The Chronicle of Gao Yanshi: Heroic Ambitions

Author: Gao Yanshi, courtesy name Jizu, of the Gao family from Jingzhou in the Hejian circuit, was renowned among his clan. With dragon-like brows and a leopard’s neck, his physique was imposing and extraordinary. His courage was unmatched; his skill with horse and spear peerless, and his fame spread throughout the land.

Mao Gui, the Grand Commander of Shandong, heard of him and summoned him to his camp. At that time, Gao Yanshi was just fifteen years old. He started as the leader of the guards, and after repeatedly distinguishing himself in battle, rose to command a thousand cavalry. Mao Gui was particularly fond of Yanshi’s youthful vigor and unrivaled bravery, and took him into his confidence, bestowing upon him many favors.

Due to his fiery temperament, Yanshi often intimidated the other commanders in Mao Gui’s camp. Though many secretly resented him, they feared both his ferocity and Mao Gui’s favor.

When he turned seventeen, Mao Gui was killed by a plot devised by his former master, Zhao Junyong. Yanshi then joined Wang Shicheng to quell Zhao Junyong’s rebellion. Gao Yanshi, riding alone, faced the enemy single-handedly, slaying several of Junyong’s elite generals and forcing the main army to retreat. His deeds earned him the titles, “Flying General” and “The Present-day Luo Shixin” within the army. Yet his arrogance displeased Wang Shicheng, and he received no reward.

When the Grand Founder plotted to take Yidu, Yanshi, due to his drinking, made a mistake and was wounded by a secret arrow from Guo Conglong, suffering two defeats at his hands and bearing a deep grudge.

When the Grand Founder was besieging Yidu, Yanshi and Liu Guo were ordered to lead several hundred cavalry to raid the Grand Founder’s supply lines. Yanshi led the vanguard and advanced first. The deputy, Liu Guo, whom Yanshi had always looked down upon, set many ambushes. As Yanshi pressed deep into the enemy lines, he fell into a trap. Liu Guo, holding his troops back, said to his confidants, “I was ordered because they said the Hejian boy should lead. Now every move of the army is left to me. He is reckless, charging through mud to fight. If the main force advances, they will surely sink into the mire. It is better we hold our formation and wait.”

Yanshi, wielding his spear, charged into the enemy ranks, breaking through behind their lines. The enemy scattered before him, and he fought his way in and out, arrows raining down like porcupine quills. His ferocity grew fiercer; the soldiers of the Eastern Sea fell before his spear, with more than a hundred slain. Yet the enemy’s numbers were great, and even after three desperate attempts to break through, wounded and his horse killed, Yanshi drew his sword and slew another twenty men before his strength gave out and he was captured. He sighed deeply: “Even Guan and Zhang could not match this. Today’s defeat is not the fault of battle, but of men, of time, of fate.” Thus he surrendered to the Grand Founder.

The generals who fought Yanshi, including Monk Li, Hu Zhong, and other commanders from the Eastern Sea, were all renowned for their courage.

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