Gao Changgong

Gao Changgong
Prince of Lanling
Prince of Lanling at Itsukushima Shrine
Died	573
Spouse	Lady Zheng
Full name Family name: Gāo 高 Given name: Sù 肅 / Xiaoguan 孝瓘 Courtesy name: Changgong 長恭
Father	Gao Cheng

Gao Changgong (died 573 AD) (Chinese: 高长恭; pinyin: Gāo Chánggōng), formal name was Gao Su (Traditional Chinese: 高肅; Simplified Chinese: 高肃; pinyin: Gāo Sù) or Gao Xiaoguan (高孝瓘), was a high-ranking general of the Northern Qi dynasty given a fiefdom in Lanling County, so he was also known as the Prince of Lanling (蘭陵王). Gao Changgong was the grandson of Gao Huan and the fourth son of Gao Cheng. According to the Book of Northern Qi, Gao Changgong had a beautiful face thus he always wore a terrible mask when he fought in battles. He is also known as one of China's Four Most Handsome Men.

Gao Changgong was born the fifth son of Gao Cheng, elder brother of the first emperor of Northern Qi and therefore a prince of Northern Qi. As his land was known as Lanling, he was given the title of Prince of Lanling. Gao Changgong was also made a general by Emperor Wucheng of Northern Qi (Gao Zhan), his uncle, and his distinction in battles as well as personal kindness and bravery led him becoming widely loved and admired. Legend has it that he looked beautiful like a woman so he wore a mask in battles to appear more fearsome to the enemy.

Gao Changgong repelled the Göktürks when they attacked Jinyang (晋阳, now the city of Taiyuan). His most famous battle however was the rescue of the siege of Jinyong (金墉, near modern Luoyang) in 564 A.D. Gao Changgong led only 500 cavalrymen and fought through an army of Northern Zhou, which was attacking the city with 100,000 soldiers. He fought his way to the gates the city, surprising the defenders. The soldiers of Jinyong didn't recognize him, so he took off his helmet and mask. The soldiers in the city rejoiced at his arrival and were refilled with courage. They opened the gates and joined the battle outside the city. Soon the army of Northern Zhou was defeated.