Gu Li (general)
Encyclopedia
Gu Li was a military general serving under the warlord Sun Quan
during the late Han Dynasty
period of Chinese history
. He was involved in the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford
in 217 against Cao Cao
's forces.
In 215, when Sun Quan learnt that Cao Cao
was attacking Zhang Lu in Hanzhong
, he led his army to attack Cao's castle at Hefei, initiating the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford
. Gu Li followed Sun Quan into battle. They faced strong resistance from Zhang Liao
, Cao Cao's defending general at Hefei. Sun Quan's forces were unable to conquer Hefei even though they were superior in numbers, and decided to retreat after surrounding the castle for several days. Zhang Liao used the opportunity to launch a counterattack, taking Sun Quan's retreating army by surprise at Xiaoyao Ford. Sun Quan's men remained behind to fight Zhang Liao's soldiers while Sun himself attempted to flee by crossing the river on horseback, but he saw that the bridge had been destroyed.
Gu Li shouted at Sun Quan, telling him to sit tight, grab the reins firmly, and maintain control of the horse. Gu Li then went behind the horse and gave it a few whips to drive it forward. The horse then leapt across the broken bridge successfully and Sun Quan escaped from danger. Sun Quan later granted Gu Li the title of a marquis for saving his life.
In 226, Sun Quan had a large vessel built and named it "Chang'an". He intended to sail to Fishing Platform Boundary (釣台圻) but encountered a storm along the way. Sun Quan then planned to travel to Luozhou, but Gu Li strongly objected, pointing his sword at the oarsmen, ordering them to sail to Fankou instead. When Sun Quan later asked Gu Li why he was so afraid earlier, Gu replied that he was worried that Sun Quan might meet with an accident in the storm, which will lead to instability in the state. After this incident, Sun Quan respected Gu Li even more and no longer referred to him by personal name, but instead by surname.
Sun Quan
Sun Quan , son of Sun Jian, formally Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He ruled from 222 to 229 as King of Wu and from 229 to 252 as Emperor of Wu....
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 was involved in the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford
Battle of Xiaoyao Ford
The Battle of Xiaoyao Ford, also known as the Battle of Leisure Ford, Battle of Hefei, and Hefei Campaign, was fought between the warlords Cao Cao and Sun Quan between 215 and 217 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history over the control of Hefei...
in 217 against 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 forces.
Biography
Initially an attendant under Sun Quan, Gu Li was promoted to Personal Attendant (親近監) by Sun for his attentive and forthright personality. As Gu Li was loyal, daring, and direct in speech, he was even more trusted and regarded as a close aide by Sun Quan.In 215, when Sun Quan learnt that 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...
was attacking Zhang Lu in Hanzhong
Hanzhong
Hanzhong is a municipality in southwest Shaanxi Province, China, occupying a historically significant valley in the mountains between the Xi'an area, home to many Chinese capitals, and the fertile but isolated Sichuan Basin...
, he led his army to attack Cao's castle at Hefei, initiating the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford
Battle of Xiaoyao Ford
The Battle of Xiaoyao Ford, also known as the Battle of Leisure Ford, Battle of Hefei, and Hefei Campaign, was fought between the warlords Cao Cao and Sun Quan between 215 and 217 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history over the control of Hefei...
. Gu Li followed Sun Quan into battle. They faced strong resistance from 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...
, Cao Cao's defending general at Hefei. Sun Quan's forces were unable to conquer Hefei even though they were superior in numbers, and decided to retreat after surrounding the castle for several days. Zhang Liao used the opportunity to launch a counterattack, taking Sun Quan's retreating army by surprise at Xiaoyao Ford. Sun Quan's men remained behind to fight Zhang Liao's soldiers while Sun himself attempted to flee by crossing the river on horseback, but he saw that the bridge had been destroyed.
Gu Li shouted at Sun Quan, telling him to sit tight, grab the reins firmly, and maintain control of the horse. Gu Li then went behind the horse and gave it a few whips to drive it forward. The horse then leapt across the broken bridge successfully and Sun Quan escaped from danger. Sun Quan later granted Gu Li the title of a marquis for saving his life.
In 226, Sun Quan had a large vessel built and named it "Chang'an". He intended to sail to Fishing Platform Boundary (釣台圻) but encountered a storm along the way. Sun Quan then planned to travel to Luozhou, but Gu Li strongly objected, pointing his sword at the oarsmen, ordering them to sail to Fankou instead. When Sun Quan later asked Gu Li why he was so afraid earlier, Gu replied that he was worried that Sun Quan might meet with an accident in the storm, which will lead to instability in the state. After this incident, Sun Quan respected Gu Li even more and no longer referred to him by personal name, but instead by surname.