Gao Changgong

Gao Changgong (Chinese: 高长恭; pinyin: Gāo Chánggōng), whose formal name was Gao Su (Traditional Chinese:高肅; Simplified Chinese: 高肃; pinyin: Gāo Sù) or Gao Xiaoguan (高孝瓘), was also known as Prince of Lanling (蘭陵王) as his princedom was Lanling County. Gao Changgong was the grandson of Gao Huan (高歡) and the fourth son of Gao Cheng (高澄). Gao Changgong was a high ranking general of the Northern Qi Dynasty. According to "The Book of Northern Qi", Gao Changgong had a beautiful face thus he always wore a terrible mask when he fought in battles.

Biography
Gao Changgong was born the fourth son of Gao Cheng, elder brother of the first emperor of Northern Qi and therefore a prince of Northern Qi. As his land was known as Lanling, he was given the title of Prince of Lanling. Gao Changgong was also made a general by Emperor Gao Dan, his uncle, and his distinction in battles as well as personal kindness and bravery led him becoming widely loved and admired, and legend had it that he was so handsome he wore a mask in battles to avoid distraction.

Gao Changgong's most famous battle was the rescue of the siege of Jinyong (now in Luoyang City) in 564 A.D. Gao Changgong led only 500 cavalrymen and fought through an army of Northern Zhou, which was attacking the city with 100,000 soldiers. He fought his way to the gates the city, surprising the defenders. The soldiers of Jinyong couldn't recognize him, so he took off his helmet and mask. The soldiers in the city rejoiced at his arrival and were refilled with courage. They opened the gates and joined the battle outside the city. Soon the army of Northern Zhou was defeated.

In order to celebrate the victory, the soldiers composed a famous song and dance "Prince Lanling in Battle”（兰陵王入阵曲）. Hundreds years later, the song and the dance were forgotten in China. Fortunately the music and the dance were introduced into Japan and had been preserved there as traditional heritage, being performed in some ceremonies.

After the death of Gao Dan, Gao Wei（高纬), Gao Changgon's cousin, ascended the throne. Gao Changong's reputation, competence and influence over the army upset the young emperor. One day after listening to the song "Prince Lanling in Battle”, Gao Wei said, “it is too dangerous for you to get into the enemy’s battle array. In case you lose, you will have no chance to regret it." Then Gao Changgong answered, “No, I didn’t think about that. I am responsible for our family’s business.”

The emperor felt nervous at hearing these words. He was afraid that Gao Changgong might overthrow him. Many members of the Gao family had met their ends at the hands of brothers and cousins, and he became paranoid that he would have the same fate.

To avoid the emperor's suspicion and jealousy, Gao Changgong often pretended to be sick, staying away from wars and politics. No matter how low a profile he kept, the emperor still sent him a cup of poisonous wine one day in 573 A.D.. Gao Changgong drank the wine and ended his life, probably in his early 30’s.

Four years after Gao Changgong's death, having lost one of its greatest generals, Northern Qi was destroyed by Northern Zhou. All the members of the Gao royal family members were slaughtered ruthlessly.

Popular culture
Gao Changgong is one of the 32 historical figures who appear as special characters in the video game Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI by Koei.