Ling Fangzhen

Ling Fangzhen (1950–1977), a native of Pinglu, Shanxi. Originally surname Linghu, he was the eldest son of the Ling family and older brother of Ling Plan. At 18, he enlisted in the military, becoming a naval soldier in a unit in Qingdao. After discharge, he married Beijing educated youth Sun Shumin, with whom he had one son and one daughter, named Ling Hu Jian and Ling Hu Yan. In 1977, after returning home from his military service, he tragically died after falling from a height while cleaning windows, at only 27 years old. The name Ling Fangzhen was chosen by his father from currently popular political terms in newspapers, similar to the names of his siblings such as "Policy" and "Line." The Ling family originally bore the surname Linghu, which was later simplified by removing the character "Hu" (fox). His father, Linghu Ye, was a grassroots cadre in Shanxi, and his mother was Wang Liming. Ling Fangzhen's early death brought significant upheaval to the family, and his descendants have become important members of the family lineage.