| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 谷利, 谷利, Gǔ Lì |
| Nickname | Marquis of Duting (都亭侯); Sun Quan's bridge rescuer |
| Other name | Cốc Lợi |
| INFORMATION | |
| Death Reason | Not recorded |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Eastern Wu |
| Battles |
|
Biography & Historical Record
Gu Li (谷利, Cốc Lợi) was a Wu officer who served as a personal attendant (给使) to Sun Quan (孙权, Tôn Quyền). He is attested in Pei Songzhi’s annotations citing the Jiang Biao Zhuan (江表传): during the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford (逍遥津之战) he helped Sun Quan escape Zhang Liao’s ambush by coaching him to spur his horse across a broken bridge. Sun Quan rewarded his loyalty by enfeoffing him as Marquis of Duting (都亭侯). The novel largely follows this historical core while dramatizing the “Dilu at Tanxi” parallel in verse. Modern readers often pair his counsel with Liu Bei’s leap at Tanxi as twin horse-rescue symbols.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Chapter 67 (Cao Cao Pacifies Hanzhong; Zhang Liao’s Fame Shakes Xiaoyao Ford): After Sun Quan attacks Hefei, Zhang Liao and Li Dian ambush the Wu vanguard at Xiaoyao Ford. Sun Quan races for the Xiao Shi bridge (小师桥) but finds more than a zhang of planks torn away. Cornered by Zhang Liao’s cavalry, he is paralyzed with fear until Gu Li, a junior officer beside him, shouts: “My lord, pull the horse back, then whip it forward — leap the gap!” Sun Quan reins back three zhang, spurs hard, and flies over the broken span. A later poem compares the moment to Liu Bei’s leap at Tanxi. Gu Li and Ling Tong (凌统, Lăng Thống) hold off pursuit while Sun Quan reaches Xu Sheng’s boats; Sun Quan richly rewards both men.
Gu Li (谷利) — Historical & Literary Timeline
215 AD
Battle of Xiaoyao Ford
Zhang Liao’s night raid shatters Wu confidence at Hefei; Sun Quan’s army is routed toward the broken bridge.
215 AD (same battle)
Bridge escape
Gu Li instructs Sun Quan to rein back and charge the gap; the horse clears the missing planks — the novel’s iconic rescue.
Chapter 67
Reward and aftermath
Sun Quan heavily rewards Gu Li and Ling Tong; Zhang Liao’s fame spreads until “children dare not cry at night” in Jiangdong.
Historical record
Enfeoffment
Jiang Biao Zhuan (via Pei Songzhi): after the escape Sun Quan enfeoffs Gu Li as Marquis of Duting for faithful, blunt counsel under fire.
For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Gu Li on Wikipedia.
Key Relationships
Family
- No spouse or children recorded.
Friends
- Sun Quan (孙权, Tôn Quyền): Lord whom Gu Li served as close attendant and saved at Xiaoyao Ford.
- Ling Tong (凌统, Lăng Thống): Fellow defender who fought Zhang Liao while Sun Quan escaped — jointly rewarded.
Enemies
- Zhang Liao (张辽, Trương Liêu): Wei commander whose pursuit Gu Li helps Sun Quan evade.
- Li Dian (李典, Lý Điển) and Yue Jin (乐进, Nhạc Tiến): Co-commanders in the Xiaoyao Ford ambush.
Other
In Novel
Chapter 67
- Gu Li (谷利, Cốc Lợi): When Sun Quan reaches the broken Xiao Shi bridge with Zhang Liao closing in, Gu Li shouts: "My lord, pull the horse back, then whip it forward and leap the bridge!" (主公可将马退后，再放马向前，跳过桥去). Sun Quan follows the advice and escapes.
In History
Summary
- Gu Li (谷利, Cốc Lợi), Wu attendant to Sun Quan, helped him cross a broken bridge during Zhang Liao's 215 AD raid and was made Marquis of Duting.
Year: 215 AD
- At Xiaoyao Ford, Gu Li held Sun Quan's saddle, reined back, then whipped the horse to clear the gap — recorded in Jiang Biao Zhuan.
Historical Record
- Pei Songzhi's annotation to Sanguozhi Wu 1, citing Jiang Biao Zhuan.
- Xian Di Chun Qiu tradition praises his "loyal and forthright" character (忠果亮烈).
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