Gao Xiang

Gao Xiang (onyomi: Kō Shō) is a lower ranked general of Shu and participated in a number of Zhuge Liang's northern campaigns.

Role in Games
Gao Xiang frequently appears in Dynasty Warriors during Zhuge Liang's northern campaigns, some games have him serve already in battles such as Mt. Dingjun. At the Battle of Wuzhang Plains, Gao Xiang usually defends the wooden oxen that are used to supply the Shu army.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms gives Gao Xiang mediocore abilities, with his battle skills in the high 60's and the other skills in the 40's and 50's. He is usually seen serving Shu in their later years. His skill in the eleventh game increases the speed of transport units.

Historical Information
In 219, he participated in Liu Bei's campaign to conquer Hanzhong and was made warden of Yangping Pass. The pass was attacked by Cao Zhen and Xu Huang and overthrown. He became "General of the Right" and in 228, he took part of Zhuge Liang's campaign and was part of the rear guard for Ma Su. He supported Wang Ping until he withdrew due to an attack and subsequent defeat from Guo Huai. In 231, Gao Xiang was appointed "Front Commander" and attacked Sima Yi together with Wei Yan and Wu Ban. They defeated Sima Yi and killed 3,000 men, also capturing 5,000 suits of armour and 3,100 crossbows. After Li Yan failed in his mission to transport supplies, Gao Xiang and Zhuge Liang proposed that Li Yan should be relieved of his duties.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Gao Xiang serves Shu as a minor general at first in the novel. He eventually rises to become a commander during the reign of Liu Shan. In 228, Zhuge Liang starts his northern expedition and Gao Xiang joins it. He first successfully conquers Nan'an and then waits in the hills near Tianshui to support Zhao Yun. When Zhao Yun is ambushed, he and Zhang Yi charges to his rescue and the generals retreat. After Tianshui and Anding are captured, he is ordered by Zhuge Liang to camp at Liliu in order to aid the forces at Jieting, should they be threatened. Soon he is informed that Jieting had been attacked and conquered by Sima Yi and Zhang He. He musters his forces, calls volunteers to join him and sets out for the rescue. On the way, he meets Wei Yan and Wang Ping who flee after their defeat by Wei and tell him about Ma Su's failure. Gao Xiang then says that they should raid the Wei army's camp that night and will recover Jieting. After discussing the plan with the other commanders, they set out and reach Jieting. However, after discovering that the camp was empty and Wang Ping had not even arrived yet, they are ambushed by the Wei forces. Although they fight desperately, they are unable to overcome the enemy and defeated. They escape with help from Wang Ping's unit, return to Liliu and finally retreat to Yangping Gate.

After a short stay, Zhuge Liang orders the Shu forces to withdraw from Hanzhong. Gao Xiang, Wei Yan and Wang Ping immediately gather their men and move to Zhuge Liang's position. Wang Ping explains to Zhuge Liang that the loss of Jieting was Ma Su's fault and Gao Xiang carried out his mission with great skill. After hearing the same from the other commanders, Zhuge Liang executes Ma Su and orders Gao Xiang to make preparations in Hanzhong for another campaign against Wei.

In 234, Zhuge Liang starts another expedition against Wei and orders the building of five camps at Mt. Qi. After some skirmishes with Wei's army, Zhuge Liang orders Gao Xiang to go to Jiange and use the wooden oxen to transport supplies to Mt. Qi. After some time, they are attacked by Zhang Hu and Yue Chen, who are able to capture some of the wooden oxen. Upon his return at Zhuge Liang's camp, Gao Xiang tells him about the incident. Zhuge Liang tells him that this is what he had planned, as Sima Yi would certainly try to make copies of the wooden ox, which Sima Yi did, allowing Zhuge Liang to steal them back later on. Gao Xiang is then instructed to transport supplies with the wooden oxen again, but allow the enemy to capture some. Gao Xiang does so and is soon attacked by Xiahou Hui. As instructed by Zhuge Liang, Gao Xiang lets the enemy steal some of the oxen. This caused a great increase in Sima Yi's confidence and he orders an attack on Shu's camp. Zhuge Liang successfully defends the camp and deals a heavy defeat to Wei.

Soon afterwards, Zhuge Liang dies and the campaign is abandoned. Gao Xiang returns to Shu's riverlands and dies as well after some time.