Gan Ning was a bandit from Lin Jiang who lived from 175 to about 218, during the Three Kingdoms Period. He fought against the Sun clan of Wu under Huang Zu, but was then persuaded by the family to join the ranks of Wu as a ranking general.

In his youth, It was said that Gan Ning loved masuo (Chinese wine) and loved being in battle.

In the novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms (San Guo Yan Yi) written by Luo Guanzhong, the death of this warrior came about from a lesser Shu general known as Shamoke. Shamoke killed him with an arrow straight into the back of his head as he was fleeing, for he was suffering from dysentery. He was then avenged by Zhou Tai, a master swordsman who also served Wu.

In history, however, Gan Ning died of illness.