At this time, Li Ling said that he did not need war horses and was willing to lead five thousand elite troops to attack.

Therefore, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty agreed to his request.

Li Ling led five thousand sergeants on an expedition north to find the main force of the Huns. He was not as unlucky as his grandfather. Not only did he not get lost, but he also met the main force of the Huns as he wished.

After that, 80,000 Xiongnu elite soldiers and Li Ling's 5,000 warriors who dared to die launched a desperate struggle on Junji Mountain. Tens of thousands of Xiongnu cavalry attacked thousands of Han Dynasty soldiers. However, the Xiongnu did not have the ability to completely eliminate them. Instead,

They suffered heavy casualties under the attack of the big yellow crossbow.

Later, due to the betrayal of the traitor and the lack of timely rescue from reinforcements, Li Ling was finally captured due to exhaustion.

Historical records record: "He dared to be humiliated by the captain and surrendered to the Huns. He said that the Ling army was hopeless and the Ling army was defeated."

Afterwards, news of Li Ling's defeat reached the court, and Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was furious.

At the same time, the officials flattered and cursed Li Ling for treason and surrendering to the enemy, while Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty asked Sima Qian, the Taishi Ling, for his opinion. As a historian, Sima Qian dared to give direct advice and even explained Li Ling's case.

It probably means: "Li Ling led five thousand elite soldiers to fight to the death with the enemy's main force. Even with no reinforcements and no ammunition and food, he still fought against the Huns. Although he was defeated, his spirit and courage in killing the enemy are worthy of recognition.

, and the reason why he did not die for the country may be because he was looking for an opportunity to serve the Han Dynasty again..."

Sima Qian's defense made Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty furious. Because of this incident, he was implicated and was thrown into prison by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty.

Later, because Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty mistakenly believed the rumor that Li Ling was training troops for the Huns, Li Ling's family was annihilated and three tribes were wiped out. When this news reached Li Ling's ears, it is hard to imagine what a blow it would be.

In the end, Li Ling never entered the Han court again until his death and stayed alone in Mobei. Even after the death of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, Huo Guang and Zhang Anshi came to power and sent envoys to the Xiongnu to invite Li Ling to return, but it had no effect.

After all, there is no greater sorrow than heartbreak.

Li Ling faced the Han envoy who came and said in despair: "I led five thousand infantry for the Han Dynasty to sweep away the Xiongnu. I was defeated because there was no rescue. Why should I be sorry for the Han Dynasty and want to kill my whole family?"

"I am the king of the Xiongnu and control a large number of troops. It is easy for me to go back. I am afraid of being humiliated again but I have no choice but to do anything. A man cannot be capricious and be humiliated again!"

In the end, he stayed with the Xiongnu for more than 20 years until he died of illness in the first year of Yuanping.

However, history is fair and gives a very high evaluation to Li Ling.

The famous historian Qian Mu once said: "Li Ling's talent and the bravery of his entire army have made history readers admire him for thousands of years. He was full of passion, but he was unlucky."

Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, also commented on Li Ling's behavior: "Li Ling defeated the Xiongnu with five thousand infantry, and his merits were worthy of writings, bamboos and silk."
Chapter completed!