Page "Sima Qian" Paragraph 5
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In 99 BC, Sima Qian became embroiled in the Li Ling affair, where Li Ling and Li Guangli ( 李廣利 ), two military officers who led a campaign against the Xiongnu in the north, were defeated and taken captive.
Emperor Han Wudi attributed the defeat to Li Ling, with all government officials subsequently condemning him for it.
Emperor Han Wudi interpreted Sima ’ s defence of Li Ling as an attack on his brother-in-law, who had also fought against the Xiongnu without much success, and sentenced Sima to death.
Since Sima did not have enough money to atone his " crime ", he chose the latter and was then thrown into prison, where he endured three years.
He described his pain thus: " When you see the jailer you abjectly touch the ground with your forehead.
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