Did Li Ling really surrender to the Xiongnu?
Li Ling is the grandson of Li Guang and was the supervisor of Jianzhang during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. In 99 BC, Li Ling led 5,000 infantry from the flank of Li Guangli's army, preparing to contain the Xiongnu and cooperate with the westward route of the main force. Although Li Ling was defeated and captured, he resisted 80,000 cavalry with 5,000 infantry. At first, Li Ling wanted to surrender temporarily, keep the remaining soldiers, and then after Li Guangli's army defeated the Xiongnu, the envoys of the two sides negotiated that they could return to China, but soon got the news that the imperial court accused Li Ling of surrendering, and Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty slaughtered the three tribes of Li Ling, and the grief and anger Li Ling was left alone, so he completely took refuge in the Xiongnu, and finally spent his life in the Xiongnu.
