Sima Qian's story "Tragic Torture"

Just as Sima Qian was concentrating on writing the history books, a catastrophe fell on him, causing him to almost leave his beloved career.

In 99 BC, the Han Dynasty general Li Ling (grandson of the famous general Li Guang) was ordered by Emperor Wu of Han to lead 5,000 infantry to attack the Xiongnu, but because the lone army was deep, it was surrounded by 80,000 Xiongnu soldiers. Li Ling led his army to break through desperately and killed countless enemies, because they were outnumbered and did not succeed. A few days later, the Han army ran out of food and shot out arrows. In this case, Li Ling surrendered to the Xiongnu. His soldiers, except for more than 400 who fled back to the Han Dynasty, all died on the battlefield.

The news of Li Ling's surrender reached the imperial court, and Emperor Wu of Han was very angry and angry. Some of the civil and military officials who had praised Li Ling in the past also scolded Li Ling, but Sima Qian had his own views. He and Li Ling did not have a personal relationship, but felt that they should say a few fair words for him. Therefore, Sima Qian carefully said to Emperor Wu of Han:

"I heard that Li Ling led five thousand infantrymen to fight for more than ten days, killing and wounding countless enemies, and finally the arrows were exhausted, and his soldiers risked death to resist the enemy, which was very heroic. The famous generals of ancient times are just like this, right? Moreover, Li Ling usually respects his parents, is sincere to his friends, and fights for the country. Therefore, he surrendered to the enemy this time because he was forced to do so. I think that in the future he will definitely wait for the opportunity to repay His Majesty. ”

Unexpectedly, Sima Qian's words angered the emperor. Emperor Wudi of Han narrowed his eyes in anger and said:

"You dare to intercede for a traitor, this is a deception!" What a bold one! Come on, pull him down, and punish him severely. ”

Before the words could be heard, several sergeants pushed and pulled Sima Qian into custody and imprisoned him.

Li Ling's surrender to the Xiongnu was not right. However, Sima Qian defended Li Ling, mainly for the sake of Emperor Wu of Han, asking him not to push Li Ling to a dead end, which would be detrimental to the Han Dynasty. However, Emperor Wu of Han ignored all this, and instead ordered Sima Qian to be severely punished. Sima Qian was severely tortured in prison and beaten to death.

Soon, news came from the north that Li Ling was training troops for the Xiongnu and was coming to attack the Han Dynasty. Actually, this is a rumor. However, Emperor Wu of Han believed this to be true and immediately ordered that all of Li Ling's family be killed. Thinking that Sima Qian had defended Li Ling, Emperor Wu of Han was angry and sentenced him to death.

Sima Qian was stunned when he got the news that he was going to be executed. He couldn't have imagined that he was well-intentioned and thought about the emperor, but instead he had brought the disaster of killing himself. He immediately thought that once he died, the history book would not come out, his father's last wish would not be fulfilled, and the ideals he had set in his youth would be disappointed. His heart is like a knife, for the sake of his career, how much he wants to live!

At that time, there were only two ways to avoid death. One is to spend half a million dollars to atone for sins; the other is to replace the death penalty with rotten punishment (genital mutilation).

Sima Qian's family was in general condition, where could he get half a million dollars? In order to get rid of the suspicion, his relatives and friends had long been hiding far away, and no one would come to help him.

"Do I have only one way to accept corruption?" When Sima Qian thought of this, he was extremely distressed. Corruption is the most cruel punishment, and the body and mind of a person are greatly damaged. After being tortured for corruption, like the eunuchs in the palace, he became the emperor's personal slave and was looked down upon.

But what could be more important than writing a good history book? Sima Qian, in the face of all helplessness, finally made up his mind to live tenaciously! So, in the dark Jamsil (the prison cell where he was tortured), he endured his grief and accepted the punishment that brought him great shame.