Yan Gang

Yan Gang (onyomi Gen Kō) is an officer of Gongsun Zan. He fought against Qu Yi at Jieqiao, but lost the duel and was killed.

Roles in Games
Yan Gang first appears in Dynasty Warriors 4: Xtreme Legends, where he is the first officer to appear at the Battle of Jieqiao. He charges in from the south, threatening Zhang He. In Dynasty Warriors 5: Xtreme Legends Yan Gang appears at the battle of Changshan, defending the southern gate to where Gongsun Zan has set up his base. Gang returns to Jieqiao, this time leading the cavalry charge being prepared to crush Yuan Shao's forces. IF the vanguard officers are defeated in time, Yuan Shao's forces can prepare their archer units, then the cavalry will be demoralized and unable to sweep through the Yuan's forces.

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he was one of Gongsun Zan's most prominent generals. Similar to many of Gongsun Zan's other generals, War and Leadership are his best traits which in his case are in the high 60s to low 70s. His other traits however are at best average ranging from the low 40s to low 50s making him a bad choice for any other tasks.

In Sangokushi Eiketsuden, he and Gongsun Zan parted ways for fight against Yuan Shao. Gongsun Zan going to Jieqiao for fight against Yuan Shao's army, as he going to Qinghe for fight against Qu Yi's army. When the player complete the level at Xindou Castle or Guangchuan Route, will be able to choose whether to go to Julu or Qinghe. If choose going to Julu, will meet Gongsun Yue and Yu Ze fight against Shen Pei. Geng Wu and Min Chun will be reinforcement and the both will join player team. If choose going to Qinghe, will meet Yan Gang was killed by Qu Yi in the duel, the way to win is to eliminate Qu Yi.

Historical Information
Yan Gang served Gongsun Zan and was appointed governor of Ji Province in 191. Gongsun Zan sought to press his early advantage against Yuan Shao and appointed Yan Gang as head of his cavalry force. Yuan Shao had sent Qu Yi to face this vanguard force, and Qu Yi led a mostly archer force, which Yan Gang tried to counter by rushing his cavalry forward. This played right into Qu Yi's hands, smashing the horsemen before they could reach the archer lines. Yan Gang himself was captured and executed, stimming the tide of Gongsun Zan's advance.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Within the novel, Yan Gang only appears in chapter 7, where he is made the vanguard of his army, purposely refusing this task for Zhao Yun, as he did not fully trust the new officer. Gang's fate plays out fairly similar to history, except we are specifically told that Qu Yi rode out to cut down Yan Gang after the archer volley ambush was a success.