| Ling Tong | |
 | |
| Force(s): | Wu |
|---|---|
| Significant Battle(s): | Battle of Xia Kou
Battle of Chi Bi Battle of Hefei Battle of Yi Ling Battle of Shi Ting Battle of He Fei Castle |
| Real name: | Ling Tong |
| Chinese name: | 凌統 |
| Style name: | Gongji
|
| Chinese name: | 公績
|
| Born: | 189 |
| Died: | 237 |
Ling Tong was a Wu general.
Biography
Ling Tong was born in Wujun, Yang Province, to Sun Jian's general Ling Cao. At the age of fourteen he witnessed his father die at the hands of Huang Zu's general Gan Ning in AD 203 at Xia Kou. This started a horrible relationship between the two commanders, and things grew intense when Sun Quan allowed Gan Ning to serve under Wu at the behest of Su Fei. Ling Tong and Gan Ning always had contests to prove who was better, and neither wanted to cooperate with one another. For instance, at Chi Bi, Gan Ning was given the forefront while Ling Tong, less experienced, was sent to defend the rear. Gan Ning became the center of attention for his army, leaving Ling Tong jealous. Things changed at the Battle of He Fei in AD 215~AD 217. Gan Ning, Ling Tong, and Lu Meng were among 100,000 troops led by Sun Quan himself. Ling Tong and Gan Ning had a challenge where whoever could bag the most Wei troops would have the other person leave the army. Gan Ning won, but their challenge was put off when Zhang Liao ambushed the Wu army. Gan Ning was sent to Xiao Yao Ford to attack across the Yangtze River and defeat the enemy under Li Dian, while Ling Tong remained in the main force with Lu Meng. In AD 217, after two years of fighting in He Fei, Ling Tong was attacked by Cao Xiu at Ru Xu Kou. Cao Xiu fitted an arrow into his bow, and when it twanged, it unhorsed him. Trapped, he was charged at by the fearsome Yue Jin. However, Gan Ning fired an arrow into the Wei general's face, contorting it and killing him. Ling Tong was grateful for him saving his life, and the two swore an oath of friendship. In AD 219, the Lord Strategist of Wu, Lu Meng, fell in battle at Fan Castle with the enemy general Guan Yu dead at his feet. Ling Tong became a strategist with the advent of the battle at Yi Ling, a candidate for Lord Strategist, and advised for Sun Quan to attack the fatigued Shu army before they could attack. However, he was incomparable with Lu Xun, and Lu Xun was given the seal of Lord Strategist. Ling Tong remained sidelined throughout Wu's campaign against Shu and Wei's invasion in AD 222, but reemerged as a commander at Shiting in AD 228 when he attacked Cao Xiu at Wan Castle, and scored a victory. He participated in the invasion of Wei in AD 233 and the next year at He Fei Castle, but had a minor role and died in AD 237.