Ling Cao

Ling Cao
Character Information
Force(s):	Sun Ce's Forces Sun Quan's Forces
Weapon Type:	Spear (4~5) Sword (6) Club (7) Great sword (8) Pike (Blast)
Unit Type:	Hero (4~6) Warrior (7~8)
Significant Battle(s):	Xiakou
First Appearance:	Dynasty Warriors 4
Historical Information
Real name:	Líng Cāo
Chinese name:	凌操
Style name:	unknown
Chinese name:	n/a
Born:	?
Died:	203

Ling Cao (onyomi: Ryō Sō) is the father of Ling Tong and a warrior who fought for the Sun family. At the Battle of Xiakou he led a naval force to attack Huang Zu but was killed with an arrow shot by Gan Ning.

He placed fifteenth with fans in Gamecity's Shin Sangoku Musou Blast first card promotion poll.

Role in Games

In the Dynasty Warriors series, both father and son fight together on the field during Sun Ce's early campaigns. When Huang Zu tries to flee in the fourth title, Ling Cao pursues him by himself, leading him straight to Gan Ning. He can be saved during this title; in Dynasty Warriors 5, however, he inevitably dies due to Gan Ning's ambush. Ling Tong bitterly tries to avenge him, swearing to kill his father's murderer. While it is still one of Ling Tong's motivations for disliking Gan Ning, his death is given a passing mention in the newest titles.

In Dynasty Warriors 7 before the Battle of Xiakou, Ling Tong mistakenly said that his father served under Huang Zu in the English Dub before being killed by Gan Ning, when he actually was killed in this battle.

In Dynasty Warriors: Origins, he is one of the new recruits that join Sun Ce's forces as he consolidated the lands of Wu for himself. After Sun Ce's passing, he and Ling Tong are tasked with leading a special task force to sail behind Huang Zu's castle while the bulk of the army would engage his forces from the front. While the pair succeed in forcing Huang Zu to retreat, Gan Ning suddenly arrives and slays Ling Cao before he can mount a pursuit. Because of a local Shanyue rebellion at home, Sun Quan's forces are forced to pull back after Ling Cao's defeat.

In Warriors Orochi, Ling Cao serves as Ling Tong's replacement officer when players assume his son's role. During the sequel, he is among those sent by Wu to aid the Shu forces against Lu Bu, eventually becoming Lu Xun's substitute at Odani Castle. Ling Cao is one of the objectives to successfully complete the surprise attack during Gan Ning's dream stage. He is alarmed by the trio's presence and has to be quickly silenced.

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Ling Cao is depicted as an able military general with leadership and war ranging in the 70's to low 80's while his other stats are fairly poor. Found in earlier scenarios as a free officer in Wu, Ling Cao like several of Sun Ce and Sun Quan's military officers is very capable when fighting on water, but is also very prone to falling for enemy plots or recklessly engaging enemy units at the first point of contact.

Voice Actors

• Yūsuke Hoshino - Sangokushi Hadou (Japanese)

Quotes

• "You will not escape, Huang Zu!"
• "Argh! Killed... by lowly pirates..."

~~Dynasty Warriors 5

• "Oh, it's you. Did you want to talk to me about something?"

"No, I just have a bit of advice for you. Father, if you hear the sound of bells, you should run."

"Bells? Why would you say that..."

"The details aren't important. Just stay away from any bell-wearing maniacs."

~~Ling Cao and Ling Tong; Dynasty Warriors 8

Historical Information

Ling Cao was said to have been a dauntless, resolute person who was exceptionally brave. It is said that Sun Ce relied on him to keep the spirit of his army high. After he quelled rebellions in Yongping County, he was distinguished with high honors and promoted by Sun Ce. In 200 AD, he continued serving the Sun family when Sun Quan took over. During the campaign against Huang Zu in 203 AD, he was struck by an arrow and killed. The records surrounding Gan Ning states that Ling Cao was killed by him. By contrast, Ling Tong's historical records only mention that a stray arrow caused his father's death.

Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Ling Cao was mentioned in chapter 15 as a villager in Yuhang. He led a resistance with the villagers to stop the plundering Yan Baihu. When the thief fled, Sun Ce rode into the village and recruited Ling Cao and his son for their bravery. Ling Cao's next mention in the novel happens twenty-three chapters later during the Battle of Xiakou. Ling Cao was leading a group of lightly-armed troops up the Great River but he was slain by an arrow shot by Gan Ning. The fifteen year old Ling Tong recovered his father's corpse and fumed with thoughts of revenge.

Gallery

Gallery

Romance of the Three Kingdoms Miscellaneous Romance of the Three Kingdoms II portrait Sangokushi II remake portrait Romance of the Three Kingdoms III portrait Romance of the Three Kingdoms III PC version portrait Romance of the Three Kingdoms IV portrait Romance of the Three Kingdoms V portrait Romance of the Three Kingdoms VI portrait Romance of the Three Kingdoms IX~X portrait Romance of the Three Kingdoms XI portrait Romance of the Three Kingdoms XII~XIII portrait Romance of the Three Kingdoms XIV portrait 100man-nin no Sangokushi portrait Shin Sangoku Musou 4 trading card artwork Romance of the Three Kingdoms: The Legend of Cao Cao portrait Shin Sangokushi Sousouden portrait Browser Sangokushi portrait Alternate portrait Paired portrait with Gan Ning Hexa Wars portrait Chinese version portrait Comic Sangokushi True Episode appearance