Ling Tong

Ling Tong (189 – 237 or 217) was a military general of the state of Eastern Wu during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He started his service to the Sun family since his childhood, and throughout his entire life, he had been contributing to the foundation and solidification of Eastern Wu. He had participated in many campaigns, including those against Huang Zu, Liu Bei, and the Shanyue barbarians. But his most noted performance would lie with those against the rival state of Cao Wei, in which he displayed great skills under extremely adverse situation.

Besides being a military general, Ling Tong was highly praised by the scholars for his gracious demeanour, bonhomie and generosity. 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 (which was a rare case in the chaotic world he lived). He acted as a strategist after he returned from the frontline, and drastically changed the way Eastern Wu used to deal with the Shanyue tribes and successfully recruited over 10,000 strong army from the Shanyue through impressing them with a show of might and potential rewards (Ling Tong's strategy would be adopted and modified by Zhuge Ke later). He was also well known for his integrity and loyalty; he, along with Lü Meng, were the most valued generals of Sun Quan.