Character Profile: Ling Tong 凌統
| Pinyin Name: | Líng Tǒng / Ling2 Tong3 |  |
|---|---|---|
| Wade-Giles Name: | Ling T'ung | |
| Pronunciation (Yale): | Ling Tung | |
| Hanzi/Kanji Name: |  |
|
| Japanese Name: | Ryoutou | |
| Style Name: |
|
|
| A.K.A: | none | |
| Lifespan: | 189-237 A.D. | |
| Allegiance: | Wu | |
| Relations: |
|
|
| Voice Actors: |
|
|
| First appeared in: | Dynasty Warriors 5 |
Biography based on the novel
Ling Tong from Yu Hang in Wu was a kind man who treated his men well and cherished his friends and family.
The Lings join Sun Ce
When Ling Tong was about nine years old, Sun Ce forced Yan Baihu out of the Wu territory. Fleeing east, Yan Baihu looted villages along his way, until Ling Cao, Ling Tong's father, led a band of villagers against the plunderer, who fled for Kuai Ji instead. Ling Cao brought his son with him to see Sun Ce, who rewarded both and took them into his army.
Ling Cao's death
After Sun Ce's death, the Lings continued to serve Wu. In 208 A.D., Sun Quan launched an attack on Huang Zu at Xia Kou. Ling Cao, leading the advance, was shot down by Gan Ning, then a general under Huang Zu. Ling Tong, only fifteen years old, recovered his father's body at great risk, and Sun Quan's forces retreated. Shortly after, Gan Ning defected to Wu and slew Huang Zu. At the banquet in Gan Ning's honor, Ling Tong drew a sword and went after him — Gan Ning managed to defend himself with a chair, and Sun Quan himself intervened. Ling Tong begged to have justice, but Sun Quan urged him to set aside the feud for Wu's sake, as Gan Ning had only been doing his duty for his previous lord. Sun Quan sent Gan Ning to Xia Kou to keep him safe, and tried to appease Ling Tong with a promotion.
War against Cao Cao in He Fei
Ling Tong participated in the battle of Chi Bi, pursued Cao Cao afterwards, and was also active in Zhou Yu's campaign to take the Nan territory. In 215 Sun Quan summoned his help to attack He Fei. At the officers' banquet, Lu Meng honored Gan Ning's recent exploits; seething, Ling Tong got up to perform a sword dance, intending to kill Gan Ning. Ning realized his peril and jumped up to join the dance with a halberd under each arm. To keep the two of them from killing each other, Lu Meng joined in with a sword and shield, driving them apart. Sun Quan hurried to the banquet and chastised Ling Tong for remaining resentful. He asked them both, once again, to put aside their differences.
After the banquet, the Wu army marched on He Fei. Yue Jin drew Gan Ning and Lu Meng away from Sun Quan, leaving him open to be flanked by Zhang Liao and Li Dian. Ling Tong urged his lord to escape over the Xiao Shi bridge, and with only 300 riders against thousands, he held off the Wei army long enough for Sun Quan to escape. Badly wounded, Ling Tong fled alone along the river until Sun Quan spotted him and sent over Dong Xi to rescue him. He was richly rewarded for his efforts.
Gan Ning saves Ling Tong's life
When Cao Cao marched from Han Zhong to relieve He Fei, Ling Tong and Gan Ning quarreled over who should go after him. Sun Quan allowed Ling Tong to go, but he was unable to exact a clear victory, and had to be pulled back. Gan Ning again asked to go, and his raid on Cao Cao's camp with a mere one hundred warriors was a stunning success. Jealous, Ling Tong took to the field again and dueled Yue Jin. The two were evenly matched, so Cao Cao bade Cao Xiu to shoot an arrow at Ling Tong. The arrow hit his steed, and Ling Tong was thrown — Yue Jin was about to finish him off when Gan Ning shot him in the face with an arrow of his own. Surprised Gan Ning had saved his life, Ling Tong finally set aside his grudge, and the two of them swore eternal friendship.
Death
Ling Tong is last mentioned in the novel during the battle of Yi Ling. According to the San Guo Zhi, Ling Tong died of natural causes when he was 48 years old.
Novel Chapters
- First mention — Ling Cao and his son join Sun Ce
- Gan Ning kills Ling Cao; Ling Tong recovers his body
- Gan Ning joins Sun Quan
- Zhou Yu loses Nan Jun
- Ling Tong again tries to slay Gan Ning; battle at He Fei
- Gan Ning saves Ling Tong's life
Last updated: 17 April 2008.