When Sun Ce first raised his banner in 194, Ling Cao joined him and participated in the latter's conquests in the Jiangdong region.
Sun Ce appointed Ling Cao as the Chief (長) of Yongping County (永平縣; in present-day Liyang, Jiangsu) to counter the Shanyue.
Upon his arrival at Xiakou (夏口; present-day Hankou, Hubei), Ling Cao ordered a charge aimed at the enemy commanding unit.
Ling Cao's uninterrupted dash broke the defence line immediately and threw Huang Zu's navy into confusion with his sudden attack.
Due to his father's death, Ling Tong bore a grudge against Gan Ning, who surrendered and came to serve Sun Quan.