Is “Unresolved father's revenge and sworn brotherhood by breaking arrows” true?
novel invention
Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Wu, Biography of Ling Tong records that Ling Tong's father Ling Cao was killed by Gan Ning, and Ling Tong often harbored resentment; Sun Quan specifically ordered them to be stationed separately. Romance of the Three Kingdoms fictionalizes Gan Ning saving Ling Tong on the battlefield, leading to their sworn brotherhood.
Ling Tong
In official history, Gan Ning killed Ling Tong's father, and Ling Tong harbored a grudge; in the novel, Gan Ning saves Ling Tong's life and they become sworn brothers by breaking arrows.