Xu Junshiyun: "Famous generals are born and descend to bear their own knowledge, and it is still too late to lose their teachers and humiliate the country." "During the Western Han Dynasty, although the famous general Li Ling had made great military achievements, he was misunderstood by the emperor and eventually wandered to another country, and his death failed to return to his roots.
In modern society, the importance of ancient tombs to archaeological research cannot be underestimated, and unlike written historical records, the history presented in ancient tombs is generally more real. Because of this, archaeologists from all over the world have paid great attention to ancient tombs.
Once, a thousand-year-old tomb was unearthed in Russia, and when relevant experts studied this ancient tomb, they were surprised to find that the owner of the tomb was actually a famous general of the Western Han Dynasty, and in his lifetime, he also made countless military achievements. So, why would this famous general of the Western Han Dynasty be buried in such a distant foreign country? What kind of special life experience did he have before he died?
In the 1940s, in the Russian region, that is, in the former Soviet Union, a construction team suddenly discovered an ancient tomb during the construction process.
Seeing this scene, the construction personnel found archaeologists to investigate it. According to records, the scale of this mausoleum is large, even like an underground palace, in addition, the specifications and methods of construction of this mausoleum are also very similar to those in the Central Plains.
Based on the special features of this tomb, experts began to conduct in-depth analysis of many cultural relics in the tomb, and finally, with the help of the floor tiles in the tomb, experts were able to determine that the owner of this thousand-year-old tomb was Li Ling, a famous general of the Western Han Dynasty of China.
As Li Guang's grandson, Li Ling was placed great expectations. Once, Li Ling led 800 cavalry to penetrate deep into the hinterland of the Xiongnu for more than 2,000 miles, successfully surveyed the internal terrain of the Xiongnu, and made important contributions to the later defeat of the Xiongnu by the Han army.
In 99 BC, Li Guangli led 30,000 cavalry from Jiuquan to attack the Right Xian King who was active in the Tianshan Mountains.
At that time, Emperor Wu of Han hoped to have Li Ling transport grain and grass for the army and be responsible for ensuring the logistics of Li Guangli's army. However, in the process of emperor Wudi summoning Li Ling, he asked Emperor Wudi of Han for orders to lead troops to attack, and directly attacked the royal court with 5,000 infantry. For Li Ling, he who has outstanding ability naturally does not want to always be subordinate to others.
Seeing Li Ling's arrogance, Emperor Wu of Han agreed to Li Ling's request, and at this point, Li Ling finally got the opportunity to lead his troops out on a campaign and began to go deep into the hinterland of the Xiongnu and fight to the death with the Xiongnu army.
Although Li Ling was full of confidence before leading the army to go out, in the context of the times at that time, the Xiongnu forces could not be underestimated.
In the process of fighting against the Xiongnu, one of Li Ling's army defected to the Xiongnu, and under the influence of this traitor, the internal situation of Li Ling's army was fully known to the Xiongnu leaders. When the Xiongnu army had a comprehensive understanding of Li Ling and his troops, the victory or defeat of this war naturally no longer existed in suspense.
In the face of the menacing Xiongnu army, the troops led by Li Ling were hit hard, and in the process of fighting against the Xiongnu, Li Ling never succeeded in finding the opportunity to turn defeat into victory. In the end, he could only bear to surrender in pain.
After the news of Li Ling's surrender to the Xiongnu returned, Emperor Wu of Han was furious. Immediately after, he ordered the killing of Li Ling's three clans to vent the anger in his heart. At this point, Li Ling was also forced to bear the insult of a traitor and was spurned by many people.
However, in the process of historical research in later generations, experts found that in fact, the reason why Li Ling chose to surrender to the Xiongnu at that time was also to wait for the opportunity, find a suitable opportunity to escape, and return to the imperial court to resume his life.
However, during the life of the Xiongnu tribe, Li Ling heard that his family had been beheaded, and at that time, Li Ling, who was full of grief, decided not to return to the Central Plains to live.
When the leader of the Xiongnu tribe learned of this news, he took the opportunity to win over Li Ling. In the days that followed, Li Ling not only married a Xiongnu princess, but also was awarded a high-ranking official, and during the life of the Xiongnu tribe, Li Ling gradually adapted to such a day.
However, as a general of the Han Dynasty, in his heart, he still has a deep attachment to the Central Plains. According to the excavated data in the tomb, before Li Ling's death, he asked his descendants to build a tomb with Han Dynasty characteristics for him, and from this request, Li Ling's homesickness can also be felt.
Through the excavation of this ancient tomb, people have successfully restored the tragic experience of this famous general of the Western Han Dynasty, and many people have also regretted his ending after learning about Li Ling's story.
epilogue
As a general, Li Ling successfully overcame countless difficulties and obstacles in the course of the war and made outstanding military achievements. Although in his heart, he was always loyal to the rule of the Han Dynasty, but he was affected by accidents and misunderstandings, the later Li Ling had to leave his hometown.
In fact, in the process of historical development, tragic figures like Li Ling are not uncommon. With their in-depth understanding, the world has been able to recognize the limitations of historical development and reflect on the way they think and behave.
In the future society, based on the influence of such historical lessons, we will look at society with a more rational and comprehensive attitude, so as to avoid affecting the progress and development of the country due to the limitations of our own thinking.
Reference: Book of Han