Preface
Sima Qian is the author of "Historical Records", in order to achieve the pursuit of "studying heaven and man, through the changes of the past and the present, and becoming the words of a family". Because he defended Li Ling, who surrendered to the Xiongnu, he was tortured by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, humiliated for half his life, and became the object of regret of the literati.
The power of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and the insistence of Sima Qian: a duel between two iron-blooded figures
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty and Sima Qian, both of these figures are well-known names in Chinese history. One is the emperor who holds great power, and the other is a historian who adheres to the truth of history. The collision of the two characters is destined to be a wonderful showdown.
Liu Che, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, ascended the throne in 141 BC at the age of 16. He is one of the most accomplished emperors in Chinese history, and he is unmatched by his great talent.
As soon as he came to power, he began a drastic reform, cracking down on the powerful and weakening local forces, and firmly holding power in his own hands. He also expanded his territory and sent famous generals such as Wei Qing and Huo Qubing to fight in all directions, and the Xiongnu were defeated and retreated.
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty attached great importance to military exploits. He believed that only through war could we expand our territory and strengthen our national strength. Therefore, he attaches great importance to those soldiers who dare to fight and have military exploits.
Huo Qu's disease is a typical example. Huo Qu was young and promising, led the army to defeat the Xiongnu many times, made great achievements, and was named a general by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, and was extremely favored.
Sima Qian was born in 145 BC into a family of historians. His father, Sima Tan, was also a well-known historian. Sima Qian has been exposed to history since he was a child, and has developed a strong interest in history.
He was determined to write a big book that connects the past and the present, and recorded the truth of history. In order to achieve this goal, he traveled all over the country, consulted countless materials, and finally wrote the "Historical Records".
"Historical Records" is the first general history in Chinese history, and has been praised by later generations as "the swan song of historians, the "Lisao" without rhyme". Sima Qian uses vivid brushstrokes to record historical events and characters from the Yellow Emperor to the Han Wu Emperor, which is real and detailed.
His works are not only a record of history, but also an exploration of human nature.
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty's philosophy of governing the country was very simple, that is, "the supremacy of military merit". He believed that only through war could the country be strong and the people live and work in peace and contentment.
He attached great importance to those soldiers who had made meritorious contributions. Wei Qing, Huo Qubing and other famous generals have made great achievements under his heavy use.
However, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty showed no mercy to the losers. Li Ling is a typical example. Li Ling is the grandson of the famous general Li Guang and is very brave.
In 99 BC, Li Ling led 5,000 soldiers and horses to attack the Xiongnu, but the entire army was annihilated and forced to surrender. When Emperor Wu of Han learned of this, he was very angry and ordered the killing of Li Ling's entire family.
Sima Qian was very sympathetic to Li Ling's plight. He believes that although Li Ling failed, he fought bravely on the battlefield and had done his best.
He defended Li Ling in the "Records of the Historians", arguing that Li Ling should not be punished so severely. His defense caused great dissatisfaction among Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, which eventually led to his palace punishment.
Sima Qian's persistence is not only for Li Ling, but also for the truth of history. He believes that history should be recorded truthfully and should not be distorted because of personal likes and dislikes.
Therefore, regardless of his personal safety, he insisted on speaking for Li Ling, and finally paid a heavy price.
The Truth and Misreading of the Li Ling Affair: The Transformation from Hero to Traitor
The battle of Li Ling: from the attack to the annihilation of the whole army
In 99 BC, Li Ling led 5,000 infantry and set out ambitiously against the Xiongnu. He was confident that he would win the battle.
Li Ling assured Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty: "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, the ministers will live up to their trust." Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty also had high hopes for Li Ling, after all, after Li Ling was a famous general, Li Guang's grandson had an unyielding fighting spirit flowing in his veins. However, it backfired.
Li Ling's battle began smoothly. They attacked all the way, and won successive battles. The Huns began to panic a little and kept retreating. But this was actually a strategy of the Xiongnu, who lured the enemy deep and led Li Ling's army into a desperate situation.
A few days later, Li Ling's 5,000 infantry fell into a siege, and the Xiongnu cavalry poured in from all directions, far outnumbering the Han army. Li Ling's soldiers and horses were like a lonely boat, struggling in the turbulent waves.
Li Ling and his soldiers resisted desperately. The scene of the battle was very tragic, with swords and swords, and rivers of blood. The soldiers fell one after another, and Li Ling was anxious, but he had no way to retreat, so he could only hold on.
His lieutenant said to him: "General, we are surrounded, break through!" Li Ling gritted his teeth and said, "No, we can't leave our brothers behind!" His determination touched the soldiers, who fought desperately and would rather die than retreat.
Behind the Surrender: Li Ling's Mentality and Choices
But the reality is brutal. Li Ling's army was eventually wiped out. Faced with the heavy encirclement of the Xiongnu, Li Ling knew that he had no way out, and after fighting to such a point, the soldiers were exhausted and could no longer continue to fight.
He looked at the brothers around him, one by one lying in a pool of blood, and his heart was extremely painful. He knew that he could no longer let these soldiers who followed him from birth to death die in vain.
So, Li Ling made a difficult decision. He said to the remaining soldiers: "Brothers, surrender with me, we can no longer sacrifice so needlessly." ”
The soldiers' eyes were full of confusion and reluctance, but they knew that the general was thinking about everyone's lives, and finally obeyed Li Ling's order.
This decision caused Li Ling to be controversial in later generations. Some people believe that he was a traitor and betrayed the trust of the Han Dynasty and Emperor Wu of Han. But in fact, Li Ling's choice was to save the lives of soldiers, which was a flash of humanity in helplessness.
Sima Qian recorded the incident in detail in the Records of the Historian and defended Li Ling, arguing that he had done his best and should not be treated as a traitor.
The record of the Li Ling incident in the "Records of the Historians" and the "Book of Han" is very different.
Sima Qian emphasized Li Ling's helplessness and humanity in the Records of the Historians, while Ban Gu leaned more towards the views of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty in the Book of Han, portraying Li Ling as a failed general and traitor. This different perspective reflects the position and emotions of the historical historian.
The anger of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty: From hope to disappointment
When Emperor Wu of Han heard the news of Li Ling's surrender, he was furious. He originally had high hopes for Li Ling, believing that this young general would be able to make great achievements for the Han Dynasty.
Li Ling's defeat and surrender made Emperor Wu of Han feel extremely disappointed and angry. He felt betrayed and couldn't accept the fact.
Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was angry not only because of Li Ling's surrender, but also because this defeat was too great a blow to the Han Dynasty.
The defeat in this battle gave the Xiongnu a respite, and the borders of the Han Dynasty were once again in a tense situation. The higher Emperor Wu of Han's expectations of Li Ling, the greater his disappointment and anger.
After Li Ling's surrender, the Han Dynasty was also in turmoil. Many were outraged by Li Ling's actions and considered him an out-and-out traitor. Li Ling's family was also implicated and was severely punished by order of Emperor Wu of Han.
Li Ling's mother and wife were arrested, and the family's glory was wiped out overnight. In that era, family honor and disgrace were closely related to personal behavior, and Li Ling's surrender not only humiliated himself, but also plunged the entire family into endless suffering.
Aftermath of Li Ling's Surrender: Turmoil and Anger within the Han Dynasty
Li Ling's surrender not only affected his fate, but also caused an uproar within the Han dynasty. Many generals and soldiers expressed outrage at Li Ling's actions, believing that he had betrayed the trust of the Han dynasty and his brothers.
There was a lot of discussion inside and outside the court, and some people even proposed to completely liquidate Li Ling's family in order to set an example.
However, there are also some people who sympathize with Li Ling. After all, in such a desperate situation, it is not easy to choose to save your life. They believe that Li Ling's surrender is to save more people's lives, and it is a human choice in desperation.
Although this view was not mainstream at the time, it gradually gained more understanding and recognition in later historical evaluations.
Li Ling's life after surrender was not as simple as he imagined. His life in the Xiongnu was not satisfactory, although he was named a general, but he always cared about his homeland, and his heart was full of pain and remorse.
He tried to prove himself in various ways, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not change the reality that he was regarded as a traitor in the Han Dynasty.
Li Ling's upbringing and the expectations of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty
Li Ling's upbringing background is very special. His grandfather, Li Guang, was a famous general of the Han Dynasty and was known as the "Flying General". Li Guang fought countless battles in his life and made great achievements, but his fate was ill-fated and he finally failed to become a marquis.
Li Ling has been exposed to it since he was a child and has been influenced by the heroism of his family. He aspires to become a famous general like his grandfather and make great contributions to the country.
However, Li Ling's fate was very different from that of his grandfather. Despite his bravery and wisdom, he suffered an unexpected defeat on the battlefield. This defeat not only cost him his honor, but also caused his family a huge blow.
The higher Emperor Wu of Han's expectations of Li Ling, the greater his disappointment and anger. Li Ling's surrender completely destroyed Emperor Wu of Han's trust in him, and also plunged the entire Han Dynasty into turmoil.
Li Ling after surrender: from self-abandonment to seeking a way out
After the surrender, Li Ling went through a very painful period. His life in the Xiongnu was not satisfactory, although he was named a general, but he always cared about his homeland, and his heart was full of pain and remorse.
He tried to prove himself in various ways, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not change the reality that he was regarded as a traitor in the Han Dynasty.
In the Xiongnu, Li Ling did not give up on himself. He gradually adapted to his new life and played an important role in the army of the Huns. He helped the Xiongnu train their army, develop strategies, and become an important general of the Xiongnu.
Despite this, Li Ling's heart could not be calm. He was always thinking about his homeland, of his relatives and friends who had suffered because of his surrender.
Li Ling's story tells us that history is often full of complexities and contradictions. A person's choices can have a huge impact, but that doesn't mean he's a simple traitor or a hero.
Li Ling's experience is a story full of humanity and helplessness, reflecting the truth and complexity of history.
Behind the Palace Punishment: Sima Qian's Choice and Historical Justice
Sima Qian's choice: helplessness in the face of palace punishment
Sima Qian's life was full of ups and downs, the most unforgettable of which was his choice to face the palace punishment. The cause of all this is closely related to the Li Ling incident.
After Li Ling surrendered to the Xiongnu, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was furious and ordered that all those related to Li Ling be severely punished. Sima Qian angered Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty for defending Li Ling and was sentenced to palace punishment.
In those days, palace punishment was an extremely cruel punishment. For a man, this is not only physical pain, but also a huge blow to his personality and dignity. Sima Qian could have chosen to commit suicide to preserve his dignity, but he did not.
Sima Qian's friend Zhang Qian persuaded him: "You are born for history, and you can't let a momentary humiliation ruin your mission." Sima Qian listened and nodded silently, he decided to endure this humiliation and continue to complete his historical mission.
Family background and financial situation: the dilemma of not being able to atone
Sima Qian was born in a family of historians, his father Sima Tan was the Taishi Ling of the Han Dynasty, and the family had been an official for generations, and his life was quite comfortable.
Faced with the verdict of the palace punishment, Sima Qian fell into an unprecedented predicament. At that time, the law of the Han Dynasty allowed money to atone for sins, but the cost of atonement was too high for Sima Qian to afford.
The family's savings had long since been depleted, and Sima Qian's mother was too old to raise enough money for her son's sins. Sima Qian looked at his elderly mother, and his heart was full of helplessness and pain.
He knew that he had to bear the humiliation and continue to live. He said to his mother, "Although the child has suffered such a great disgrace, he has great ambition in his heart and will live up to his father's expectations." When the mother heard this, she burst into tears, but she could only silently support her son's decision.
Inner Struggle: Personality Damage and Historical Mission
After the palace execution, Sima Qian's heart was full of endless pain and struggle. Not only did he have to endure physical pain, but he also had to face a huge loss of personality and dignity.
Whenever he was alone in the dead of night, the pain and helplessness in his heart came like a tide. He often asked himself, "Is this humiliation worth it?" ”
But whenever he thought of his father's entrustment and the historical mission he shouldered, hope was rekindled in his heart. Sima Qian knew that he was not only living for personal dignity, but also for the record of history.
He said to himself: "Man is inherently dead, either heavier than Mount Tai or lighter than a feather." He decided to endure all this, turn his pain into motivation, and complete the writing of the "Chronicles".
Sima Qian after the palace execution: the driving force for the achievement of "Historical Records".
After the palace execution, although Sima Qian's body was greatly tortured, his spirit did not fall because of this. He turned this pain into motivation for creation, and began to devote himself to the writing of "Historical Records".
For Sima Qian, this is not only a history book, but also a work of life written by him with blood and tears.
The process of compiling the Chronicles of the Chronicles was full of hardships and challenges. Every day, Sima Qian writes in the dim light. While enduring physical pain, he recalled and sorted out the materials left by his father. This is not only a double test of body and will, but also a tempering of his mind.
Many times, his friend Zhang Qian came to see him, and when he saw his eyes sunken and his face haggard, he couldn't help but say distressedly: "Why are you suffering? Sima Qian replied firmly: "I want future generations to see the true history." ”
Once, Sima Qian accidentally spilled ink on a freshly written bamboo slip, and he looked at the darkness and felt very annoyed.
But instead of giving up, he picked up the pen again and patiently wrote it again. He knows that this book carries too many expectations and missions, and there must be no sloppiness. In such an environment, the "Records of the Historians" gradually took shape day after day.
Sima Qian's efforts were not in vain, and "Records of the Historians" became a great work. This book not only records the history from the Yellow Emperor to the Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, but also covers many heroic figures and major events.
Sima Qian used his pen to paint a vivid historical picture. The Li Ling incident, Xiang Yu's tragedy, and Han Gaozu's eloquence were all vividly portrayed by him.
On a cold winter night, Sima Qian looked at the snowy scene outside the window, and his heart was full of emotion. He said to the disciples around him: "History cannot be forgotten, and every person and event has its meaning of existence. ”
After hearing this, the disciples were deeply moved by his spirit and expressed their desire to follow in the footsteps of their teachers and continue to study and pass on history.
After the palace execution, Sima Qian used his tenacity and wisdom to complete the "Historical Records". This book is not only a record of history, but also a profound reflection on his life and destiny.
He used his own experience to tell future generations that no matter how difficult it is, as long as you have faith in your heart, you can create an immortal cause.
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