Early life

Gan Ning was from Linjiang County (臨江縣), 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 (劉闔), an official from the neighbouring Jing Province (covering present-day Hubei and Hunan), and Liu Zhang's subordinates Shen Mi (沈彌) and Lou Fa (婁發). 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 (蘇飛), 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 (邾縣; 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 (當口).

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 (趙韙), 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 (荊州) 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 (蘇飛). 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 (烏林). 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 (長沙), Lingling (零陵; around present-day Yongzhou, Hunan) and Guiyang (桂陽; 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' (關羽瀨).

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 (陽新) 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 (皖縣; 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 (折衝將軍).

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 (逍遙津) 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 (濡須). 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 (尚書) 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 (鎮南大將軍) and Governor of Jing Province (荊州牧) 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

錦帆賊俠

甘寧本是南陽人，先客於巴郡。本為吏使，舉為計掾，後為蜀郡丞，不久，棄官回家（可能是因起兵反對劉璋所致，詳見下文）。甘寧少年時好遊俠，糾集人馬，持弓弩，在地方上為非作歹，組成渠師搶奪船隻財物，身佩鈴鐺，衣著華麗，人稱「錦帆賊」。當地聞鈴響，即知道是甘寧出現。二十多歲時，不再搶劫鬧事，開始發憤讀書，尤其是《諸子》。

懷才不遇

《蜀志·劉二牧傳》引王粲《英雄記》記載說在劉璋初即位之時，荊州別駕劉闔煽動甘寧聯合沈彌、婁發起兵造反不敵，投奔到荊州，《資治通鑑》也有記載此事。而《吳志》本傳並沒有記載，只是說甘寧與手下八百人投到劉表麾下。劉表是儒人，深居南陽不諳軍事，甘寧不得重用，後來依附屯守夏口的黃祖，但三年來黃祖不曾以禮相待。孫權進攻夏口時黃祖敗走，甘寧為了救主拉弓射殺追擊而來的吳將凌操，黃祖雖蒙甘寧相救，仍對甘寧不加重視，黃祖的副將蘇飛屢次推薦甘寧皆不被黃祖採納，甘寧心寒萌生去意，但又認為黃祖不會答應而鬱鬱寡歡，蘇飛非常同情甘寧的際遇，於是宴請甘寧並藉機告訴甘寧願意幫他逃離此地另謀明主，甘寧欣然同意。後來黃祖接受蘇飛提議把甘寧調到位於邊境的邾長，甘寧把之前離開的門客招攬回來，得到數百人後直接離開邾長，東進轉投孫權帳下。

初露鋒芒

周瑜、呂蒙共同推舉重用甘寧，孫權採納二人的舉薦，並對甘寧如老臣般親近。甘寧認為吳國要一統天下必須先滅劉表佔荊州，再破劉璋併益州，而一切的起點便是先剿除黃祖，孫權內心深感認同，但張昭反對道：「吳國局面動盪不安，若貿然舉大軍西征，必然招致大亂。」甘寧反駁道：「國家視君如蕭何般將持國重任交給君，君不想想怎麼像蕭何那樣安頓後方卻只擔心會發生憂亂，那君讀古書師法古聖先賢都是學假的？」孫權對舉起酒杯附和甘寧說：「興霸，孤意已決現可進軍討伐，就如孤敬你的這杯酒，決定將這場戰事託付給卿，希望卿能好好運籌帷幄，若因此攻克黃祖便算卿首功，不必在意長史（張昭）之言。」孫權於是西進，果然大破黃祖、盡獲黃祖舊部，戰後孫權加派兵力給甘寧，令他們屯守當地。

知恩圖報

孫權破黃祖後，打算斬黃祖、蘇飛二人首級入函。蘇飛知道後急派人向甘寧求救，甘寧說：「就算蘇飛不開口我也會去求情，我豈能忘卻當初蘇飛之恩？」孫權為諸將設慶功宴時，甘寧來到孫權座席前叩頭大哭說：「蘇飛昔日對我有恩，當初甘寧若非得蘇飛相助，早已不知橫屍何處，罔論像現在這樣效力於主公麾下。蘇飛雖然罪該問斬，但在下斗膽乞求主公饒其性命。」孫權說：「如果依你之言赦免他，但他卻叛逃又該當如何？」甘寧說：「主公免去蘇飛死罪、讓他受更生之恩，就算趕他走他也不願離開，何況是叛逃呢！若他真逃跑，甘寧願用人頭做擔保。」孫權便赦免蘇飛，令其擔任甘寧手下。

危難自若

建安十三年（208年），赤壁之戰中孫劉大敗曹軍。其後在208年到209年期間，甘寧隨周瑜破曹操於烏林。在南郡攻打曹仁，但未能攻取。甘寧提議計策，先徑襲夷陵，迫降守將襲肅，之後甘寧往那裡進攻隨即得到那座城池，並進入沿著那裡據守。當時手下只有數百兵卒，就算得到新加入的兵卒，也只不過僅僅滿千人。曹仁於是命令五、六千人圍甘寧。甘寧連續受到攻擊多日，敵軍設置高樓，箭如雨下射入城中，眾將士懼怕，惟獨甘寧談笑自若。派人將戰況通報給周瑜，周瑜採用呂蒙的計策，率諸將解圍，留凌統防守本營。

奮勇當先

建安十九年（214年），曹操補充軍糧，派廬江太守朱光屯兵皖城耕地種糧。吳將呂蒙認為，在收成之時拿下皖城。孫權採納呂蒙的建議，但五月時水漲，朱光緊閉城門據守，呂蒙認為以目前的形勢環境，要速戰速決。呂蒙推舉甘寧為攻城督，在前線破城，而呂蒙作為後繼，親自擂鼓助陣。甘寧在攻打時，手持鐵索身先士卒爬上城牆，為破城立下大功，並擒獲朱光。評計功勞，呂蒙為最，甘寧次之，被拜封為折衝將軍。

熊據虎跱

在南郡爭奪戰後，甘寧跟隨魯肅鎮守益陽防備關羽。關羽號稱有三萬人馬，親自選擇五千精銳，投物在上流十餘里水流急速的地方，打算在夜間在水淺的地方渡河。魯肅與眾將相議，甘寧當時有三百兵士，於是說：「可給我增添五百人，讓我前往對敵，保證關羽一聽到我的名號就不敢渡河，若膽敢渡河將被我生擒。」魯肅便挑選千餘兵士給甘寧，甘寧於夜間前往。關羽聽聞是甘寧領軍，發現對方已經做好了防備，就終止了渡河行動。只在岸上砍柴駐軍不動，安營紮寨。孫權嘉許甘寧的功績，拜為西陵太守，領陽新、下雉兩個縣。

金鼓喧天

建安二十年（215年），隨軍攻取合肥，剛好遇上病疫，大軍都已經引軍撤退，只有孫權車下虎士一千多人，還有呂蒙、蔣欽、凌統和甘寧，隨孫權到遙津北。魏將張遼觀望吳軍已經沒有大軍了，當即率領步騎突然襲擊；甘寧便引弓射敵，與凌統等人聯手護主死戰。原本吹奏的樂隊鼓手因惶恐害怕的停止奏樂，甘寧立刻大聲嚴厲喝斥道：「鼓手和吹奏手為何停止敲鼓奏樂了？」隨即抽刀欲砍殺鼓手吹奏手的姿態，讓其恢復軍樂，振奮士氣軍心。甘寧表現高昂勇壯，得到孫權讚許。

百騎劫營

建安二十二年（217年），曹操親自進攻濡須口（今安徽巢湖市南），號稱步騎四十萬，正在江邊讓馬喝水。孫權率七萬對抗，使甘寧為前部督領三千人，受命迎戰營前的曹軍。孫權命書給甘寧，讓他夜襲曹軍，於是甘寧選手下百餘英勇善戰的人。孫權特賜米酒熟肉眾佳餚，甘寧分賜給手下百餘人食。吃完過後，甘寧以銀碗倒酒，自喝兩碗，接著倒酒給當時的都督，都督俯下身，但不肯接受。甘寧把光亮的刀子放在膝上，呵斥都督說：「你受主公的厚恩，你與甘寧相比如何？我甘寧尚不怕死，你何以獨自怕死。」都督見甘寧樣子嚴厲，即起身拜謝提酒，所有士兵也各喝一碗。然後天黑二更時，帶上百餘人偷襲曹營。拔下曹軍鹿角，越壘入營，斬得數十首級，曹軍驚訝鳴鼓，舉火如星。此時甘寧達到目的，把敵軍驚動後，甘寧已經率百騎回到自己的營地，並奏起樂鼓吹，高呼萬歲。夜裡見孫權，孫權大喜說：「這真是令我驚訝，你竟然有如此的膽略。」即賜甘寧絹千匹，刀百口。孫權感嘆道：「曹操有張遼，孤有甘興霸，足以抵抗。」停軍數餘月，曹操軍便撤退。

另有一說，宋傑《三國兵爭要地與攻守戰略研究》根據<甘寧傳>將此事記載在建安十九年（214年）其攻破皖城後，認為「曹操軍四十萬，孫權軍七萬，甘寧百騎劫營」這些事都發生在217年的濡須口之戰而非213年（這樣就與《建康實錄》記載甘寧215年去世矛盾）。

同年冬，甘寧病逝，孫權痛惜不已，後安葬於姑孰境內的直瀆。

亦有載甘寧卒于建安二十四年（219年）後，死後軍隊才被潘璋接手；孫權曾寫信給孫皎調停其和甘寧的矛盾，稱自己與北方為敵已經十年，似218年甘寧仍在世；未詳孰是。

家庭

祖先

• 甘茂，戰國時秦國丞相（據《晉書·甘卓傳》記載）。

妻子

• 熊氏，封順佑夫人，《宋會要緝稿》記載

子女

• 甘瓌，甘寧之子，後來因犯罪被罰遷徙到會稽，不久就死了。

• 甘述，在吳國擔任尚書之職。

• 甘瑰，《富池昭勇廟記》記載

• 甘氏，柔懿夫人，《宋會要緝稿》記載

孫

• 甘昌，甘述之子，在吳國擔任太子太傅之職。

曾孫

• 甘卓，甘昌之子，東晉初期荊州牧、鎮南大將軍。

軼事

• 甘寧粗暴好殺戮，經常不聽呂蒙意見，又時常違反孫權的命令，讓孫權十分生氣，呂蒙總對孫權示說：「鬥將猶如甘寧實屬難得，應該容忍」，於是孫權厚待甘寧，終得其所用。

• 由于甘寧殺死凌操，凌操其子凌統經常仇怨甘寧，因而甘寧經常防備凌統，不與凌統相見。孫權亦命凌統不得仇恨甘寧。曾經在呂蒙的舍上會面，當大家喝酒喝得正香的時候，凌統於是以舞刀來助慶。甘寧見此便說：「寧能以雙戟為舞。」呂蒙說：「雖然甘寧可以，但不及我呂蒙精練。」呂蒙於是操刀持盾，以身體把二人分開。後來孫權知道凌統其意，令甘寧和麾下兵士遷徙屯於半州。

• 甘寧曾經與孫權的堂弟孫皎因為喝醉酒言語上有過節，有人勸他道歉，甘寧說：「大臣間應該是平等的，孫皎雖是宗室公子，但怎能讓他特別來侮辱我！我遇上明主，只應捨命相報，報答君王，但絕不能因隨著風俗而委曲受辱。」於是孫權寫信叫孫皎向甘寧道歉，最終兩人結為好友。

• 甘寧性情暴躁記仇，《三國志》記載：他的「廚下兒」（廚房的僕人）得罪甘寧，怕被處罰，只好走投呂蒙。呂蒙怕廚下兒被殺，故將廚下兒留下。甘寧就去拜訪呂蒙的母親並致贈禮物，答應呂蒙不殺廚下兒。呂蒙於是將廚下兒送回甘寧處，沒想到甘寧立刻失約，將廚下兒綁在桑樹上，親手彎弓射死。呂蒙得知後大怒，揚言要殺甘寧，甘寧知情後在船內賴著不出來。後來呂蒙母親出來勸解，呂蒙才息怒，於是笑著叫甘寧一起用餐，甘寧哭著對呂蒙說：「我對不起你。」有人懷疑這個故事是時人編造，因其戲劇化成分很重。

評價

• 陳壽《三國志》：「寧雖粗猛好殺，然開爽有計略，輕財敬士，能厚養健兒，健兒亦樂為用命。」「凡此諸將，皆江表之虎臣，孫氏之所厚待也。」

• 韋曜《吳書》：「寧輕俠殺人，藏舍亡命，聞於郡中。其出入，步則陳車騎，水則連輕舟，侍從被文繡，所如光道路，住止常以繒錦維舟，去或割棄，以示奢也。」

• 孫權：「甘興霸雖粗豪，有不如人意時，然其較略大丈夫也」、「孟德有張遼，孤有甘興霸，足相敵也。」

• 呂蒙：「天下未定，鬥將如寧難得，宜容忍之。」

• 陸機：「甘寧、凌統、程普、賀齊、朱桓、朱然之徒奮其威。」

• 馮時行：「豪傑自不群，俗眼蓋盲瞽。劉表既不識，那複論黃祖。翻然脫羈銜，渡江得英主。垂手立功勳，雄名詫千古。」

• 《舊五代史卷五十三李存孝傳》：「（李）存孝每臨大敵，被重鎧橐弓坐槊，僕人以二騎從，陣中易騎，輕捷如飛，獨舞鐵楇，挺身陷陣，萬人闢易，蓋古張遼、甘寧之比也。」

• 章如愚：「如程普、黃蓋、甘寧、徐盛、潘璋、朱然、朱桓、賀齊、凌統、全琮、呂范，皆智足以御眾，勇足以卻敵，未有不為守令之職者。」

• 程公許：「蜀將如關、張、龐統，吳將如周瑜、魯肅，志長命短，天下重惜之。而馬超、黃忠、趙雲、費禕、呂蒙、程普、步騭、甘寧輩皆智勇絕倫，足以當一面。」

• 劉克莊：「甘寧關羽至今傳，名將為神自古然。生不封侯三萬戶，死猶廟食數千年。」

• 郝經：「程普諸將皆江表虎臣，鏖兵衛主，攻堅軋敵，興王定霸，孫氏兄弟卒立國建號，諸將之力也。若黃蓋之水戰而用火攻，能用奇者也；蔣欽之不挾私怨而舉徐盛；凌統之親賢下士輕財重義；陳表傾家養士妻子露立，並有良將之規。甘寧之奢侈、潘璋之不法，權皆容之，許寧報蘇飛之恩，不使統複父操之讎，馭將之術也。丁奉恃功而驕，不容于虐主，宜哉！」「吳將剽輕，殆多譎計。莫肯下人，卒自稱帝。摩創撫孤，動輒流涕。駕馭有術，驅策有方。果保江東，不負桓王。」

• 羅貫中《三國志通俗演義》：「鼙鼓聲喧震地來，吳師到處鬼神哀！百翎直貫曹家寨，盡說甘寧虎將才。」「巴郡甘興霸，長江錦幔舟。關公不敢渡，曹操鎮常憂。劫寨將輕騎，驅兵飲巨甌。神鴉靈顯聖，香火永千秋！」

• 李贄：「觀甘寧、凌統不共戴天，一朝改為刎頸之友，乃知世上無不解之仇，只是人不肯先為甘寧耳．吾勸世人勇為甘寧可也。」

• 鐘敬伯： 「甘寧、凌統不共戴天之仇，一朝改為一刎頸之友，固丈夫事也。」

• 黃恩彤：「先取荊，次取蜀，興霸之策與孔明、公瑾略同，亦識時務之俊傑也。」

文藝作品

三國演義

小說《三國演義》中描寫的甘寧事蹟與史書記載基本相同。唯一不同處，只有最後描寫甘寧抱病參與夷陵之戰，被蜀國蠻將沙摩柯一箭射中額頭，此後逃到一棵大樹下坐著死去，死後被數百隻烏鴉圍繞著。

動漫遊戲

• 真三國無雙系列 / 無雙OROCHI系列（光榮公司開發，原北谷彰基配音，後由三浦祥朗配音）

• 三國演義

• 《橫山光輝三國志》（橫山光輝）

• 《蒼天航路》（王欣太）

• 《火鳳燎原》（陳某）、《火鳳燎原》外傳小說《伯符》（王貽興）:在襄陽之戰中在袁術的手下無名軍師的計算下射殺孫堅，箭術承於黃忠，於孫策下皖城時登場,後殺害偽裝成孫策之凌操，更和殘兵成員小孟比試箭術，因於黃祖軍中不受重用，在龐統遊說下投靠孫權，在赤壁之戰中和張遼打至平手。

• 《異鄉之草三國志連作集》

影視作品

後世影響

• 宋代時，甘寧被封為神祇，南宋時更加封「昭毅武惠遺愛靈顯王」，得以建廟享祭，在一些小說作品中被稱為「吳王」。其廟前聚集的烏鴉都被稱為「神鴉」。如蒲松齡《聊齋誌異》中的「竹青」故事。

• 在《三國演義》極受歡迎的日本，甘寧普遍被視作豪邁的勇將，備受青睞。