Empress Gan

Historical Record

Empress Gan was a native of Pei. She was first taken as a concubine by the Former Sovereign, Liu Bei, during the time Liu Bei was stationed at Xiaopei ^c:2854. After Liu Bei repeatedly lost his principal wives, Empress Gan came to manage the household, taking charge of overseeing the inner quarters ^c:2854. She accompanied Liu Bei in his wanderings to Jing Province, and there gave birth to the Later Sovereign, Liu Shan ^c:2854.

In 208, Cao Cao's great army came south and pursued Liu Bei at Changban in Dangyang. With the situation critical, Liu Bei, fleeing in panic, was forced to abandon Empress Gan and the infant Later Sovereign Liu Shan. It was thanks to Zhao Yun's strenuous protection that Empress Gan and the Later Sovereign managed to escape unharmed ^c:2854.

Empress Gan finally died and was at first buried in Nan Commandery ^c:2854. In the second year of Zhangwu (222), Liu Bei posthumously titled her "Lady of Imperial Remembrance" and planned to move her coffin for reburial in Shu. However, before the coffin reached Shu, the Former Sovereign Liu Bei had already passed away ^c:2854. The Chancellor Zhuge Liang thereupon submitted a memorial requesting that Empress Gan be posthumously honored, so as to make manifest her standing ^c:2854.

In the Novel

Because the materials provided do not include the content of novels such as *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, it is not possible to describe in detail the literary portrayal of Empress Gan in the novel. In the absence of such material, we cannot point out where the novel's depiction of Empress Gan diverges from the histories, or whether the novel contains any episodes unique to it and unrecorded in the histories. This section therefore cannot provide specific content.

Key Relationships

* Liu Bei (spouse_of): Empress Gan was a concubine of the Former Sovereign Liu Bei, and after Liu Bei repeatedly lost his wives, she acted in the role of principal wife, managing the household ^c:2854. She shared Liu Bei's years of wandering and displacement, including their time together in Jing Province and the peril of the Battle of Changban ^c:2854. After Empress Gan's death, Liu Bei posthumously titled her "Lady of Imperial Remembrance" and planned to rebury her—ample proof of her standing in Liu Bei's heart.
* Liu Shan (parent_of): Empress Gan was the birth mother of the Later Sovereign Liu Shan ^c:2854. In the Battle of Changban, she and her young son Liu Shan were abandoned together by Liu Bei, and only escaped danger through Zhao Yun's life-risking protection ^c:2854. This shared experience of mother and son is one of the best-known events of Empress Gan's life.

Iconic Scenes

* Managing the household: After Liu Bei repeatedly lost his principal wives, Empress Gan came to take charge of the inner affairs and assume responsibility for overseeing the inner quarters. This shows that she held a certain standing and influence within Liu Bei's faction, and was no ordinary concubine ^c:2854.
* The peril at Changban: In 208, Cao Cao's great army pursued Liu Bei to Changban in Dangyang. In an extremely critical situation, Liu Bei was forced to abandon Empress Gan and the young Liu Shan. Yet through Zhao Yun's valiant protection, Empress Gan and Liu Shan finally escaped danger ^c:2854. This scene displays both Empress Gan's vulnerability and helplessness and Zhao Yun's loyalty and valor, and is the most dramatic account of Empress Gan in the Records of the Three Kingdoms.
* Posthumous honor and reburial: In the second year of Zhangwu (222), Liu Bei posthumously titled Empress Gan "Lady of Imperial Remembrance" and planned to move her coffin for reburial in Shu ^c:2854. Although Liu Bei died before the reburial was completed, this act still reflects his remembrance and recognition of Empress Gan, and indirectly mirrors her important standing in his heart.