan to General of the Vanguard (前將軍) and enfeoffed as the Marquis of Yi (易侯). Gongsun Zan forced Duan Xun to justify the execution of Liu Yu under the pretense that Liu Yu wanted to proclaim himself Emperor. From then on, Gongsun Zan became arrogant and conceited with others.[17][18]
Liu Yu's subordinates joined with Wuhuan leader, Yan Rou to fight against Gongsun Zan. Their forces combined several tens of thousands, both foreign tribes and Han soldiers. Then they greatly defeated Gongsun Zan's forces led by his Administrator of Yuyang, Zou Dan (鄒丹), killing him. Yuan Shao also cooperated his troops led by Qu Yi and Liu He with Liu Yu's subordinates to attack Gongsun Zan. Gongsun Zan's army was often defeated therefore he retreated to Yijing where he prepared strong defences.[19]
Gongsun Zan built ten moats and between all of them, he constructed fortress with a tower at the center to connect them to each other. In the middle, surrounded by the other fortifications. He built his own castle, where he provisioned it with his grain supplies. Gongsun Zan told his subordinates that as they no longer have the strengh to resolve problems by military forces, it was better for them to rest and administer the agriculture. As they have multiple fortifications protecting them, they could defend themselves until the situation was better. Yuan Shan had his generals attack Gongsun Zan for years but they could not defeat him.[20][21]
In 199, Yuan Shao besieged Yijing. Therefore, Gongsun Zan sent his son, Gongsun Xu requesting help from Zhang Yan. He also wanted to lead his cavalry out of the siege and joined with them to attack Ji Province however his advisor, Guan Jing told him that if he were to leave, the fortress would be surely be lost without his leadership to hold the defenders together. With his base lost, Gongsun Zan would have nowhere to go and would be defeated. Guan Jing further believed that Yuan Shao would retreat and from there, all the armies could pursue him.[22]
Afterwards, Gongsun Zan sent a messenger to his son. Telling him to set fire as signal for their arrival. However, one of Yuan Shao's soldiers captured the messenger. Yuan Shao forces then used the signal to trick Gongsun Zan. When Gongsun Zan led his soldiers out, he was ambushed and greatly defeated but still managed to retreat back to his castle. Yuan Shao's soldiers however digged tunnels and overcame the towers until they reached Gongsun Zan's own central fortress. Knowing that he was defeated, Gongsun Zan committed suicide through self-immolation, after killing his sisters, wives and children.[23][24][25][26]
Family
[edit]- Gongsun Yue (公孫越), Gongsun Zan's younger second cousin. Gongsun Zan sent him with 1,000 troops and supplies to assist the warlord Yuan Shu, who was in a proxy war with his half-brother Yuan Shao. Gongsun Yue died after being hit by a stray arrow during the Battle of Yangcheng in 191 while fighting alongside Sun Jian (Yuan Shu's proxy) against Zhou Yu (Renming) (Yuan Shao's proxy). Gongsun Zan used Gongsun Yue's death as an excuse to declare war on Yuan Shao.
- In the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Gongsun Yue is Gongsun Zan's younger brother. Gongsun Zan sends Gongsun Yue as a messenger to demand that Yuan Shao keep his promise by dividing Ji Province between him and Gongsun Zan after seizing it from Han Fu, but Yuan Shao refuses. While Gongsun Yue is on his return journey, Yuan Shao orders his men to pretend to be Dong Zhuo's soldiers and then ambush and kill Gongsun Yue. Gongsun Zan sees through Yuan Shao's ruse and subsequently declares war on him.
- Gongsun Fan (公孫範), Gongsun Zan's younger second cousin. He leads troops from Bohai Commandery (勃海郡) to join Gongsun Zan. He also fought in the Battle of Jieqiao alongside Gongsun Zan against Yuan Shao.
- Gongsun Xu (公孫續), Gongsun Zan's son. During the Battle of Yijing (198–199), Gongsun Zan sent him to seek reinforcements from the Heishan bandits led by Zhang Yan. They returned too late as Gongsun Zan had already been defeated by Yuan Shao and had committed suicide along with the rest of his family. Gongsun Xu later met his end at the hands of the Chuge (屠各), a Xiongnu tribe.
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms
[edit]
Gongsun Zan is a character in the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which romanticises the events before and during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He leads an elite cavalry unit called the "White Riders" and has served on the northern and eastern frontiers of the Han Empire by defending the borders from incursions by various non-Han Chinese tribes. In 191, Gongsun Zan joins the coalition against Dong Zhuo, the warlord who seized power in Luoyang and holds the figurehead Emperor Xian hostage. After the coalition breaks up, he gets into a rivalry with Yuan Shao over the territories in northern China and engages him in a series of battles throughout the 190s, starting with the Battle of Jieqiao and ending with his defeat and death at the Battle of Yijing.
In the novel, Gongsun Zan is nicknamed "White Horse General" because the elite cavalry unit he leads is made up completely of horses of pure white. The reason for doing so is that he knows that the non-Han Chinese tribes consider white horses sacred animals so they will run away when they encounter an enemy unit riding white horses in battle.
In Records of the Three Kingdoms
[edit]Gongsun Zan's white horse volunteers (白馬義從) have a historical basis, and appear in the historical records as an elite mounted unit on white horses which formed the core of his fighting force. The Records of Three Kingdoms describes how their "flags and armour lit up Heaven and Earth" at the Battle of Jieqiao.
In popular culture
[edit]Gongsun Zan is one of the main playable characters of the video game Total War: Three Kingdoms, developed by Creative Assembly and published by Sega.[27]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ According to Liu Bei's biography in Records of the Three Kingdoms, Gongsun Zan was older than Liu Bei, and Liu Bei treated Gongsun Zan like an elder brother. Since Liu Bei was born in 161, Gongsun Zan's birth year must be earlier. (瓒年长，先主以兄事之。) Records of the Three Kingdoms, vol. 32
- ^ According to Liu Xie's biography in the Book of the Later Han, Yuan Shao occupied Yijing (with Gongsun Zan dying in the siege) in the 3rd month of Jian'an 4. This corresponds to 14 Apr to 12 May 199 on the Julian calendar. ([建安]四年春三月，袁绍攻公孙瓒于易京，获之。) Houhanshu, vol.09
References
[edit]Citations
[edit]- ^ (公孫瓚字伯珪，遼西令支人也。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (《典略》曰：瓚性辯慧，每白事不肯梢入，常總說數曹事，無有忘誤，太守奇其才。) Dianlue annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (為郡門下書佐。有姿儀，大音聲，侯太守器之，以女妻焉，遣詣涿郡盧植讀經。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (而瓚深與先主相友。瓚年長，先主以兄事之。) Sanguozhi vol. 32.
- ^ (後復為郡吏。劉太守坐事徵詣廷尉，瓚為御車，身執徒養。及劉徙日南，瓚具米肉，於北芒上祭先人，) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (舉觴祝曰：「昔為人子，今為人臣，當詣日南。日南瘴氣，或恐不還，與先人辭於此。」再拜慷慨而起，時見者莫不歔欷。劉道得赦還。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (瓚以孝廉為郎，除遼東屬國長史。嘗從數十騎出行塞，見鮮卑數百騎，瓚乃退入空亭中，約其從騎曰：「今不沖之，則死盡矣。」瓚乃自持矛，兩頭施刃，馳出刺胡，殺傷數十人，亦亡其從騎半，遂得免。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (鮮卑懲艾，後不敢復入塞。遷為涿令。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (光和中，涼州賊起，發幽州突騎三千人，假瓚都督行事傳，使將之。軍到薊中，漁陽張純誘遼西烏丸丘力居等叛，劫略薊中，自號將軍，略吏民攻右北平、遼西屬國諸城，所至殘破。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (瓚將所領，追討純等有功，遷騎都尉。屬國烏丸貪至王率種人詣瓚降。遷中郎將，封都亭侯，) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (進屯屬國，與胡相攻擊五六年。丘力居等鈔略青、徐、幽、冀，四州被其害，瓚不能禦。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (朝議以宗正東海劉伯安既有德義，昔為幽州刺史，恩信流著，戎狄附之，若使鎮撫，可不勞眾而定，乃以劉虞為幽州牧。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (虞到，遣使至胡中，告以利害，責使送純首。丘力居等聞虞至，喜，各遣譯自歸。瓚害虞有功，乃陰使人徼殺胡使。胡知其情，間行詣虞。虞上罷諸屯兵，但留瓚將步騎萬人屯右北平。純乃棄妻子，逃入鮮卑，為其客王政所殺，送首詣虞。封政為列侯。虞以功即拜太尉，封襄賁侯。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (虞子和為侍中，在長安。天子思東歸，使和偽逃卓，潛出武關詣虞，令將兵來迎。和道經袁術，為說天子意。術利虞為援，留和不遣，許兵至俱西，令和為書與虞。虞得和書，乃遣數千騎詣和。瓚知術有異志，不欲遣兵，止虞，虞不可。瓚懼術聞而怨之，亦遣其從弟越將千騎詣術以自結，而陰教術執和，奪其兵。由是虞、瓚益有隙。和逃術來北，復為紹所留。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (是時，術遣孫堅屯陽城拒卓，紹使周昂奪其處。術遣越與堅攻昂，不勝，越為流矢所中死。瓚怒曰：「余弟死，禍起於紹。」遂出軍屯磐河，將以報紹。紹懼，以所佩勃海太守印綬授瓚從弟範，遣之郡，欲以結援。範遂以勃海兵助瓚，破青、徐黃巾，兵益盛；進軍界橋。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (以嚴綱為冀州，田楷為青州，單經為兗州，置諸郡縣。紹軍廣川，令將麴義先登與瓚戰，生禽綱。瓚軍敗走勃海，與範俱還薊，於大城東南築小城，與虞相近，稍相恨望。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (虞懼瓚為變，遂舉兵襲瓚。虞為瓚所敗，出奔居庸。瓚攻拔居庸，生獲虞，執虞還薊。會卓死，天子遣使者段訓增虞邑，督六州；瓚遷前將軍，封易侯。瓚誣虞欲稱尊號，脅訓斬虞。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (瓚上訓為幽州刺史。瓚遂驕矜，記過忘善，多所賊害。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (虞從事漁陽鮮于輔、齊周、騎都尉鮮于銀等，率州兵欲報瓚，以燕國閻柔素有恩信，共推柔為烏丸司馬。柔招誘烏丸、鮮卑，得胡、漢數万人，與瓚所置漁陽太守鄒丹戰於潞北，大破之，斬丹。袁紹又遣麴義及虞子和，將兵與輔合擊瓚。瓚軍數敗，乃走還易京固守。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (為圍塹十重，於塹裡築京，皆高五六丈，為樓其上；中塹為京，特高十丈，自居焉，積穀三百萬斛。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (瓚曰：「昔謂天下事可指麾而定，今日視之，非我所決，不如休兵，力田畜谷。兵法，百樓不攻。今吾樓櫓千重，食盡此谷，足知天下之事矣。」欲以此弊紹。紹遣將攻之，連年不能拔。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (建安四年，紹悉軍圍之。瓚遣子求救於黑山賊，复欲自將突騎直出，傍西南山，擁黑山之眾，陸梁冀州，橫斷紹後。長史關靖說瓚曰：「今將軍將士，皆已土崩瓦解，其所以能相守持者，顧戀其居處老小，以將軍為主耳。將軍堅守曠日，袁紹要當自退；自退之後，四方之眾必復可合也。若將軍今舍之而去，軍無鎮重，易京之危，可立待也。將軍失本，孤在草野，何所成邪！」瓚遂止不出。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (救至，欲內外擊紹。遣人與子書，刻期兵至，舉火為應。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (紹侯者得其書，如期舉火。瓚以為救兵至，遂出欲戰。紹設伏擊，大破之，復還守。紹為地道，突壞其樓，稍至中京。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (瓚自知必敗，盡殺其妻子，乃自殺。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
- ^ (紹設伏，瓚遂大敗，復還保中小城。自計必無全，乃悉縊其姊妹妻子，然後引火自焚。) Houhanshu vol. 73.
- ^ "Total War Three Kingdoms: Who are the warlords?". IGN Nordic. June 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
Bibliography
[edit]- Chen, Shou (3rd century). Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi).
- de Crespigny, Rafe (1996). To Establish Peace: being the Chronicle of the Later Han dynasty for the years 189 to 220 AD as recorded in Chapters 59 to 69 of the Zizhi tongjian of Sima Guang. Vol. 1. Canberra: Faculty of Asian Studies, The Australian National University. ISBN 0-7315-2526-4.
- Fan, Ye (5th century). Book of the Later Han (Houhanshu).
- Luo, Guanzhong (14th century). Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguo Yanyi).
- Pei, Songzhi (5th century). Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi zhu).