Gao Changgong
Gao Changgong（高长恭）, whose formal name was Gao Su (高肃）or Gao Xiaoguan（高孝瓘）, was also known as Prince of Lanling （兰陵王）as his princedom was Lanling County. Gao Changgong was the grandson of Gao Huan（高欢）and the fourth son of Gao Cheng（高澄）. Gao Changgong was a high rank general of Northern Qi Dynasty. 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.
Biography
Gao Changgong established his reputation after a series battles. Later he became one of the famous generals of the country. Gao Changgong was brave and kindhearted. Even he received some fruits he would share with his soldiers.
Gao Changgong's most famous battle was the rescue of the siege of Jinyong (now in Luoyang City) in 564 A.D. Gao Changgong lead only 500 cavalries and assaulted through the prevailing army of Northern Zhou. He fought to the gate of the city. The soldiers of Jinyong couldn't recognize him, so he took off his helmet and mask. The soldiers in the city acclaimed and were recharged with courage. They open the gate and join the battle outside the city. Soon the army of Northern Zhou was defeated.
In order to celebrate the victory, the soldiers composed a famous song and dance "Prince Lanling in Battle”（兰陵王入阵曲）. Hundreds years later, the song and the dance were forgotten in China. Fortunately the music and the dance were introduced into Japan and had been preserved there as traditional heritage and still been performed in some ceremonies.
When Gao Wei（高纬）, his cousin ascended the throne, Gao Changong's reputation, competence and influence over the army upset the young emperor. One day after listening to the song "Prince Lanling in Battle”, Gao Wei said, “it is too dangerous for you to get into the enemy’s battle array. In case you lose, you will have no chance to regret.” Then Gao Changgong answered, “No, I didn’t think about that. I am responsible for our family’s business.”
The emperor felt nervous at hearing these words. He was afraid that Gao Changgong might overthrow him. The fact of the Gao family was that the uncles often killed nephews and cousins killed cousins.
To avoid the emperor's suspect, Gao Changgong often pretended to be sick, stayed away from wars and politics. No matter how low profile he kept, the emperor still sent him a cup of poisonous wine one day in 573 A.D.. Gao Changgong drank the wine and ended his life probably in his early 30’s.
Four years after Gao Changgong's death, Northern Qi was destroyed by the North Zhou. All the Gao’s family members were killed.
Popular culture
Gao Changgong is one of the 32 historical figures who appear as special characters in the video game Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI by Koei.