Contents
Biography & Historical Record
Gao Lan (高览, Cao Lãm) was a prominent military officer serving under the warlord Yuan Shao (袁绍, Viên Thiệu). He was highly regarded for his martial prowess and is historically recognized as one of the ‘Four Pillars’ of the Yuan army, alongside Yan Liang (颜良, Nhan Lương), Wen Chou (文丑, Văn Xú), and Zhang He (张郃, Trương Cáp). During the Battle of Guandu, Gao Lan held a position of significant command. Following the devastating defeat of Yuan Shao’s forces at Guandu and the subsequent internal instability after Yuan Shao’s death, Gao Lan, along with Zhang He (张郃, Trương Cáp), defected to the service of Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo). He served Cao Cao until his death during the campaign to conquer the Yuan clan’s power base in Ye.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Gao Lan was a warrior of great strength, capable of dueling the likes of Xu Chu (许褚, Hứa Chử) for dozens of rounds without a clear victor. His transition from a loyal servant of Yuan Shao to a general of Cao Cao serves as a turning point in the collapse of the Northern warlord’s hegemony.
In the novel, Gao Lan is depicted as a formidable battlefield presence. He is famously involved in the duel against Xu Chu (许褚, Hứa Chử) at the Battle of Guandu. After Yuan Shao refused to listen to his advice regarding the relief of the supply depot at Wuchao, Gao Lan—suspecting that Yuan Shao intended to punish him for the failure—decided to defect. He famously killed Yuan Shao’s son, Yuan Xi (袁熙, Viên Hy), or in some variations, simply revolted, before submitting to Cao Cao. His death is dramatized during the siege of Ye, where he is caught in an ambush set by Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân) and slain while attempting to defend the city.
Gao Lan — Historical & Literary Timeline
Battle of Guandu
Gao Lan faces Xu Chu (许褚, Hứa Chử) in an intense duel, demonstrating his status as one of Yuan Shao’s elite commanders.
Defection to Cao Cao
After Yuan Shao’s death and the resulting chaos within the Yuan clan, Gao Lan and Zhang He (张郃, Trương Cáp) defect to Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo) to secure their survival.
Death at Ye
During the siege of the city of Ye, Gao Lan is lured into a trap and killed by Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân).
For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Gao Lan on Wikipedia.
Key Relationships
Family
- No information
Friends
- Zhang He (张郃, Trương Cáp): A close comrade-in-arms and fellow member of Yuan Shao’s “Four Pillars.” The two served together under Yuan Shao and jointly defected to Cao Cao following the Battle of Guandu.
- Yan Liang (颜良, Nhan Lương): A fellow general under Yuan Shao, recognized alongside Gao Lan as one of the “Four Pillars” of the Yuan army.
- Wen Chou (文丑, Văn Xú): A fellow general under Yuan Shao, recognized alongside Gao Lan as one of the “Four Pillars” of the Yuan army.
Enemies
- Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân): The Shu general who ambushed and killed Gao Lan during the siege of Ye in 204 AD in the novel.
- Xu Chu (许褚, Hứa Chử): Cao Cao’s elite warrior with whom Gao Lan fought a fierce, unresolved duel during the Battle of Guandu in 200 AD.
- Yuan Xi (袁熙, Viên Hy): Yuan Shao’s son, whom Gao Lan revolted against and reportedly killed during his defection to Cao Cao’s forces in the novel.
Other
- Yuan Shao (袁绍, Viên Thiệu): Gao Lan’s original lord. Gao Lan served him as a top commander but defected after the Battle of Guandu due to a lack of trust and fear of being unjustly punished.
- Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo): The rival warlord to whom Gao Lan defected, submitting to his service and assisting in the campaign to dismantle the remaining power base of the Yuan clan.
In Novel
Chapter 22
- Gao Lan (高览, Cao Lãm): Prominent general under Yuan Shao (袁绍, Viên Thiệu) who commanded assault vanguard divisions in the northern offensive toward Xuchang.
Chapter 30
- Gao Lan (高览, Cao Lãm): Stationed at Guandu alongside Zhang He (张郃, Trương Cáp); after Guo Tu’s (郭图, Quách Đồ) slander falsely blamed them for the fall of Wuchao, Gao Lan and Zhang He burned their camps and defected to Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo).
Chapter 31
In History
Year: 200 AD
- Gao Lan (高览, Cao Lãm) was a general serving Yuan Shao (袁绍, Viên Thiệu) at the Battle of Guandu. When Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo) attacked the supply depot at Wuchao, Yuan Shao ordered Gao Lan and Zhang He (张郃, Trương Cáp) to attack Cao Cao’s main camp instead of concentrating their forces on rescuing Wuchao. The attack failed, and after Wuchao was destroyed, Gao Lan and Zhang He surrendered to Cao Cao. The historical record contains little further information about Gao Lan.
Historical Status
- Gao Lan (高览, Cao Lãm) was a real historical figure, but his later career is poorly documented. The detailed story in which he is later killed by Zhao Yun (赵云, Triệu Vân) belongs to Romance of the Three Kingdoms and should not be treated as established history.
Gallery
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Gao Lan (onyomi: Kō Ran) is an officer under Yuan Shao. Together with Zhang He, he defected to Cao Cao at the Battle of Guandu.
Historical Information
Gao Lan came from one of the northern provinces in Hebei. He joined Yuan Shao around the year 190 and gained merit by fighting numerous battles against Gongsun Zan and others. In the year 200, Yuan Shao marched south to defeat Cao Cao and attacked him at Guandu. After Yuan Shao’s initial attacks were unsuccessful and his commanders slain, Cao Cao personally led a small force to raid Yuan Shao’s supply depot at Wuchao. Yuan Shao’s general Zhang He urged him to dispatch him and Gao Lan to rescue Chunyu Qiong, but Yuan Shao followed the advice of Guo Tu instead and attacked Cao Cao’s main camp, despite Zhang He’s concern about Cao Cao having surely left a defense force there. As Zhang He predicted, Cao Cao had left a defense force under the command of Cao Hong and they were unable to break through. When they heard that Wuchao fell and Guo Tu spread rumors about them, both Zhang He and Gao Lan decided to surrender to Cao Cao. Cao Cao accepted their surrender and made them both generals.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In the novel, Gao Lan’s actions at Guandu remain largely the same. Additionally to attacking Cao Cao’s main camp, he dueled Xu Chu and Zhang Liao together with Zhang He. Later, after their failed attack on Guandu, Gao Lan expressed his wish to surrender to Cao Cao and Zhang He agreed. Gao Lan was made adjutant general and Lord of Donglai.
One year later, in 201, Gao Lan participated in the battle of Cangting and ambushed his former master. Together with Xiahou Yuan, they killed a portion of Yuan Shao’s men and even managed to almost kill him. Shortly afterwards, Cao Cao was informed of an attack by Liu Bei in Xuchang, so he left his campaign against Yuan Shao and moved south. They defeated Liu Bei and forced him to flee. Gao Lan pursued Liu Bei and slew his general Liu Pi. Just before ordering his men to charge at Liu Bei, his rear was attacked by Zhao Yun, who charged through the ranks and impaled Gao Lan.
Cao Lãm (tiếng Trung: 高覽; bính âm: Gao Lan; ? – ?) hay Cao Hoán (tiếng Trung: 高奂), không rõ tên tự, là một tướng lĩnh dưới trướng quân phiệt Viên Thiệu cuối thời Đông Hán trong lịch sử Trung Quốc.
Tiểu sử
Không rõ quê quán, xuất thân của Cao Lãm, chỉ biết Lãm là bộ tướng của Viên Thiệu, không rõ chức vụ.
Năm 200, trong trận Quan Độ, khi kho lương Ô Sào bị tấn công, mưu sĩ Quách Đồ kiến nghị với Viên Thiệu cho quân đánh lén trại Tào Tháo. Viên Thiệu nghe theo, phái Cao Cán cùng Trương Cáp dẫn kỵ binh nhẹ tấn công nhưng thua trận.[1]
Khi hai tướng dẫn quân về, Quách Đồ lại đổ trách nhiệm cho Cao Lãm, Trương Cáp không tận lực, buộc hai người dẫn quân đầu hàng Tào Tháo.[2] Hậu Hán thư chỉ ghi lại hai người thua trận nên đầu hàng, không nhắc tới chuyện bị hại như trong Tam quốc chí.[3] Về sau không còn ghi chép.
Trong văn hóa
Trong tiểu thuyết Tam Quốc Diễn Nghĩa của La Quán Trung, Cao Lãm xuất hiện ở hồi 31, là mãnh tướng dưới trướng Viên Thiệu, theo Thiệu ra quân Quan Độ, chiến đấu dũng cảm, từng đánh ngang tay với Hứa Chử, Từ Hoảng.[4]
Khi tướng của Viên Thiệu là Hàn Mãnh đem xe lương đến trại Viên Thiệu thì bị tướng Tào là Từ Hoảng, Sử Hoán đem quân ra chẹn đường. Từ Hoảng thúc quân vào đốt sạch cả mấy nghìn cỗ xe. Viên Thiệu sai Trương Cáp, Cao Lãm đi cứu nhưng bị quân Tào đánh bại. Sau khi kho lương Ô Sào mất, hai người sợ tội nên hàng quân Tào. Tào Tháo phong cho Cao Lãm làm Thiên tướng quân tước Đông Lai hầu.[4]
Khi Lưu Bị khởi binh ở Nhữ Nam, Cao Lãm theo Hạ Hầu Uyên trấn áp. Cao Lãm chiếm được thành, truy sát Lưu Bị. Lưu Tích liều mình cứu giúp, bị Cao Lãm đâm chết. Khi Cao Lãm sắp đuổi kịp Lưu Bị thì Triệu Vân xuất hiện, đâm chết Cao Lãm.[4]
Trong truyền kỳ dân gian, Cao Lãm cùng Nhan Lương, Văn Xú, Trương Cáp được gọi là bốn cột trụ của Hà Bắc (Hà Bắc tứ đình trụ).