Gan Ning to the rescue... but why?

[Waking Dragon]

"Soon after Ling Tong and Yue Jing were in a battle. While they were fighting Cao Xiu let fly an arrow that hit Ling Tong’s horse. As Yue Jing pounced forward another arrow was let go and hit Yue Jing right in the face. Ling Tong retreated back to his lines. “The arrow that saved you was shot by Gan Ning,” said Sun Quan. Ling Tong turned to his rival and bowed low. “I could not have supposed you would have rendered me such a service, Sir,” said he to Gan Ning. This episode ended the strife and enmity between the two leaders, who thereafter swore perpetual friendship."

www.kongming.net

Since Gan Ning killed Ling Cao, Ling Tong's father, and Ling Tong attempted to slay Ning for revenge more than once, why did you think Gan Ning shot that arrow right in Yue Jing's face saving Ling Tong?

[REMIX]

Possibly because they were in the same army (a team) or because Sun Quan asked for the both of them to form a truce (which was said when Gan Ning first arrived)

[Cao Cao's Guardian]

Because he was aiming for Ling Tong and missed, obviously.
The other argument is that Gan Ning was doing his duty as a Wu officer. See someone in trouble, help them out, sorta thing.
You can also say that Gan Ning wanted to prove that he's good with a bow, since he's not especially renowned for it.

[Sun Gongli]

Gan Ning was not a backstabber - he only ever betrayed Huang Zu, who had treated Gan Ning horribly and attempted to steal his soldiers. To suggest he was aiming for Ling Tong is a bit preposterous.

Gan Ning simply did what he felt was his duty as an officer of Sun Quan - he saved the life of an ally. Perhaps he also intended to make amends with Ling Tong.

Looking at Gan Ning, we should look at various sources in finding his personality. On one hand, we see a brazen brute, more than eager for the opportunity to swing his sword around. On the other, we see a very civilized and at times sensitive individual, as is evidenced by his civil attitude towards Sun Jiao when Sun Jiao drunkenly insulted him.

[Gal Jon]

Mainly because of Sun Quan who was such a good leader that his officers always followed his orders. He was the only one who could tame the crazy army of Wu

[Beauty Warrior Zhou]

Because he was aiming for Ling Tong and missed, obviously.

You must be kidding

The other argument is that Gan Ning was doing his duty as a Wu officer. See someone in trouble, help them out, sorta thing.

Now, this is a serious oppinion. And I most agree with.

You can also say that Gan Ning wanted to prove that he's good with a bow, since he's not especially renowned for it.

Probably... [/quote]

[Baiko Arashi]

gan ning was a general first and a person second...he couldnt let a good general die

[SlickSlicer]

Could it be possible that the arrow which hit Yue Jing was in fact a stray? Perhaps Sun Quan used the hit of Yue Jing as a means to get Gan Ning and Ling Tong to stop quarreling and fighting. He planned with Gan Ning and they agreed that they would say that Gan Ning shot the arrow. Upon hearing this Ling Tong would give up his strong rivalry against Gan Ning. Historically I'm not so certain of if this is the case however I know that there were many clans within Sun Quan's service that often did not get along with each other. Sun Quan sometimes needed to step in and exert his authority to get his generals to stop fighting.

[Cao Cao's Guardian]

You have a good point there, Sun Quan would likely use it as a way of reconciling the two, and I think that argument holds the most weight, so far. Still not sure why Gan Ning did it, other than the fact that it was an enemy, you're meant to kill them. Makes me wonder why they don't do that more often.

And yes I was kidding about him accidently missing Ling Tong

[Lord Chuff]

It was Ling Tong who had the grudge against Gan Ning, not the other way around. I think Gan Ning wanted to be on friendly terms with Ling Tong as much as Sun Quan wanted thenm to be friends.