Gongsun Du

公孫度

From Koei's ROTK 11

**Gongsun Du**, courtesy name **Shengji**, nickname **Bao**, was a extremely powerful warlord who controlled Liaodong.

## Biography

His father moved to Xuantu where Gongsun Du served Gongsun Yu, who was the Grand Administrator at the time. Now Gongsun Yu had a son named Gongsun Bao who died when he was 18. Because Gongsun Du's nickname was Bao and was similar in age, Gongsun Yu adored him and made sure he had a good education and married his daughter to him. He eventually was made a *shàngshūláng*, and the Inspector of Jizhou.

Xu Rong knew Gongsun Du and must've been friends because he used his influence on Dong Zhuo to appoint Gongsun Du as the Grand Administrator of Liaodong, likely in 190. Previously, Gongsun Du was mocked by the local officials there as he originally served in Xuantu and was shunned by the nobles there. Eager for revenge, Gongsun Du executed them. Over 100 families were exterminated in his tenure, including those with the surname of Tianshao, a noble and influential clan. Obviously the entire commandery feared him due to his brutality. Also, Gongsun Du tortured Gongsun Zhao (Grand Administrator of Xiangping) to death simply because he appointed Gongsun Kang as a *wǔzhǎng*.

Gongsun Du was a capable military commander, defeating Goguryeo and the Wuhuan in numerous occasions. It is said his authority reached overseas.

### Lust for Power

In 190, Gongsun Du learned of the chaotic situation in the Central Plains and due to his nature, said to his subordinates Liu Yi and Yang Yi that he needed their help in making him a King. He also stated that a prophecy said a *sun* would ascend (*deng*) the throne, and that he had the surname of *Gongsun* and courtesy name of *Shengji*. As *Gongsun* had *sun* in it, and *sheng* had the same meaning as *deng*, he was convinced that the subject of the prophecy was him.

His actions did not go unnoticed, however, and the Grand Adminstrator of Henei; Li Min feared for his life due to Gongsun Du's ambition, so he fled. In retaliation, the furious Gongsun Du executed Li Min's kin. He did not stop there though, he dug up Li Min's father's grave, took out the corpse from the coffin, and burned it.

He divided Liaodong into Liaoxi and Zhongliao commanderies, installing Grand Administrators in both. In addition, some of Donglai swore allegiance to Gongsun Du, who happily accepted their submission, installing a Inspector for Yingzhou. Soon enough, Gongsun Du declared himself the Marquis of Liaodong and Provincial Governor of Pingzhou. He named his late father as the Marquis of Jianyi. He did even more ambitious and megalomaniac actions that obviously showed his intentions to become Emperor that I'll list when I have time.

Cao Cao wanted to appoint Gongsun Du as the General of Military Might and the Marquis of Yongning Village but Gongsun Du replied that he was more comfortable as the 'King' of Liaodong ("I am the King of Liaodong; what is Yongning?") and hid the seal and ribbon provided.

He died in 204.

## Personality & Traits

Gongsun Du despised those who mocked him and made sure they suffered the consequences once he had power. He was also very ambitious, believing that he would become Emperor one day.

He seems to have cared for his family, as he posthumously enfeoffed his father and killed Gongsun Zhao simply for granting a low rank to Gongsun Kang.

## Fun Facts

Despite his land being extremely near Gongsun Zan (who controlled Youzhou) and sharing the same surname, the two are most likely not related. Gongsun Zan was from Lingzhi, Liaoxi and Gongsun Du was from Xiangping, Liaodong.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 公孫度字升濟，本遼東襄平人也。度父延，避吏居玄菟，任度為郡吏。時玄菟太守公孫琙，子豹，年十八歲，早死。度少時名豹，又與琙子同年，琙見而親愛之，遣就師學，為取妻。後舉有道，除尚書郎，稍遷冀州刺史，以謠言免。
Sanguozhi 08
2. ↑ 同郡徐榮為董卓中郎將，薦度為遼東太守。度起玄菟小吏，為遼東郡所輕。先時，屬國公孫昭守襄平令，召度子康為伍長。度到官，收昭，笞殺於襄平市。郡中名豪大姓田韶等宿遇無恩，皆以法誅，所夷滅百餘家，郡中震栗。
Sanguozhi 08
3. ↑ 東伐高句驪，西擊烏丸，威行海外。
Sanguozhi 08
4. ↑ 初平元年，度知中國擾攘，語所親吏柳毅、陽儀等曰：「漢祚將絕，當與諸卿圖王耳。」
Sanguozhi 08
5. ↑ 度語毅、儀：「讖書云孫登當為天子，太守姓公孫，字升濟，升即登也。」
Book of Wei
6. ↑ 故河內太守李敏，郡中知名，惡度所為，恐為所害，乃將家屬入於海。度大怒，掘其父塚，剖棺焚屍，誅其宗族。
Sanguozhi 08
7. ↑ 分遼東郡為遼西中遼郡，置太守。越海收東萊諸縣，置營州刺史。自立為遼東侯、平州牧，追封父延為建義侯。立漢二祖廟，承制設壇墠於襄平城南，郊祀天地，藉田，治兵，乘鸞路，九旒，旄頭羽騎。
Sanguozhi 08
8. ↑ 太祖表度為武威將軍，封永寧鄉侯，度曰：「我王遼東，何永寧也！」藏印綬武庫。
Sanguozhi 08
9. ↑ 度死，子康嗣位，以永寧鄉侯封弟恭。是歲建安九年也。
Sanguozhi 08