Career
Ling is best known for writing biographical novels of three Qing Dynasty emperors (Kangxi Emperor, Yongzheng Emperor and Qianlong Emperor), all of which have been adapted into award-winning television series. Ling was born in Xiyang County, Shanxi. He served in the People"s Liberation Army for ten years from 1968 to 1978.
His inspiration for the emperor biographies came from his study of Dream of the Red Chamber, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.