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}} Ling Tong (189–217),〔Ling Tong's biography in the ''Sanguozhi'' claimed that he died at the age of 49 (by East Asian age reckoning). (from ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 55: (... 會病卒，時年四十九。) ) However, Lu Bi's book ''Sanguozhi jijie'' (三國誌集解; ''Explanatory Commentary to the Records of the Three Kingdoms'') and Liang Zhangju's book ''Sanguozhi pangzheng'' (三國志旁證; ''Circumstantial Evidence on the Records of the Three Kingdoms'') pointed out that there was an error with the number '49' and that it should be '29' instead. According to Luo Tong's biography in the ''Sanguozhi'', Luo took over Ling Tong's military post after Ling's death and he participated in the Battle of Xiaoting in 222 later. (from: ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 57: (及凌統死，復領其兵。 ... 以隨陸遜破蜀軍於宜都， ...) ) This statement did not quite match what was written in Ling Tong's biography, because Ling's biography did not say much about what Ling did after the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford in 215. If he was involved in the Battle of Xiaoting, which was one of the major battles in that era, his participation would most certainly be mentioned in his biography. Besides, Ling Tong's biography also stated that Ling's sons were still very young when their father died. Lu Bi and Liang Zhangju believed that it was more likely that Ling Tong died at the age of 29 (by East Asian age reckoning) in 217 than at the age of 49 in 237.〕 courtesy name Gongji, was a military general serving under the warlord Sun Quan in the late Eastern Han dynasty. He started his service under Sun Quan when he was still a teenager and, throughout his entire life, had been contributing to the foundation and solidification of the state of Eastern Wu, which was founded by Sun Quan in 229. He fought in numerous battles for his lord, including those against Huang Zu, Liu Bei and the Shanyue tribes, but is best known for his performance in the campaigns against Sun Quan's rival Cao Cao, in which he displayed great skill in extremely adverse situations. Ling Tong was more than just a military serviceman – he received high praise from the scholar-gentry for his gracious demeanour, bonhomie and generosity.〔(雖在軍旅，親賢接士，輕財重義，有國士之風。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 55.〕 Even though he had achieved fame and glory when he visited his hometown later in his life, he still treated commoners with utmost respect and humanity.〔(統素愛士，士亦慕焉。得精兵萬餘人，過本縣，步入寺門，見長吏懷三版，恭敬盡禮，親舊故人，恩意益隆。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 55.〕 Behind the frontline, Ling Tong conceived a strategy for dealing with and pacifying the Shanyue tribes – impressing them with a show of military might and offering them potential rewards – which led to the Wu government successfully recruiting over 10,000 Shanyue soldiers into their army and maintaining relative stability in the region. Ling Tong was also known for his integrity and loyalty; he, along with Lü Meng, were among the most valued generals of Sun Quan.〔(自創業功臣疾病，權意之所鍾，呂蒙、凌統最重，然其次矣。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 56.〕 ==Early life== Ling Tong was from Yuhang County (餘杭縣), Wu Commandery (吳郡), which is in present-day Yuhang District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang. His father, Ling Cao, was a military officer serving under the warlord Sun Ce. Ling Cao held the rank of "Colonel Who Defeats Bandits" (破賊校尉) and continued serving Sun Quan after Sun Ce's death in 200 CE. In 204, Sun Quan attacked Huang Zu, the Administrator (太守) of Jiangxia (江夏; around present-day Yunmeng County, Xiaogan, Hubei), a commandery on the eastern border of Jing Province. During the ensuing Battle of Xiakou, Ling Cao sailed alone a distance ahead on a small boat to infiltrate the enemy formation. Huang Zu abandoned his position and fled. Ling Cao was killed in the midst of battle by a stray arrow fired by Huang's subordinate, Gan Ning.〔(凌統字公績，吳郡餘杭人也。 ... 父操，輕俠有膽氣，孫策初興，每從征伐，常冠軍履鋒。守永平長，平治山越，姦猾斂手，遷破賊校尉。及權統軍，從討江夏。入夏口，先登，破其前鋒，輕舟獨進，中流矢死。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 55.〕 Ling Tong was 15 when his father died. Sun Quan appointed Ling Tong as a "Major of Separate Command" (別部司馬) in consideration of the fact that Ling Cao died for the Sun family. As many spoke well of Ling Tong's ability, the teenage Ling was allowed to inherit his father's post, as acting-"Colonel Who Defeats Bandits", and assume command of the troops which used to be led by his father.〔(統年十五，左右多稱述者，權亦以操死國事，拜統別部司馬，行破賊都尉，使攝父兵。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 55.〕 Ling Tong participated in a campaign against bandits in the hilly regions of Wu. Sun Quan's main force captured the enemy garrison at Bao (保) and left behind 10,000 men under the command of Ling Tong and Zhang Yi (張異) to lay siege to the garrison at Ma (麻). The day before the battle, Ling Tong and Chen Qin (陳勤) attended a banquet together. Chen Qin was in charge of ceremonial duties during the banquet, but he abused his powers and went against the rules. Ling Tong was upset by Chen Qin's insolence so he confronted him. In anger, Chen Qin hurled abuse at Ling Tong and even insulted Ling's late father. Ling Tong was in tears but he refrained himself and did not respond to the acrimony.〔(後從擊山賊，權破保屯先還，餘麻屯萬人，統與督張異等留攻圍之，克日當攻。先期，統與督陳勤會飲酒，勤剛勇任氣，因督祭酒，陵轢一坐，舉罰不以其道。統疾其侮慢，靣折不為用。勤怒詈統，及其父操，統流涕不荅，衆因罷出。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 55.〕 After the banquet, Chen Qin, who was drunk, insulted Ling Tong again on the road. Unable to tolerate further swearword, Ling Tong injured Chen Qin with his sword. Chen Qin died a few days later. The next day, before the battle, Ling Tong exclaimed, "Only through death can my transgression be cleansed!" He charged ahead of his troops during the battle in the face of enemy arrows and boulders. The side of the garrison which Ling Tong's army attacked fell immediately. The other commanders were roused by his victory and together they inflicted a crushing defeat on the enemy. After returning from the battle, Ling Tong bound himself and surrendered to the disciplinary officer. Sun Quan was impressed with Ling Tong's strong determination and pardoned him for insubordination in consideration of his contributions.〔(勤乘酒凶悖，又於道路辱統。統不忍，引刀斫勤，數日乃死。及當攻屯，統曰：「非死無以謝罪。」乃率厲士卒，身當矢石，所次一靣，應時披壞，諸將乘勝，遂大破之。還，自拘於軍正。權壯其果毅，使得以功贖罪。) ''Sanguozhi'' vol. 55.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Ling Tong」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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