Early life

Gan Ning was from Linjiang County (临江县), Ba Commandery (巴郡), which is in present-day Zhong County, Chongqing. His ancestral home was actually in Nanyang, Henan; his ancestors migrated to Ba Commandery and settled there. When he was still a youth, he accepted an offer to serve as an accounting assistant in the local commandery office. He resigned and went home after serving for a short period of time.

In his younger days, Gan Ning was known to be very energetic and eager to behave like a youxia or vigilante. He gathered a group of wayward young men under his leadership to rob and plunder for a living. They armed themselves with bows and crossbows, wore feathers in their hats and tied bells on their bodies. The ringing of the bells alerted people to the presence of Gan Ning and his gang. Gan Ning's plundering and murderous ways made him infamous throughout Ba Commandery. On land, he and his gang travelled by riding on horses or in chariots in a certain formation; on water, they sailed on light vessels linked together. They also wore elaborate and flamboyant garments to attract attention. When they stopped at a certain location, they used silk to tie their boats to the jetties; when they were departing, they cut the silk and abandoned it as a display of their extravagance.

Among those who had dealings with Gan Ning were some local officials. They treated Gan Ning generously. In return, he befriended them and showed genuine feelings towards them. On the other hand, those who treated him badly suffered the fate of being robbed of their possessions by him and his gang. Even government officials were not spared. Gan Ning led the life of a marauder until he was over 20 years old.

After Liu Yan, the governor of Yi Province (covering present-day Sichuan and Chongqing), died in 194, Gan Ning rebelled against his son and successor, Liu Zhang. He received support from Liu He (刘阖), an official from the neighbouring Jing Province (covering present-day Hubei and Hunan), and Liu Zhang's subordinates Shen Mi (沈弥) and Lou Fa (娄发). However, they failed and were forced to flee to Jing Province.

Service under Liu Biao and Huang Zu

Gan Ning eventually decided to stop plundering and pillaging. He read some books and picked up ideas from the Hundred Schools of Thought. Later, he brought along 800 men to join Liu Biao, the Governor of Jing Province (covering present-day Hubei and Hunan), and was stationed in Nanyang Commandery. Liu Biao had a scholarly background and was not proficient in military affairs. Around the time, chaos had broken out all around China as contending warlords fought each other for territorial gains and hegemony over the empire. Gan Ning observed that Liu Biao was doomed to failure and was worried that he would be affected, so he and his followers planned to head east towards the Wu (or Jiangdong) region, which was under the control of the warlord Sun Ce and later Sun Quan. When they reached Jiangxia Commandery (江夏郡; present-day eastern Hubei) in eastern Jing Province, they could not cross the border into Wu territory as Sun Quan was at war with Liu Biao at the time. Gan Ning thus remained at Jiangxia and became a subordinate of the commandery administrator, Huang Zu, who did not recognise his talent and treated him coldly for three years.

In 203, Sun Quan led his forces to attack Huang Zu and defeated him at the Battle of Xiakou. Gan Ning, a skilled archer, led a detachment of troops as backup and came to Huang Zu's rescue. He fired an arrow which killed Ling Cao, a colonel under Sun Quan, thus saving Huang Zu's life. Huang Zu did not change his attitude towards Gan Ning after the incident. Su Fei (苏飞), an area commander under Huang Zu, recommended Gan Ning as a talent but Huang Zu ignored him. Huang Zu even attempted to induce Gan Ning's followers to abandon their leader and join him instead; some of them agreed.

Gan Ning was very unhappy with Huang Zu and wanted to leave him, but was worried that Huang Zu would not allow it so he felt very frustrated. Su Fei understood Gan Ning's frustration so he invited him for drinks and said: "I recommended you to Huang Zu many times, but he doesn't want to make good use of your talents. As days pass, people grow older. You should make plans for your future and find someone who truly appreciates your talents." Gan Ning paused for a moment before replying: "That's what I have in mind, but I can't find an excuse to leave." Su Fei then said: "I will suggest to Huang Zu to appoint you as the chief of Zhu County (邾县; northwest of present-day Huanggang, Hubei). Although it may be a difficult start, it will eventually become easier for you to decide where to go from there." After Huang Zu approved Su Fei's suggestion, Gan Ning gathered a few hundred men who were willing to follow him and headed towards Zhu County. From there, they crossed the border into the Jiangdong territories.

Battle of Jiangxia

When Gan Ning brought his followers to Jiangdong, Zhou Yu and Lü Meng recommended him as a talent to their lord, Sun Quan. Sun Quan felt that Gan Ning was an extraordinary man and treated him like an old friend. Gan Ning proposed:

Sun Quan wanted to follow Gan Ning's plan, but his adviser Zhang Zhao strongly objected: "The territories in Wu have not been completely pacified yet. If we proceed with this campaign, I am afraid there will be chaos." Gan Ning rebuked Zhang Zhao: "Our lord has entrusted responsibilities to you as if you were Xiao He. If you can't even be confident that there won't be chaos under your watch, how can you expect to be like Xiao He?" Sun Quan then raised his glass to Gan Ning and said: "Xingba, I have decided to put you in charge of the campaign this year just as I offer this drink to you. You should strive your best to come up with a strategy to defeat Huang Zu. Once you have proven yourself, you won't need to take Zhang Zhao's words to heart."

In the spring of 208, Sun Quan led his forces west to attack Huang Zu at Jiangxia Commandery (江夏郡; around present-day Xinzhou District, Wuhan, Hubei) and succeeded in defeating and capturing Huang Zu alive, as well as taking control over his troops. Gan Ning was placed in command of some soldiers and ordered to garrison at Dangkou (当口).

Sometime in the late 200s to early 210s, Gan Ning were involved in a revolt orchestrased by some officials against the newly ascended Liu Zhang, whose father who had just passed away. Liu Zhang sent Zhao Wei (赵韪), a key ally of his late father, to march on the rebels and managed to suppress the rebels and forced them to flee into Jingzhou (荆州) in the east.

Saving Su Fei

Before the campaign, Sun Quan had prepared two boxes for containing the heads of Huang Zu and Su Fei (苏飞). After the battle, Su Fei, who had become a prisoner-of-war, immediately asked someone to inform Gan Ning. Gan Ning said: "If Su Fei didn't say anything, I would have forgotten about him." Later, when Sun Quan and his officers were celebrating the victory, Gan Ning left his seat and knelt down before Sun Quan. He kowtowed until his face was covered in blood and, with tears in his eyes, he pleaded with Sun Quan: "I owe Su Fei a favour. If not for him, I'd have been dead and my body abandoned in a ravine. I'd not have been able to serve under you. Now, even though Su Fei's actions warrant death, I still hope you can spare him." Sun Quan was moved and he asked: "What if he leaves after I spare his life?" Gan Ning replied: "Su Fei will be grateful if he is spared from death. He won't leave even if you try to chase him away. Why would he still court his own doom? If he really does that, I am willing to use my head to replace his in the box." Sun Quan then pardoned Su Fei.

Red Cliffs campaign

In the winter of 208–209, Gan Ning fought in the Battle of Red Cliffs under Zhou Yu's command against the forces of Cao Cao, and defeated the enemy at Wulin (乌林). He also participated in the subsequent Battle of Jiangling. Sun Quan's forces, led by Zhou Yu, attacked Cao Cao's general Cao Ren at Nan Commandery (南郡; around present-day Jiangling County, Hubei) but were unable to conquer the city. Gan Ning suggested that he lead a separate force to capture Yiling (夷陵; around present-day Yichang, Hubei). He had only a few hundred soldiers with him when he reached Yiling but the strength of his army increased to around 1,000 after he recruited some men in the area. Cao Ren sent 5,000 to 6,000 troops to besiege Gan Ning at Yiling. Cao Ren's men built high towers, from which they rained arrows upon Yiling. Gan Ning's men were terrified but their commander remained calm. He sent a messenger to request aid from Zhou Yu, who heeded Lü Meng's plan and led reinforcements to help Gan Ning while leaving behind Ling Tong to defend their position. Zhou Yu, Lü Meng and the others succeeded in lifting the siege at Yiling, while Ling Tong managed to hold his ground well for that period of time. Eventually, Cao Ren was ordered to abandon Nan Commandery because the prolonged war had drained much manpower and resources on Cao Cao's side, and this resulted in the capture of the commandery by Sun Quan's forces.

Guan Yus shallows

In 215, Sun Quan had disputes with his ally Liu Bei over the division of southern Jing Province between their respective domains. Sun Quan sent Lü Meng and Ling Tong to seize the three commanderies of Changsha (长沙), Lingling (零陵; around present-day Yongzhou, Hunan) and Guiyang (桂阳; around present-day Chenzhou, Hunan) from Liu Bei, and then ordered Lu Su to station at Yiyang as a precaution against any retaliation by Liu Bei's general Guan Yu, who was in charge of his lord's territories in southern Jing Province. Gan Ning joined Lu Su at Yiyang. Guan Yu claimed he had 30,000 troops as he selected 5,000 elite troopers to the upstream shallows located some 10 li away from Yiyang, and planned to cross the shallows at night. Lu Su held a discussion with his subordinates on how to deal with Guan Yu. At the time, Gan Ning had only 300 men under him and he told Lu Su,

"If you give me another 500 troops, I will go to confront Guan Yu. I assure you that Guan Yu won't dare to cross the waters when he hears of my approach. But if he does, I will capture him."

Lu Su then chose 1,000 troops and put them under Gan Ning's command. Gan Ning headed towards Guan Yu's position at night. As Gan Ning expected, Guan Yu did not cross the shallows and instead set up camps there. That place was thus named 'Guan Yu's Shallows' (关羽濑).

Sun Quan was so pleased with Gan Ning's achievement that he appointed him as the Administrator (太守) of Xiling Commandery (西陵郡) and let him oversee the counties of Yangxin (阳新) and Xiazhi (下雉; east of present-day Yangxin County, Hubei).

Battle of Xiaoyao Ford

In early 215, Gan Ning was involved in an attack on Cao Cao's garrison at Wan County (皖县; in present-day Qianshan County, Anhui) and was in charge of the unit assigned to scale the fortress's walls. Armed with a chain, he was the first to climb up the walls and his men captured Wan County's defending commander, Zhu Guang (朱光). Lü Meng earned the top credit while Gan Ning received the second highest credit for the victory. Gan Ning was promoted to General Who Breaks and Charges (折冲将军).

Later that year, Gan Ning participated in Sun Quan's campaign to seize control of Hefei, which was defended by Cao Cao's general Zhang Liao. Sun Quan was unable to capture Hefei after besieging the city for days and suffering defeats in the initial skirmishes, and he eventually withdrew his forces when a plague broke out in his army. Sun Quan's other units retreated first, while Sun Quan himself remained behind at Xiaoyao Ford (逍遥津) with only about 1,000 men and a few officers (including Lü Meng, Jiang Qin, Ling Tong and Gan Ning). When Zhang Liao saw that, he seized the opportunity to launch a devastating counterattack and throw the enemy into confusion. Gan Ning led a group of archers to fire arrows at the enemy while Ling Tong and the others fought fiercely to protect their lord. Gan Ning shouted at the men to beat the war drums and blow the horns loudly to raise the army's morale. Sun Quan eventually succeeded in escaping but his forces sustained heavy losses. He praised Gan Ning for his acts of courage after the battle.

Battle of Ruxu

Two years later in 217, Cao Cao personally led an army, said to be 400,000 strong, to attack Sun Quan's garrison at Ruxu (濡须). Sun Quan led about 70,000 troops to counter the enemy. Gan Ning commanded the 3,000 strong vanguard. Sun Quan gave a secret order for Gan Ning to attack the enemy under the cover of nightfall, so Gan Ning selected 100 elite soldiers. Before the battle, Sun Quan sent food and wine to Gan Ning and his men. After the feast, Gan Ning poured wine into a silver bowl and drank two bowls before offering it to an officer. The officer knelt down and did not dare to take the bowl, so Gan Ning drew his sword, placed it on his lap and said: "You respect our lord but not me? I don't fear death. Why do you fear death?" The officer saw that Gan Ning was very stern so he obliged and drank from it and then ordered each soldier to drink one bowl of wine."

When it was nearing midnight, Gan Ning and his 100 men raided Cao Cao's camp and destroyed some defensive structures and killed dozens of enemy soldiers. Cao Cao's troops were shocked so they sounded the alarm and lit up the entire camp with torches. By then, Gan Ning and his men had already returned safely to their own camp, where they beat their drums, blew their horns, and shouted "wansui!"

Later that night, Gan Ning went to see a delighted Sun Quan, who told him: "Were your actions enough to frighten the old man (Cao Cao)? I had the opportunity of witnessing your valour." Sun Quan then rewarded Gan Ning with 1,000 rolls of silk and 100 swords. He also remarked, "Mengde (Cao Cao) has Zhang Liao while I have Xingba. I can match him." Cao Cao withdrew his armies from Ruxu after slightly more than a month. Gan Ning commanded even greater respect among Sun Quan's forces and the number of troops under his command increased by 2,000.

Death

When Gan Ning died, Sun Quan deeply lamented his death. No further details about Gan Ning's death were provided in his biography in the Sanguozhi. However, the Jiankang Shilu recorded that Gan Ning died in the winter of 215–216, while the Australian sinologist Rafe de Crespigny estimated that Gan Ning died around 220.

Family

Gan Ning's ancestor was Gan Mao (甘茂), a chancellor of the Qin state in the Warring States period.

Gan Ning's son, Gan Gui (甘瓌), was exiled to Kuaiji Commandery (around present-day Shaoxing, Zhejiang) for committing an offence and died not long later.

Gan Shu (甘述), another son of Gan Ning, served as a Master of Writing (尚书) in the state of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period. Gan Shu's son, Gan Chang (甘昌), served as the Crown Prince's Tutor (太子太傅) in Wu. Gan Chang had a son – Gan Zhuo (甘卓), whose courtesy name was Jisi (季思). Gan Zhuo served as Senior General Who Guards the South (镇南大将军) and Governor of Jing Province (荆州牧) during the Jin dynasty.

Appraisal

Gan Ning was rough and violent; moreover he took pleasure in killing. However, he was also jovial, gregarious and capable of using strategy. He respected virtuous persons and had little regard for monetary wealth. He treated his men well and they were also willing to fight for him with their lives.

Conflict with Ling Tong

Ling Tong (Ling Cao's son) never forgave Gan Ning for killing his father at the Battle of Xiakou in 203. Gan Ning was always on the defensive against Ling Tong and deliberately avoided meeting him. Sun Quan also ordered Ling Tong to not seek vengeance on Gan Ning. There was one incident during a banquet held in Lü Meng's house, where both Gan Ning and Ling Tong were present. When Ling Tong was performing a sword dance to entertain the guests, Gan Ning stood up and said, "I can also perform with my pair of jis." Lü Meng told Gan Ning: "You may be good in performing, but you're not as good as me." He then drew his sword and carried a shield and stood between Ling Tong and Gan Ning to separate the two of them. When Sun Quan heard about the incident, he relocated Gan Ning to a garrison at Banzhou (半州).

Dispute with Lü Meng

One of Gan Ning's servants committed an offence and was afraid of being punished so he sought shelter under Lü Meng. Lü Meng feared that Gan Ning would kill the servant so he did not send the servant away. Later, when Gan Ning visited Lü Meng's house and brought along gifts for the latter's mother, Lü brought the servant out to meet Gan, and Gan promised to spare the servant. However, Gan Ning reneged on his word later as he tied the servant to a tree and personally killed him by firing arrows at him. After that, he went back to his boat and ordered his men to lengthen the hawsers while he undressed and rested inside the cabin.

Lü Meng was furious when he heard that Gan Ning had killed the servant so he gathered his own men and prepared to confront Gan. Gan Ning continued resting when he heard Lü Meng approaching. Lü Meng's mother came out of the house barefooted and chided her son: "The lord (Sun Quan) treats you like his family and entrusts you with important responsibilities. How can you kill Gan Ning just because you have a private feud with him? If Gan Ning dies, even if the lord does not inquire into the incident, you have already overstepped your role as a subject." Lü Meng was a filial son so his anger subsided after listening to his mother. He then went to Gan Ning's boat, laughed and said: "Xingba, my mother is treating you to a meal. Come up quickly!" Gan Ning wept and replied: "I have let you down." He followed Lü Meng to meet his mother and they feasted for the whole day.

In popular culture

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Gan Ning appears as a character in the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, which romanticises the historical events before and during the Three Kingdoms period. Some of the actual events in his life are exaggerated or dramatised in the novel.

The description of Gan Ning's night raid on Cao Cao's camp at the Battle of Ruxu in the novel is more vivid as compared to that mentioned in his biography. Before the raid, Ling Tong leads 3,000 troops to engage the enemy and duels with Zhang Liao before he receives orders to retreat. When Gan Ning sees that, he tells Sun Quan: "Tonight I'll bring only 100 men to raid Cao Cao's camp. If I lose a single soldier, this won't count as a contribution." That night, he leads 100 horsemen to attack Cao Cao's camp and all of them return alive after inflicting heavy damage and casualties on the enemy.

Gan Ning kills Ling Tong's father, Ling Cao, at the Battle of Xiakou in 203. Since then, even after Gan Ning comes to serve Sun Quan, Ling Tong still holds a grudge against him. Their conflict is dramatised in chapters 67–68 of the novel, and is eventually resolved after Gan Ning saves Ling Tong's life.

Gan Ning's death is described in Chapter 83. He is killed at the Battle of Xiaoting by the tribal king Shamoke, an ally of Liu Bei.

Modern era depictions

Gan Ning is featured as a playable character in Koei's Dynasty Warriors and Warriors Orochi video game series.

Gan Ning is featured as a playable character in Total War: Three Kingdoms, serving under Liu Biao's faction.

生平

锦帆贼侠

甘宁本是南阳人，先客于巴郡。本为吏使，举为计掾，后为蜀郡丞，不久，弃官回家（可能是因起兵反对刘璋所致，详见下文）。甘宁少年时好游侠，纠集人马，持弓弩，在地方上为非作歹，组成渠师抢夺船只财物，身佩铃铛，衣著华丽，人称「锦帆贼」。当地闻铃响，即知道是甘宁出现。二十多岁时，不再抢劫闹事，开始发愤读书，尤其是《诸子》。

怀才不遇

《蜀志·刘二牧传》引王粲《英雄记》记载说在刘璋初即位之时，荆州别驾刘阖煽动甘宁联合沈弥、娄发起兵造反不敌，投奔到荆州，《资治通鉴》也有记载此事。而《吴志》本传并没有记载，只是说甘宁与手下八百人投到刘表麾下。刘表是儒人，深居南阳不谙军事，甘宁不得重用，后来依附屯守夏口的黄祖，但三年来黄祖不曾以礼相待。孙权进攻夏口时黄祖败走，甘宁为了救主拉弓射杀追击而来的吴将凌操，黄祖虽蒙甘宁相救，仍对甘宁不加重视，黄祖的副将苏飞屡次推荐甘宁皆不被黄祖采纳，甘宁心寒萌生去意，但又认为黄祖不会答应而郁郁寡欢，苏飞非常同情甘宁的际遇，于是宴请甘宁并藉机告诉甘宁愿意帮他逃离此地另谋明主，甘宁欣然同意。后来黄祖接受苏飞提议把甘宁调到位于边境的邾长，甘宁把之前离开的门客招揽回来，得到数百人后直接离开邾长，东进转投孙权帐下。

初露锋芒

周瑜、吕蒙共同推举重用甘宁，孙权采纳二人的举荐，并对甘宁如老臣般亲近。甘宁认为吴国要一统天下必须先灭刘表占荆州，再破刘璋并益州，而一切的起点便是先剿除黄祖，孙权内心深感认同，但张昭反对道：「吴国局面动荡不安，若贸然举大军西征，必然招致大乱。」甘宁反驳道：「国家视君如萧何般将持国重任交给君，君不想想怎么像萧何那样安顿后方却只担心会发生忧乱，那君读古书师法古圣先贤都是学假的？」孙权对举起酒杯附和甘宁说：「兴霸，孤意已决现可进军讨伐，就如孤敬你的这杯酒，决定将这场战事托付给卿，希望卿能好好运筹帷幄，若因此攻克黄祖便算卿首功，不必在意长史（张昭）之言。」孙权于是西进，果然大破黄祖、尽获黄祖旧部，战后孙权加派兵力给甘宁，令他们屯守当地。

知恩图报

孙权破黄祖后，打算斩黄祖、苏飞二人首级入函。苏飞知道后急派人向甘宁求救，甘宁说：「就算苏飞不开口我也会去求情，我岂能忘却当初苏飞之恩？」孙权为诸将设庆功宴时，甘宁来到孙权座席前叩头大哭说：「苏飞昔日对我有恩，当初甘宁若非得苏飞相助，早已不知横尸何处，罔论像现在这样效力于主公麾下。苏飞虽然罪该问斩，但在下斗胆乞求主公饶其性命。」孙权说：「如果依你之言赦免他，但他却叛逃又该当如何？」甘宁说：「主公免去苏飞死罪、让他受更生之恩，就算赶他走他也不愿离开，何况是叛逃呢！若他真逃跑，甘宁愿用人头做担保。」孙权便赦免苏飞，令其担任甘宁手下。

危难自若

建安十三年（208年），赤壁之战中孙刘大败曹军。其后在208年到209年期间，甘宁随周瑜破曹操于乌林。在南郡攻打曹仁，但未能攻取。甘宁提议计策，先径袭夷陵，迫降守将袭肃，之后甘宁往那里进攻随即得到那座城池，并进入沿著那里据守。当时手下只有数百兵卒，就算得到新加入的兵卒，也只不过仅仅满千人。曹仁于是命令五、六千人围甘宁。甘宁连续受到攻击多日，敌军设置高楼，箭如雨下射入城中，众将士惧怕，惟独甘宁谈笑自若。派人将战况通报给周瑜，周瑜采用吕蒙的计策，率诸将解围，留凌统防守本营。

奋勇当先

建安十九年（214年），曹操补充军粮，派庐江太守朱光屯兵皖城耕地种粮。吴将吕蒙认为，在收成之时拿下皖城。孙权采纳吕蒙的建议，但五月时水涨，朱光紧闭城门据守，吕蒙认为以目前的形势环境，要速战速决。吕蒙推举甘宁为攻城督，在前线破城，而吕蒙作为后继，亲自擂鼓助阵。甘宁在攻打时，手持铁索身先士卒爬上城墙，为破城立下大功，并擒获朱光。评计功劳，吕蒙为最，甘宁次之，被拜封为折冲将军。

熊据虎跱

在南郡争夺战后，甘宁跟随鲁肃镇守益阳防备关羽。关羽号称有三万人马，亲自选择五千精锐，投物在上流十馀里水流急速的地方，打算在夜间在水浅的地方渡河。鲁肃与众将相议，甘宁当时有三百兵士，于是说：「可给我增添五百人，让我前往对敌，保证关羽一听到我的名号就不敢渡河，若胆敢渡河将被我生擒。」鲁肃便挑选千馀兵士给甘宁，甘宁于夜间前往。关羽听闻是甘宁领军，发现对方已经做好了防备，就终止了渡河行动。只在岸上砍柴驻军不动，安营扎寨。孙权嘉许甘宁的功绩，拜为西陵太守，领阳新、下雉两个县。

金鼓喧天

建安二十年（215年），随军攻取合肥，刚好遇上病疫，大军都已经引军撤退，只有孙权车下虎士一千多人，还有吕蒙、蒋钦、凌统和甘宁，随孙权到遥津北。魏将张辽观望吴军已经没有大军了，当即率领步骑突然袭击；甘宁便引弓射敌，与凌统等人联手护主死战。原本吹奏的乐队鼓手因惶恐害怕的停止奏乐，甘宁立刻大声严厉喝斥道：「鼓手和吹奏手为何停止敲鼓奏乐了？」随即抽刀欲砍杀鼓手吹奏手的姿态，让其恢复军乐，振奋士气军心。甘宁表现高昂勇壮，得到孙权赞许。

百骑劫营

建安二十二年（217年），曹操亲自进攻濡须口（今安徽巢湖市南），号称步骑四十万，正在江边让马喝水。孙权率七万对抗，使甘宁为前部督领三千人，受命迎战营前的曹军。孙权命书给甘宁，让他夜袭曹军，于是甘宁选手下百馀英勇善战的人。孙权特赐米酒熟肉众佳肴，甘宁分赐给手下百馀人食。吃完过后，甘宁以银碗倒酒，自喝两碗，接著倒酒给当时的都督，都督俯下身，但不肯接受。甘宁把光亮的刀子放在膝上，呵斥都督说：「你受主公的厚恩，你与甘宁相比如何？我甘宁尚不怕死，你何以独自怕死。」都督见甘宁样子严厉，即起身拜谢提酒，所有士兵也各喝一碗。然后天黑二更时，带上百馀人偷袭曹营。拔下曹军鹿角，越垒入营，斩得数十首级，曹军惊讶鸣鼓，举火如星。此时甘宁达到目的，把敌军惊动后，甘宁已经率百骑回到自己的营地，并奏起乐鼓吹，高呼万岁。夜里见孙权，孙权大喜说：「这真是令我惊讶，你竟然有如此的胆略。」即赐甘宁绢千匹，刀百口。孙权感叹道：「曹操有张辽，孤有甘兴霸，足以抵抗。」停军数馀月，曹操军便撤退。

另有一说，宋杰《三国兵争要地与攻守战略研究》根据<甘宁传>将此事记载在建安十九年（214年）其攻破皖城后，认为「曹操军四十万，孙权军七万，甘宁百骑劫营」这些事都发生在217年的濡须口之战而非213年（这样就与《建康实录》记载甘宁215年去世矛盾）。

同年冬，甘宁病逝，孙权痛惜不已，后安葬于姑孰境内的直渎。

亦有载甘宁卒于建安二十四年（219年）后，死后军队才被潘璋接手；孙权曾写信给孙皎调停其和甘宁的矛盾，称自己与北方为敌已经十年，似218年甘宁仍在世；未详孰是。

家庭

祖先

• 甘茂，战国时秦国丞相（据《晋书·甘卓传》记载）。

妻子

• 熊氏，封顺佑夫人，《宋会要缉稿》记载

子女

• 甘瓌，甘宁之子，后来因犯罪被罚迁徙到会稽，不久就死了。

• 甘述，在吴国担任尚书之职。

• 甘瑰，《富池昭勇庙记》记载

• 甘氏，柔懿夫人，《宋会要缉稿》记载

孙

• 甘昌，甘述之子，在吴国担任太子太傅之职。

曾孙

• 甘卓，甘昌之子，东晋初期荆州牧、镇南大将军。

轶事

• 甘宁粗暴好杀戮，经常不听吕蒙意见，又时常违反孙权的命令，让孙权十分生气，吕蒙总对孙权示说：「斗将犹如甘宁实属难得，应该容忍」，于是孙权厚待甘宁，终得其所用。

• 由于甘宁杀死凌操，凌操其子凌统经常仇怨甘宁，因而甘宁经常防备凌统，不与凌统相见。孙权亦命凌统不得仇恨甘宁。曾经在吕蒙的舍上会面，当大家喝酒喝得正香的时候，凌统于是以舞刀来助庆。甘宁见此便说：「宁能以双戟为舞。」吕蒙说：「虽然甘宁可以，但不及我吕蒙精练。」吕蒙于是操刀持盾，以身体把二人分开。后来孙权知道凌统其意，令甘宁和麾下兵士迁徙屯于半州。

• 甘宁曾经与孙权的堂弟孙皎因为喝醉酒言语上有过节，有人劝他道歉，甘宁说：「大臣间应该是平等的，孙皎虽是宗室公子，但怎能让他特别来侮辱我！我遇上明主，只应舍命相报，报答君王，但绝不能因随著风俗而委曲受辱。」于是孙权写信叫孙皎向甘宁道歉，最终两人结为好友。

• 甘宁性情暴躁记仇，《三国志》记载：他的「厨下儿」（厨房的仆人）得罪甘宁，怕被处罚，只好走投吕蒙。吕蒙怕厨下儿被杀，故将厨下儿留下。甘宁就去拜访吕蒙的母亲并致赠礼物，答应吕蒙不杀厨下儿。吕蒙于是将厨下儿送回甘宁处，没想到甘宁立刻失约，将厨下儿绑在桑树上，亲手弯弓射死。吕蒙得知后大怒，扬言要杀甘宁，甘宁知情后在船内赖著不出来。后来吕蒙母亲出来劝解，吕蒙才息怒，于是笑著叫甘宁一起用餐，甘宁哭著对吕蒙说：「我对不起你。」有人怀疑这个故事是时人编造，因其戏剧化成分很重。

评价

• 陈寿《三国志》：「宁虽粗猛好杀，然开爽有计略，轻财敬士，能厚养健儿，健儿亦乐为用命。」「凡此诸将，皆江表之虎臣，孙氏之所厚待也。」

• 韦曜《吴书》：「宁轻侠杀人，藏舍亡命，闻于郡中。其出入，步则陈车骑，水则连轻舟，侍从被文绣，所如光道路，住止常以缯锦维舟，去或割弃，以示奢也。」

• 孙权：「甘兴霸虽粗豪，有不如人意时，然其较略大丈夫也」、「孟德有张辽，孤有甘兴霸，足相敌也。」

• 吕蒙：「天下未定，斗将如宁难得，宜容忍之。」

• 陆机：「甘宁、凌统、程普、贺齐、朱桓、朱然之徒奋其威。」

• 冯时行：「豪杰自不群，俗眼盖盲瞽。刘表既不识，那复论黄祖。翻然脱羁衔，渡江得英主。垂手立功勋，雄名诧千古。」

• 《旧五代史卷五十三李存孝传》：「（李）存孝每临大敌，被重铠橐弓坐槊，仆人以二骑从，阵中易骑，轻捷如飞，独舞铁楇，挺身陷阵，万人辟易，盖古张辽、甘宁之比也。」

• 章如愚：「如程普、黄盖、甘宁、徐盛、潘璋、朱然、朱桓、贺齐、凌统、全琮、吕范，皆智足以御众，勇足以却敌，未有不为守令之职者。」

• 程公许：「蜀将如关、张、庞统，吴将如周瑜、鲁肃，志长命短，天下重惜之。而马超、黄忠、赵云、费禕、吕蒙、程普、步骘、甘宁辈皆智勇绝伦，足以当一面。」

• 刘克庄：「甘宁关羽至今传，名将为神自古然。生不封侯三万户，死犹庙食数千年。」

• 郝经：「程普诸将皆江表虎臣，鏖兵卫主，攻坚轧敌，兴王定霸，孙氏兄弟卒立国建号，诸将之力也。若黄盖之水战而用火攻，能用奇者也；蒋钦之不挟私怨而举徐盛；凌统之亲贤下士轻财重义；陈表倾家养士妻子露立，并有良将之规。甘宁之奢侈、潘璋之不法，权皆容之，许宁报苏飞之恩，不使统复父操之雠，驭将之术也。丁奉恃功而骄，不容于虐主，宜哉！」「吴将剽轻，殆多谲计。莫肯下人，卒自称帝。摩创抚孤，动辄流涕。驾驭有术，驱策有方。果保江东，不负桓王。」

• 罗贯中《三国志通俗演义》：「鼙鼓声喧震地来，吴师到处鬼神哀！百翎直贯曹家寨，尽说甘宁虎将才。」「巴郡甘兴霸，长江锦幔舟。关公不敢渡，曹操镇常忧。劫寨将轻骑，驱兵饮巨瓯。神鸦灵显圣，香火永千秋！」

• 李贽：「观甘宁、凌统不共戴天，一朝改为刎颈之友，乃知世上无不解之仇，只是人不肯先为甘宁耳．吾劝世人勇为甘宁可也。」

• 钟敬伯： 「甘宁、凌统不共戴天之仇，一朝改为一刎颈之友，固丈夫事也。」

• 黄恩彤：「先取荆，次取蜀，兴霸之策与孔明、公瑾略同，亦识时务之俊杰也。」

文艺作品

三国演义

小说《三国演义》中描写的甘宁事迹与史书记载基本相同。唯一不同处，只有最后描写甘宁抱病参与夷陵之战，被蜀国蛮将沙摩柯一箭射中额头，此后逃到一棵大树下坐著死去，死后被数百只乌鸦围绕著。

动漫游戏

• 真三国无双系列 / 无双OROCHI系列（光荣公司开发，原北谷彰基配音，后由三浦祥朗配音）

• 三国演义

• 《横山光辉三国志》（横山光辉）

• 《苍天航路》（王欣太）

• 《火凤燎原》（陈某）、《火凤燎原》外传小说《伯符》（王贻兴）:在襄阳之战中在袁术的手下无名军师的计算下射杀孙坚，箭术承于黄忠，于孙策下皖城时登场,后杀害伪装成孙策之凌操，更和残兵成员小孟比试箭术，因于黄祖军中不受重用，在庞统游说下投靠孙权，在赤壁之战中和张辽打至平手。

• 《异乡之草三国志连作集》

影视作品

后世影响

• 宋代时，甘宁被封为神祇，南宋时更加封「昭毅武惠遗爱灵显王」，得以建庙享祭，在一些小说作品中被称为「吴王」。其庙前聚集的乌鸦都被称为「神鸦」。如蒲松龄《聊斋志异》中的「竹青」故事。

• 在《三国演义》极受欢迎的日本，甘宁普遍被视作豪迈的勇将，备受青睐。