Historical Record
As for Ge Ding, the official histories make no explicit record of him. Neither the Records of the Three Kingdoms nor any other source mentions this name, nor any event or interaction with other figures connected to him. Therefore, from the standpoint of the historical sources, there is no firm basis for Ge Ding's existence in history.
In the Novel
In the literary world of Luo Guanzhong's Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Ge Ding appears as a fictional figure; his character is unrelated to the historical record and is created entirely to serve the plot. He first appears in Chapter 53 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, where he is portrayed as a fellow townsman of Taishi Ci. The story is set during the Battle of Hefei, when Taishi Ci, on Sun Quan's orders, intended to seize Hefei by means of an inside agent. Ge Ding was one of the agents Taishi Ci had planted within the city. He plotted in secret with the groom in charge of the horses inside the city, planning to act in concert from within and without when Taishi Ci attacked. Ge Ding revealed to the groom that he had already sent word to General Taishi Ci, giving advance notice that Taishi Ci would surely come that very night to lend support. The groom then proposed a concrete plan of action: since their position was far from the army camp and it would be hard to enter quickly at night, he suggested setting fire to a haystack as a signal, while Ge Ding cried out within the city that a revolt had broken out, creating chaos and seizing the moment to assassinate the defending general Zhang Liao, whereupon the defending troops in the city would naturally scatter. Ge Ding greatly praised this plan, declaring, "This plan is most excellent!" Although Ge Ding has only two lines of dialogue in the novel, and his scheme ultimately failed because of Zhang Liao's vigilance and Zhou Yu's timely support, his appearance added a dramatic inside-agent subplot to the Battle of Hefei, displaying Taishi Ci's strategy of trying to take Hefei by cunning, and indirectly setting off Zhang Liao's valor and resourcefulness. The figure of Ge Ding, though given little ink, played a key role in advancing the local plot and is a typical minor character in the novel, created to set off the major figures and events.
Key Relationships
* Taishi Ci (fellow townsman / master-servant relationship): Ge Ding was a fellow townsman of Taishi Ci, and was assigned by him to serve as an inside agent within the city of Hefei. He reported the situation inside the city to Taishi Ci and assisted Taishi Ci in plotting the assault, embodying the trust and cooperation between the two. (unique to the novel)
* Zhang Liao (hostile relationship): One of Ge Ding's tasks was to conspire with the groom to create chaos within the city and seize the moment to assassinate Zhang Liao. This places Ge Ding squarely in opposition to Zhang Liao; although his assassination plan ultimately failed, his intent was clear. (unique to the novel)
* The Groom (co-conspirator relationship): Ge Ding secretly deliberated with the groom in charge of the horses within the city of Hefei, jointly plotting the inside-agent operation. The two exchanged information and together devised their plan of action, being the direct executors of this inside-agent scheme. (unique to the novel)
Signature Scene
Ge Ding's signature scene centers on the segment in Chapter 53 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms in which he plots in secret with the groom inside the city of Hefei. In this scene, Ge Ding reveals to the groom that he has already sent word for Taishi Ci to come and lend support, and asks the groom for his plan of action. The groom suggests setting fire to a haystack as a signal, while Ge Ding shouts within the city that a revolt has broken out, creating an uproar and seizing the moment to assassinate Zhang Liao. Ge Ding expresses his high approval of this plan, calling it "most excellent!" Though brief, this scene sketches out Ge Ding's identity as an inside agent, displays his connection with Taishi Ci, and shows his intent to assist the assault through internal sabotage. Although this scheme ultimately ended in failure, it added an atmosphere of tension and a contest of stratagems to the Battle of Hefei in the novel, and is Ge Ding's only and most representative appearance in Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Relationships
2 relationships
Enemies1
Other1
Lines
- 演 ch.53 §26
「我已使人報太史慈將軍去了。今夜必來接應，你如何用事？」
- 演 ch.53 §26
「此計大妙！」
Chapters1 回 ▸
- 演ch.53
Relationship timeline1 条 ▸
演 ch.53
- Zhang Liao§26
enemy_of
与张辽手下养馬後槽密谋纵火刺殺，被擒立斩
Inner monologues · AI-generated1 段 ▸
- I am Ge Ding, a fellow townsman of General Taishi Ci. Now I have come with the army to Hefei, mingling among the ranks.