Huang Gai was one of the founding generals of Eastern Wu, serving under Sun Jian, Sun Ce, and Sun Quan. He was known for his immense bravery and was highly respected by both soldiers and his lords.
At the Battle of Red Cliffs, when the allied forces were facing Cao Cao's massive fleet, Huang Gai proposed a 'fire attack' plan. To get the fire ships close enough to the suspicious Cao Cao, he and Zhou Yu devised the 'flesh-wounding stratagem' (Goyukjigye).
During a public meeting, Huang Gai pretended to insult Zhou Yu, who then ordered him to be brutally beaten with rods. News of the conflict between the commander and the veteran general reached Cao Cao's ears, making the later 'fake surrender' far more believable.
As he led the small fleet toward Cao Cao's ships, the wind turned into the necessary southeastern direction. Huang Gai set his ships on fire and crashed them into the enemy fleet. Although he was wounded during the chaotic battle, he was rescued and continued to serve Wu until his death from natural causes.