Gong Zhi

Historical Record

Concerning Gong Zhi, there is at present no explicit mention in the Records of the Three Kingdoms or other official histories. The life and deeds of this figure therefore have no firm basis in historical verification.

In the Novel

In Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Gong Zhi appears as a subordinate officer of Jin Xuan, portrayed as a wise man of deep principle who saw the situation clearly. He first appears in Chapter 53, when Zhang Fei of Liu Bei's faction led troops to attack Wuling. Faced with Zhang Fei's army at the city walls, the Wuling Grand Administrator Jin Xuan wished to ride out to give battle. At this point Gong Zhi stepped forward and counseled Jin Xuan, pointing out that Liu Bei was "the imperial uncle of the great Han, whose benevolence and righteousness spread throughout the realm," and that Zhang Fei was "exceptionally brave and fierce," urging Jin Xuan that "it would be best to offer surrender." But Jin Xuan found this loyal advice grating; not only did he refuse to listen, he flew into a rage, accusing Gong Zhi of "wishing to collude with the rebels and stage an inside revolt," and ordered him taken out and beheaded. Only thanks to the pleas of the assembled officers was Gong Zhi spared his life, though Jin Xuan drove him off with a shout.

Disregarding Gong Zhi's remonstrance, Jin Xuan insisted on leading troops out to engage Zhang Fei. As a result, overawed by Zhang Fei's might, Jin Xuan dared not cross blades and turned his horse to flee. When Jin Xuan fled back toward the city, he found arrows raining down from the walls. Looking up in shock, he saw Gong Zhi standing atop the wall, loudly rebuking him: "You defied the will of Heaven and brought ruin upon yourself; I and the people have surrendered to Liu of our own accord." Before the words were finished, Jin Xuan was struck in the face by an arrow and fell dead from his horse. Gong Zhi then went out of the city to offer his surrender to Zhang Fei. Zhang Fei ordered Gong Zhi to take Jin Xuan's seals and insignia and go to Guiyang to see Liu Bei. Liu Bei was "greatly pleased" by Gong Zhi's action and appointed him to succeed to Jin Xuan's post. Thereafter Gong Zhi held office within Liu Bei's faction, becoming one of his subordinates. In the novel, Gong Zhi is a model of the maxim that the one who knows the times is the true hero: by assessing the situation, he not only preserved himself but also brought about the submission of Wuling Commandery, rendering meritorious service to the expansion of Liu Bei's faction.

Key Relationships

* Liu Bei: Gong Zhi ultimately submitted to and served Liu Bei, winning his recognition and trust; he was appointed Grand Administrator of Wuling, succeeding Jin Xuan. (novel only)
* Liu Bei's faction: By surrendering to Zhang Fei, Gong Zhi brought Wuling Commandery under Liu Bei's faction, making it part of its territory. (novel only)
* Jin Xuan: Gong Zhi was originally a subordinate of Jin Xuan, but because Jin Xuan would not heed his remonstrance, Gong Zhi ultimately chose to forsake him, bringing about Jin Xuan's downfall and the submission of Wuling. (novel only)
* Zhang Fei: When Zhang Fei's army reached the city walls, Gong Zhi first urged Jin Xuan to surrender, then shot Jin Xuan dead from the wall and surrendered to Zhang Fei—he was the key figure in Zhang Fei's capture of Wuling. (novel only)

Iconic Scene

Gong Zhi's most iconic scene is the moment atop the wall of Wuling when he shot Jin Xuan dead and surrendered to Zhang Fei. When Jin Xuan, refusing loyal counsel, insisted on riding out to engage Zhang Fei and fled back beneath the walls in disastrous defeat, Gong Zhi had already taken control of the city. Standing atop the wall and facing the routed Jin Xuan, he sternly and righteously declared that Jin Xuan had "defied the will of Heaven and brought ruin upon himself," and proclaimed, "I and the people have surrendered to Liu of our own accord." He then, by his own hand or by directing another, struck Jin Xuan in the face with an arrow, sending him toppling dead from his horse. This act not only utterly ended Jin Xuan's rule but also paved the way for Wuling Commandery to submit to Liu Bei's faction. Gong Zhi then went out of the city to surrender to Zhang Fei, who dispatched him to Guiyang to see Liu Bei, and he ultimately won Liu Bei's trust, succeeding Jin Xuan in office. This series of events fully displays Gong Zhi's decisiveness, his keen reading of the situation, and his vivid image in the novel as "one who knows the times." (novel only)

Relationships