| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 张陵, 張陵, Zhāng Líng |
| Nickname | Commander of the Black Mountain (黑山校尉) |
| Other name | Trương Lăng |
| INFORMATION | |
| Born | c. 180s AD |
| Birth Place | Zhending, Changshan Commandery (常山真定; Zhengding, Hebei) |
| Death Reason | Natural causes |
| FAMILY | |
| Father | |
| Relatives | |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Black Mountain Bandits / Cao Wei |
| Battles | Campaigns in Hebei |
Biography & Historical Record
Zhang Ling (张陵, 張陵, Trương Lăng; c. 180s–?) was a military commander and the son of Zhang Yan (张燕), the supreme chieftain of the formidable million-strong Black Mountain (Heishan) army based in the Taihang Mountains.
Following Cao Cao’s decisive victory over Yuan Tan in 205 AD, Zhang Yan realized the tide of history had turned and dispatched Zhang Ling to Cao Cao’s military camp to negotiate the formal surrender of his forces. Cao Cao was overjoyed, rewarding Zhang Yan with the title of General Who Pacifies the North and a marquisate of 500 households, while Zhang Ling and his brothers were commissioned as imperial colonels and commanders in Cao Cao’s elite central armies.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Chapter 33: When Zhang Yan leads his mountain warriors to submit to Cao Cao, Zhang Ling (张陵) represents the pivotal emissary whose mission peacefully pacified the vast northern mountain frontier.
Zhang Ling (张陵) — Historical & Literary Timeline
Youth in Taihang
Born to Zhang Yan amidst the rugged strongholds of the Taihang range.
Mission of Surrender to Cao Cao
Sent as envoy to surrender the Black Mountain forces, rewarded with military ranks.
See historical sources cited below.
Key Relationships
Family
In Historical Accounts
- Sanguozhi (三国志): Volume 8 (Biography of Zhang Yan): "When Cao Cao pacified Ji Province, Yan dispatched his son Ling to submit. The Prime Minister received them with great joy and granted imperial honors."
In History
Summary
- Zhang Ling (张陵, Trương Lăng) was the son of Zhang Yan who submitted the Black Mountain forces to Cao Cao.
Historical Record
- Sanguozhi Volume 8 (Book of Wei 8).
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