Sun Gan

Historical Record

Based on the surviving biographical materials, records concerning Sun Gan (styled Gongyou) are lacking. In the Records of the Three Kingdoms and other standard histories, no clear mention can be found of Sun Gan's life, offices, or specific contributions. It is therefore impossible to describe, on the level of historical fact, the trajectory of his life or his role in historical events.

In the Novel

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Sun Gan, as one of the important advisors of Liu Bei's faction, is given a fairly clear portrayal, especially in offering counsel during Liu Bei's early years of wandering and hardship. He first appears in Chapter 16, when Liu Bei was besieged by Lü Bu at Xiaopei; Sun Gan advised Liu Bei to seek aid from Lü Bu to relieve the immediate crisis.^[1] When Lü Bu refused the request and pressed the attack ever harder, Sun Gan proposed the strategy, "Better to abandon the city and flee to Xu, take refuge with Cao Cao, and borrow troops to crush Bu—this is the best course," prompting Liu Bei to break out of the siege and avoid the danger of total annihilation.^[2]

Sun Gan also played an important role in Liu Bei's maneuvering between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao. In Chapter 22, when Liu Bei needed to seek Yuan Shao's aid to oppose Cao Cao, Sun Gan was charged with "speeding through the night to deliver" Zheng Xuan's letter to Yuan Shao, successfully prompting Yuan Shao to consider raising troops against Cao.^[3] This demonstrates his ability in diplomacy and liaison. In the same chapter, after Liu Bei released Liu Dai and Wang Zhong, Sun Gan advised Liu Bei, "Xu Province is exposed to attack and cannot be held for long; better to divide forces, garrison Xiaopei, and hold the city of Pi to form a horn-and-flank posture against Cao Cao." This strategy was adopted by Liu Bei, with Guan Yu holding Xiapi while Sun Gan, Jian Yong, Mi Zhu, Mi Fang, and others remained to guard Xu Province.^[4]

Furthermore, after the Battle of Red Cliffs, Sun Gan also served as Liu Bei's envoy, going to Eastern Wu to congratulate Zhou Yu. In Chapter 51, he conveyed Liu Bei's thanks to Zhou Yu and informed him that Liu Bei had moved his forces to Youjiangkou.^[5] Though his lines are few, each appearance accompanies a key decision or important liaison task, displaying his identity as a member of Liu Bei's brain trust. The Sun Gan of the novel functions chiefly to offer counsel to Liu Bei and to undertake important diplomatic missions, filling the gap left by the histories' scant record of Liu Bei's advisors in this period.

Key Relationships

* Liu Bei's faction (serves): In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Sun Gan is one of Liu Bei's important advisors, repeatedly offering counsel and undertaking diplomatic liaison, an indispensable figure in Liu Bei's early faction (novel-only). For example, when besieged at Xiaopei, he advised Liu Bei to seek aid from Lü Bu, and later to take refuge with Cao Cao.^[2]
* Yuan Shao (witnesses): Sun Gan was once dispatched by Liu Bei to carry Zheng Xuan's letter to Yuan Shao to seek aid, prompting Yuan Shao to consider raising troops against Cao, and thereby indirectly witnessing the political contest between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao (novel-only).^[3]
* Lü Bu (confronts/negotiates): When Liu Bei was besieged by Lü Bu at Xiaopei, Sun Gan once advised Liu Bei to seek aid from Lü Bu; although Lü Bu ultimately refused the request, Sun Gan's advice reflects his role in crisis management (novel-only).^[1]
* Cao Cao (opposes/utilizes): Sun Gan once advised Liu Bei to take refuge with Cao Cao to borrow strength to crush Lü Bu, and as a member of Liu Bei's faction also took part in planning defensive strategy in the confrontation between Cao Cao and Liu Bei, such as advising the division of forces to garrison Xiaopei and Pi against Cao Cao (novel-only).^[4]
* Zhou Yu (interacts with): After the Battle of Red Cliffs, Sun Gan served as Liu Bei's envoy, going to Eastern Wu to congratulate Zhou Yu and conveying Liu Bei's movements, displaying his representative role on diplomatic occasions (novel-only).^[5]

Signature Scenes

* Counsel at the siege of Xiaopei: When Liu Bei was besieged by Lü Bu at Xiaopei, Sun Gan first advised Liu Bei to write to Lü Bu pleading the crisis, attempting to defuse it. When Lü Bu pressed the attack harder, he proposed abandoning the city and taking refuge with Cao Cao, enabling Liu Bei to break out successfully and preserve his strength. This series of counsels displays his calm judgment and strategic ability in moments of crisis.^[2] (novel-only)
* Carrying the letter to seek Yuan Shao's aid: To oppose Cao Cao, Liu Bei wished to seek Yuan Shao's aid. Sun Gan was charged with "speeding through the night to deliver" Zheng Xuan's letter to Yuan Shao, successfully prompting Yuan Shao to consider sending troops. This not only displayed Sun Gan's diplomatic talent but also won Liu Bei precious strategic room.^[3] (novel-only)
* Defensive deployment in Xu Province: After Liu Bei released Liu Dai and Wang Zhong, Sun Gan advised Liu Bei, "Xu Province is exposed to attack and cannot be held for long; better to divide forces, garrison Xiaopei, and hold the city of Pi to form a horn-and-flank posture against Cao Cao." This strategy was adopted by Liu Bei, with Guan Yu holding Xiapi while Sun Gan and others remained to guard Xu Province, showing his consideration of military deployment and strategic defense.^[4] (novel-only)
* Congratulating Zhou Yu after Red Cliffs: After the Battle of Red Cliffs, Sun Gan served as Liu Bei's envoy, going to Eastern Wu to congratulate Zhou Yu and conveying Liu Bei's latest movements. Brief as this scene is, it highlights Sun Gan's identity as the diplomatic representative of Liu Bei's faction and his role in maintaining the alliance.^[5] (novel-only)