Gongsun Zan

Gongsun Zan (onyomi: Kōson San) was a general who fought for the Han forces. He was supposedly a strict and noble general, but disrespected his officers. He and Liu Bei were old friends having studied together, and the latter served him for a time. After Gongsun Zan lost to Yuan Shao, he was too distressed to live and killed himself and his family. He is famed for his White Riders unit, which are five thousand elite soldiers on white steeds.

Dynasty Warriors
In both Dynasty Warriors 4 and Dynasty Warriors 5, Gongsun Zan participates as one of the commanders on the Allied Forces against Dong Zhuo at the Battle of Hulao Gate. Dynasty Warriors 4: Xtreme Legends has his known role being the enemy commander at Jie Qiao fighting Yuan Shao's army with the Bai Ma cavalry. Dynasty Warriors 5 features him in the Battle of Changshan as well and has him fight against Yuan Shao. It is generally mentioned that he dies in battle afterwards.

In Dynasty Warriors 6, Gongsun Zan appears early in Zhao Yun's Musou mode at the Battle of Hu Lao Gate as the latter's lord. He nearly starts a scene with Yuan Shao before being restrained by his vassal and inadvertently introduces Zhao Yun to Liu Bei. After the battle he gloats at the superiority of his forces and is dumbfounded when Zhao Yun leaves his services.

Quotes

 * "You'll see, Yuan Shao; I am the one whose name will shine brightest on the field of battle."
 * Gongsun Zan before Hu Lao Gate; Dynasty Warriors 6


 * "What you say about it all, Yuan Shao? It was my White Riders that the enemy feared most! It was the White Riders! Zhao Yun, you fought almost as well as I did out there. I want you around. You've got a big future. Right! I'll be due some honors for this fight, that's for certain! This country needs more men like me!"
 * Gongsun Zan after the Battle of Hu Lao Gate; Dynasty Warriors 6


 * "This is but a minor setback!" - Dynasty Warriors 7

Historical Information
Gongsun Zan was from Liaoxi Commandery in You Province and member of a family of high officials. He was described as handsome and skilled in debate. He became a local officer in Liaoxi and was admired by its Administrator Hou, who gave him his daughter to marriage. After having studied under Lu Zhi, he returned to the commandery and was further promoted. When the new Administrator, Liu Ji, was brought to the capital and exiled to southern China, Gongsun Zan displayed great loyalty by escorting him to the capital and making sacrifices for his journey to the south.

Upon his return, he was nominated Filial and Incorrupt and made gentleman cadet. Afterwards, he became an assistant magistrate in Liaodong Commandery and led cavalry troops against the Wuhuan and Xianbei tribes in northern China, where he achieved great successes. His white horse archers became known as the "Baima Cavalry". However, during one fight against the Xianbei, he lost many of his troops, causing him to be dismissed from office. Still, the Xianbei were so intimidated by his display that they halted their advance. It is said that they used his image for target practice and cheered whenever someone hit it.

Eventually, Gongsun Zan was re-appointed magistrate, this time in Zhuo Commandery, and in 187, he was given command of some Wuhuan auxiliaries to participate in the Liang Province rebellion and was successful. One year later, he became Commandant of Cavalry and defeated the rebels in You Province led by Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun. He further campaigned against Wuhuan chief Qiuliju and defeated him, but once he advanced into Liaodong, he was besieged by the latter and escaped only with heavy losses. He was made colonel despite this and enfeoffed, being feared by the non-Chinese for his courage. He later objected the lenient policies of You's governor Liu Yu, but when Qiuliju surrendered, he was resentful.

In 190, after Dong Zhuo had taken power, Liu Yu was made Grand Marshal and Gongsun Zan was given command of Ji county, becoming a general in the process. In 191, Gongsun Zan defeated vast numbers of Yellow Turban remnants in Qing Province. Later that year, his cousin Gongsun Yue was killed in a confrontation between Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, he declared war on Yuan Shao, captured territories in Ji Province and named his general Tian Kai Inspector of Qing Province. Later that year, Gongsun Zan was defeated by Yuan Shao's general Qu Yi at Jieqiao.

In 193, relations between Gongsun Zan and Liu Yu deteriorated. Since Yuan Shu held Liu Yu's son Liu He as a captive after the latter escaped from Chang'an, Liu Yu sided with Yuan Shao and objected Gongsun Zan's aggressive policy. Because of this, Liu Yu started to withhold supplies, causing the two to clash. Gongsun Zan built a fortress at Ji, which was attacked by Liu Yu. Gongsun Zan emerged victorious, captured and killed Liu Yu. Gongsun Zan was later appointed General of the Van and declared himself Inspector of You Province.

Gongsun Zan's rule in You Province was very harsh and severe, especially on the members of the local gentry. Tian Kai was driven out of Qing Province by Yuan Tan, but Gongsun Zan remained very powerful in the northeast. Xianyu Fu, a former subject of Liu Yu, rose in rebellion with Yan Rou and other Wuhuan allies in 195. They were joined by Yuan Shao's men under Liu Yu's son Liu He and Qu Yi. Gongsun Zan started to lose power and his officials in You were killed and replaced by rebel leaders.

In the subsequent years, Gongsun Zan built a vast defense complex in Yijing with agricultural colonies and kept himself isolated. He maneged to repulse Yuan Shao's first attacks led by Qu Yi. However, in 198, Yuan Shao himself led his main army against Yijing. He dug tunnels and fired them to bring down the walls. In early 199, Yijing was stormed by Yuan Shao's men and Gongsun Zan killed his wife and children before committing suicide. Yuan Shao's men cut off Gongsun Zan's head and sent it to the capital in Xuchang.