Gao Changgong (541? – June or July 573) (Chinese: 高長恭; pinyin: Gāo Chánggōng; Wade–Giles: Kao1 Chang2-kung1), born Gao Su (Chinese: 高肅; pinyin: Gāo Sù; Wade–Giles: Kao1 Su4), alternatively named Gao Xiaoguan (Chinese: 高孝瓘; pinyin: Gāo Xiàogüán; Wade–Giles: Kao1 Hsiao4-chüan2), courtesy name Changgong, posthumous name Prince Zhongwu of Lanling (蘭陵忠武王), was an imperial prince, official and high-ranking general of China's Northern Qi dynasty. He was given a fiefdom in Lanling County, southern Shandong, hence he is also popularly known by his noble title 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 and the Record of the Court Entertainment Bureau, Gao Changgong had a beautiful face and feminine physical appearance. Thus, he always wore a terrible mask when he fought in battles.
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Biography
Gao Changgong was born the fourth son of Gao Cheng, elder brother of the first emperor of Northern Qi and therefore a prince of Northern Qi. He was given the title of Prince of Lanling on 1 May 560. 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 First Turkic Khaganate when they attacked Jinyang (晉陽, 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 did not 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.
