Gongsun Zan () (before 161 - April or May 199), courtesy name Bogui, was a Chinese military general, politician, and warlord who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty.
Early life and battles with foreign tribes Gongsun Zan was born in Lingzhi, Liaoxi Commandery (遼西郡), which is present-day Qian'an, Hebei.(公孫瓚字伯珪，遼西令支人也。) Sanguozhi vol. 8. He served in the secretariat commandery. His appearance was striking and his voice imposing. Furthermore, he was a talented orator. During any discussions, he would not waste time on trivial matters and concentrate on the important with great memory and pertinence in his arguments.(《典略》曰：瓚性辯慧，每白事不肯梢入，常總說數曹事，無有忘誤，太守奇其才。) Dianlue annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 8. The local Administrator (太守), whose surname was Hou (侯), was greatly impressed and married his daughter to him. He also sent him to study under the tutelage of Lu Zhi,(為郡門下書佐。有姿儀，大音聲，侯太守器之，以女妻焉，遣詣涿郡盧植讀經。) Sanguozhi vol. 8. where he bonded with Liu Bei, one of his classmates. Since Gongsun Zan was older, Liu Bei treated him like an older brother.(而瓚深與先主相友。瓚年長，先主以兄事之。) Sanguozhi vol. 32.
He was appointed as official serving in a commandery. When his Administrator (太守), whose surname was Liu (劉), was summoned by the Minister of Justice (廷尉) for an offense. Gongsun Zan drove his chariot and supported him during the travel. When he was exiled to Rinan Commandery (日南郡) in Jiao Province, Gongsun Zan decided to accompany him and prepared rice and meat as offering to his ancestors on the northern hill.(後復為郡吏。劉太守坐事徵詣廷尉，瓚為御車，身執徒養。及劉徙日南，瓚具米肉，於北芒上祭先人，) Sanguozhi vol. 8. There, raising his cup, he declared: "I was a son and now a subordinate, going to Rinan. Now, the place is hard to live and I'm uncertain if I may one day return. Therefore, I pay my respect to my ancestors." He was so passionate in his demonstration that none did not cry watching him. As they were going south, Administrator Liu was pardoned.(舉觴祝曰：「昔為人子，今為人臣，當詣日南。日南瘴氣，或恐不還，與先人辭於此。」再拜慷慨而起，時見者莫不歔欷。劉道得赦還。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
Gongsun Zan was nominated as a xiaolian (civil service candidate) and appointed as Chief Clerk (長史) in Liaodong. During a patrol with tens of horsemen, he met hundreds of Xianbei riders. While retreating, Gongsun Zan told to his men that if they did not fight back then they would all be killed. With blade attached on both ends of his spear, he led the charge through the barbarians, killing and wounding them by dozens while losing half of his troop, managing to escape.(瓚以孝廉為郎，除遼東屬國長史。嘗從數十騎出行塞，見鮮卑數百騎，瓚乃退入空亭中，約其從騎曰：「今不沖之，則死盡矣。」瓚乃自持矛，兩頭施刃，馳出刺胡，殺傷數十人，亦亡其從騎半，遂得免。) Sanguozhi vol. 8. The Xianbei fearful of him did not dare to pursue. He was promoted to Prefect (令) of Zhuo County (涿縣).(鮮卑懲艾，後不敢復入塞。遷為涿令。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
During the Guanghe era (光和; 178–184) of the reign of Emperor Ling of Han, Gongsun Zan was appointed as commander of 3 000 soldiers from You Province to quell a rebellion in Liang Province. However, in the northeast Zhang Chun (張純) started his own rebellion after securing the help of the Wuhuan leader Qiuliju. The rebels plundered Ji, killed and stole officials and civilians alike, from Youbeiping Commandery to Liaoxi Commandery, destroying everything in their path.(光和中，涼州賊起，發幽州突騎三千人，假瓚都督行事傳，使將之。軍到薊中，漁陽張純誘遼西烏丸丘力居等叛，劫略薊中，自號將軍，略吏民攻右北平、遼西屬國諸城，所至殘破。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
Gongsun Zan led his army against Zhang Chun defeating him and for his victory was promoted to Commandant of Cavalry (騎都尉). Following this the Wuhuan leader of Tanzhi (談指) surrendered alongside his tribe to Gongsun Zan. For this, he was appointed as General of the Household (中郎將) and received a marquis title.(瓚將所領，追討純等有功，遷騎都尉。屬國烏丸貪至王率種人詣瓚降。遷中郎將，封都亭侯，) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
However, Gongsun Zan made a costly error as he pursued Zhang Chun without waiting for reinforcements. Soon, Qiuliju came to Zhang Chun's aid and they forced Gongsun Zan to fall back. He fled to the town of Guanzi (管子) in Liaoxi, where Qiuliju besieged him for over 200 days. Eventually, Gongsun Zan took advantage of a snowstorm to drive through a hole in the encirclement to escape. However, he also suffered around 50 to 60% losses of his soldiers. Still, he kept command of the forces in the area and fought with the rebel tribes for five or six years. Qiuliju and other Wuhuan leaders plundered the four provinces of Qing, Xu, You and Ji. Gongsun Zan was unable to prevent them from looting and killing common people.(進屯屬國，與胡相攻擊五六年。丘力居等鈔略青、徐、幽、冀，四州被其害，瓚不能禦。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
Service under Liu Yu (189–191) Liu Yu was known to be virtuous and kind. He served as Inspector of You Province (幽州刺史) and had good relations with the foreigners. Therefore, the Han government believed he could resolve the situation without the need of armed forces. He was appointed with greater authority as Governor of You Province (幽州牧). When he arrived, Liu Yu sent emissaries to the tribes to resolve the situation peacefully if they killed Zhang Chun. When Qiuliju and other Wuhuan leaders learned that Liu Yu was here, they wanted to surrender. However, Gongsun Zan was afraid that Liu Yu's achievement would outshine his own. Therefore, he ordered his men to kill their messengers. When the tribes learned about this, they started to meet secretly with Liu Yu. Liu Yu decided to withdraw troops from their garrisons while Gongsun Zan maintained a presence at Youbeiping Commandery of 10 000 soldiers. Zhang Chun abandoned his family and fled to the Xianbei but was killed by his subordinate Wang Zheng, who had his head sent to Liu Yu. Wang Zheng received a marquis title while Liu Yu was promoted to Grand Commandant (太尉) and enfeoffed as the Marquis of Xiangben (襄賁侯).(朝議以宗正東海劉伯安既有德義，昔為幽州刺史，恩信流著，戎狄附之，若使鎮撫，可不勞眾而定，乃以劉虞為幽州牧。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.(虞到，遣使至胡中，告以利害，責使送純首。丘力居等聞虞至，喜，各遣譯自歸。瓚害虞有功，乃陰使人徼殺胡使。胡知其情，間行詣虞。虞上罷諸屯兵，但留瓚將步騎萬人屯右北平。純乃棄妻子，逃入鮮卑，為其客王政所殺，送首詣虞。封政為列侯。虞以功即拜太尉，封襄賁侯。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
Emperor Xian of Han wanted to escape Dong Zhuo's influence and secretly sent Liu Yu's son, Liu He (劉和) to inform his father of his intention and assist him when he would move back east. However, Yuan Shu captured Liu He and ordered him to ask for soldiers as Yuan Shu pretended he would use them to rescue the emperor. Liu Yu sent several thousand horsemen. Gongsun Zan knew that Yuan Shu was lying and didn't want to send soldiers. However, Liu Yu refused to listen to him. As Gongsun Zan feared Yuan Shu would hold a grudge, he sent his younger cousin Gongsun Yue with a thousand horsemen while advising Yuan Shu that he should keep Liu He and Liu Yu's soldiers. From then on, Liu Yu and Gongsun Zan were no longer on good terms. Liu He later escaped but was again imprisoned by Yuan Shao.(虞子和為侍中，在長安。天子思東歸，使和偽逃卓，潛出武關詣虞，令將兵來迎。和道經袁術，為說天子意。術利虞為援，留和不遣，許兵至俱西，令和為書與虞。虞得和書，乃遣數千騎詣和。瓚知術有異志，不欲遣兵，止虞，虞不可。瓚懼術聞而怨之，亦遣其從弟越將千騎詣術以自結，而陰教術執和，奪其兵。由是虞、瓚益有隙。和逃術來北，復為紹所留。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
Conflict with Yuan Shao (191–193) Gongsun Yue died at the Battle of Yangcheng and Gongsun Zan blamed Yuan Shao for his cousin's death. He raised troops and prepared for a campaign. Yuan Shao was afraid and offered his position as Administrator of Bohai to Gongsun Fan, a cousin of Gongsun Zan. However, Gongsun Fan led the troops of Bohai to join Gongsun Zan. They defeated Yellow Turban rebels present in Qing and Xu provinces. Their armies were impressive and moved toward Jie Bridge.(是時，術遣孫堅屯陽城拒卓，紹使周昂奪其處。術遣越與堅攻昂，不勝，越為流矢所中死。瓚怒曰：「余弟死，禍起於紹。」遂出軍屯磐河，將以報紹。紹懼，以所佩勃海太守印綬授瓚從弟範，遣之郡，欲以結援。範遂以勃海兵助瓚，破青、徐黃巾，兵益盛；進軍界橋。) Sanguozhi vol. 8. Gongsun Zan also wrote a memorial to the imperial court, where he listed Yuan Shao's crimes. Thereafter, he led his armies and defeated Yuan Shao's forces on his way.(《典略》載瓚表紹罪狀曰：...遂舉兵與紹對戰，紹不勝。) Dianlue annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 8.
Gongsun Zan appointed Yan Gang as Inspector of Ji Province, Tian Kai as Inspector of Qing Province and Shan Jing as Inspector of Yan Province alongside his own officials to the commanderies and counties. While Yuan Shao led his army at Guangzong to face him. Qu Yi defeated Gongsun Zan and captured Yan Gang. Gongsun Zan then fled to Bohai and later alongside Gongsun Fan returned to Ji, where the relation with Liu Yu deteriorated.(以嚴綱為冀州，田楷為青州，單經為兗州，置諸郡縣。紹軍廣川，令將麴義先登與瓚戰，生禽綱。瓚軍敗走勃海，與範俱還薊，於大城東南築小城，與虞相近，稍相恨望。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
Against Liu Yu (193) When Liu Yu tried to resolve the matters peacefully with the foreign tribes. Gongsun Zan would disagree with him, attacking them as he believed they couldn't be controlled, also, thinking that if they used gold and gifts then the foreigners would belittle the Han forces. Hence this solution could only work temporarily, and not for a long time. Therefore, Gongsun Zan prevented Liu Yu from bestowing rewards to the foreigners. Liu Yu tried to meet with Gongsun Zan but Gongsun Zan would always refuse, pretending that he was ill. After Gongsun Zan's defeat at Jieqiao. Liu Yu wanted to attack him however he was dissuaded by his official, Wei You who told him that he needed to be tolerant of Gongsun Zan's flaws as he was a man of great military and politic talents and those abilities were needed to secure the realm.(《魏氏春秋》曰：初，劉虞和輯戎狄，瓚以胡夷難禦，當因不賓而討之，今加財賞，必益輕漢，效一時之名，非久長深慮。故虞所賞賜，瓚輒鈔奪。虞數請會，稱疾不往。至是戰敗，虞欲討之，告東曹掾右北平人魏攸。攸曰：「今天下引領，以公為歸，謀臣爪牙，不可無也。瓚，文武才力足恃，雖有小惡，固宜容忍。」乃止。) Wei Shi Chunqiu annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 8.
A year later, Wei You died of illness and Liu Yu alongside his officials who thought Gongsun Zan would rebel, decided to secretly attack Gongsun Zan. However, Gongsun Zan's soldiers surrounded by hostile forces managed to force their way through the city's gate to regroup, pushed on by the fear of total anhilation. Liu Yu's soldiers were also disorganized and lacked experience. Moreover, Liu Yu ordered them not to disrupt the people and prevent destruction of their houses. Gongsun Zan used this, distraught them with a fire before leading his soldiers to the attack. Liu Yu's troops were greatly defeated while he fled to Juyong. Gongsun Zan then captured him alongside the families of his subordinates, taking him back to Ji. He also killed the government officials and the people of the scholar-gentry.(後一年，攸病死。虞又與官屬議，密令眾襲瓚。瓚部曲放散在外，自懼敗，掘東城門欲走。虞兵無部伍，不習戰，又愛民屋，敕令勿燒。故瓚得放火，因以精銳衝突。虞眾大潰，奔居庸城。瓚攻及家屬以還，殺害州府，衣冠善士殆盡。) Wei Shi Chunqiu annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 8.
Around this time, Duan Xun (段訓) was sent to grant additional honors to Liu Yu. Gongsun Zan was promoted to General of the Vanguard (前將軍) and enfeoffed as the Marquis of Yi (易侯). Gongsun Zan forced Duan Xun to justify the execution of Liu Yu under the pretense that Liu Yu wanted to proclaim himself Emperor.(虞懼瓚為變，遂舉兵襲瓚。虞為瓚所敗，出奔居庸。瓚攻拔居庸，生獲虞，執虞還薊。會卓死，天子遣使者段訓增虞邑，督六州；瓚遷前將軍，封易侯。瓚誣虞欲稱尊號，脅訓斬虞。) Sanguozhi vol. 8.
Before Liu Yu's execution, Gongsun Zan had him exposed in town. Telling that if Liu Yu would become Emperor, then he would surely be saved by Heaven's rain. As it was one of the hottest day of summer, there was no rain. Therefore, Gongsun Zan killed Liu Yu. Just as he was about to be executed, many of his subordinates joined him. As they insulted Gongsun Zan for his actions, Gongsun Zan had them killed along with Liu Yu.(《典略》曰：瓚曝虞於市而祝曰：「若應為天子者，天當降雨救之。」時盛暑，竟日不雨，遂殺虞。) Dianlue annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 8.(《英雄記》曰：虞之見殺，故常山相孫瑾、掾張逸、張瓚等忠義憤發，相與就虞，罵瓚極口，然後同死。) Yingxiong Ji annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 8.
Struggle in the north (193–199)