The LiLing incident changed the second half of Sima Qian's life

The basic requirement for writing history books is to be objective and minimize personal feelings, but the highly respected "History" is mixed with many personal feelings of Sima Qian, such as the hero worship of Xiang Yu, the lamentation of Li Guang, and the criticism of Liu Bang. Sima Qian was born into a family of historians, worshiped under famous teachers, inherited his father's business, and wrote history books. But what really transformed Sima Qian's life was a campaign against the Xiongnu.

So how did Sima Qian, as a historian, get involved in the war and the Xiongnu?

In 99 BC, relations between Han and Hungary were once again tense, and Emperor Wu of Han sent Li Guangli, the brother of his favorite concubine Lady Li, to lead an army against the Xiongnu, and Li Ling was responsible for logistics supplies. However, Li Ling proposed to take 5,000 infantry to march alone to disperse the xiongnu's military pressure on Li Guangli. Emperor Wu of Han was reluctant in his heart and did not send cavalry to Li Ling. Li Ling's departure was smooth at the beginning, but in the process of marching, he encountered the 30,000 main force led by the Xiongnu Da DanYu.

5,000 infantry vs. 30,000 main forces, what will be the result?

30,000 main forces were killed by a thousand people!

Da Dan Yu was angry and brought 80,000 people, Li Ling's 5,000 infantry were surrounded by 110,000 people, he fought and retreated, but the more courageous the Vietnam War, Da Dan Yu felt that this battle could not be fought and was ready to withdraw. But then there was an accident. One of Li Ling's subordinates, feeling insulted by his superiors, defected in anger. Two military information was revealed to the Xiongnu, one Li Ling had no backup troops, and the other Li Ling infantry was powerful because of his weapons and equipment - crossbow machines with continuous firing, but the arrows were about to run out. After Da Dan yu grasped Li Ling's bottom card, he launched an attack, and Li Ling was forced into the valley, and the Xiongnu occupied both ends of the valley and attacked downwards. The remaining 3,000 suffered heavy casualties. Li Ling decided to disperse the breakout, and finally only 400 people escaped, and Li Ling was captured and surrendered.

Emperor Wu of Han was furious, but Sima Qian proposed Li Ling's bravery and merits, although defeated but enough to comfort the world, he may have surrendered. Emperor Long Yan of the Han Dynasty was furious and ordered Sima Qian to be falsely accused and sent to death row.

According to the regulations at that time, those who sentenced to death could have three choices: one was to punish the law, the second was to redeem his life with money, and the third was to accept the palace punishment, so how would Sima Qian choose?

Waiting for the next article.