Sima Qian's death year and the truth of his death year.
Sima Qian, a great historian and writer in the history of our country, grew up in the era of Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty and served as an official. Because Li Ling defended the Huns, he violated the taboo of Emperor Wu and suffered from corruption. After being sentenced, with great sadness and hatred, he persisted in completing the 500,000-word historical masterpiece Historical Records. Lu Xun called it "the historian's swan song, Li Sao has no rhyme." Historical Records shows a 3,000-year historical picture from the legendary Yellow Emperor to the era of Emperor Wudi of the Western Han Dynasty. After the publication of Historical Records, there have been scholars specializing in Historical Records and Sima Qian in all previous dynasties, and there have also been experts studying Historical Records abroad. However, due to the lack of historical data, Sima Qian's death year and cause of death have been unsatisfactory.
The official history does not include the year of Sima Qian's death. Some people think that this is the proof that Sima Qian died a natural death. Others think that this just shows that Sima Qian's cause of death is unknown and there are many doubts. Historical Records focuses on the Old Instrument written by Wei, a scholar in the Eastern Han Dynasty: "Sima Qian made a very short statement about the history of Emperor Jing, and he passed it on to Emperor Wu, who was angry and cut it. After sitting for Li Ling, Li Ling went down to the silkworm room to complain and died in prison. There are similar records in Ge Hong's Miscellanies of Xijing. On this basis, some people think that Sima Qian died because he wrote Ren Anshu as a newspaper, and died in the year when he wrote Ren Anshu as a newspaper. According to Wang Guowei's textual research, Ren Anshu was written in the fourth year of Tai Chu. Guo Moruo thought that Sima Qian's imprisonment would spread all over the world, so Wei Hong and Ge Hong wrote it in the book. Wei Hong and Ge Hong were both well-known university experts at that time, and they would not distort the facts out of thin air. Ban Gu sighed in praise of Sima Qian's biography in Han Dynasty, but he could not feel sorry for himself. This shows that Sima Qian did not die of natural causes, referring to corruption, but he could not protect himself. As Qin Zhou, a literary scholar of Huan Kuan Salt and Iron Theory, said, the silkworm house was not built in a day. The owner had to be honored by the rich grain official, and the wife had to be pardoned or honored by the Qing Dynasty, so she saw it with a knife. The Salt and Iron Conference was held in Zhao Di in the Western Han Dynasty for six years, which is not far from Sima Qian's life. After Sima Qian was sentenced in the Han Dynasty, he "respected his position" and became the official secretary of the emperor, which can be said to be "among the ministers." Guo Moruo thinks that "going to the silkworm house" and "sawing with a knife" in the article "On Salt and Iron Qin Zhou" is another allusion to Sima Qian's death in prison.
Some scholars have raised objections to this. There are still records about Wei Hong's reference to Taishiling and Sima Qian. There are four * * *, and at least two of them are not in line with historical facts. So Wei Hong's statement that Sima Qian "died in prison" is almost unbelievable, or at least isolated proof. The ancients thought that "parents have physical problems and dare not harm them." Han Shu lamented that Sima Qian was "trapped in the capital punishment" and could not "protect himself", which should be understood from the meaning of the ancients. The literary discourse in Qin Zhou on Salt and Iron has nothing to do with Sima Qian. "Going to the silkworm house" is followed by "Saw with a knife". The original intention only refers to the bad social atmosphere caused by punishment, which proves that the strict rule of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty is invalid and cannot be interpreted as that Sima Qian was imprisoned twice.
Others think that Sima Qian may have died in the "prison of witchcraft" in the later years of Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty. Witchcraft was committed in the first year of Zheng He. As an emissary of witchcraft, Jiang Chong had a grudge against Wang Wei, fearing that Wang Wei would punish him after driving, so he killed Wang Wei to cut off contacts. After the prince killed Jiang Chong, he committed suicide. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was imprisoned as a poor witch, and the prince was transferred to prison for death. Until Zheng He was four years old, hundreds of thousands of people died before and after. Ren An, Sima Qian's good friend, was a sorcery martyr. This disaster affected many civil and military officials at that time, and Sima Qian was probably not spared. According to the analysis of the contents of Historical Records, there are still records from the first four years to the second year of the levy, but there are no records after the third year of the levy. Sima Qian is probably the victim of the cloud "Witch disaster, a mere scholar" in Hanshu.
It is also said that Sima Qian died after Emperor Wu. Chu Sunshao, a scholar in the Western Han Dynasty, once said that "Tai Shi Gong pays attention to filial piety", and there is posthumous title's "Emperor Wu" in the history books. "Emperor Wu" was awarded by later generations after the death of Han Sejong Liu Che. For example, Sima Qian died before Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty. How do you know this posthumous title? It has been verified that Sima Qian's Letter to Ren An was written in November of Zheng He's second year, only four years after the death of Emperor Wu. Judging from the contents of Bao Ren An Shu, we should know that the Historical Records was not completely completed at that time, and there will be revisions later, so it is necessary to call it posthumous title when it comes to An Interview with Emperor Wu.
In a word, there is no clear evidence in history whether Sima Qian "resented his death in prison", or was involved in a "prison of witchcraft", or died unharmed after Emperor Wu, which needs the discovery of new historical materials and further research by people in the future.
Sima Qian is a great historian in the history of China. "He was imprisoned for his outspoken advice, but he was even more angry because of it. His Historical Records, a famous historian at all times and at all times, left a valuable cultural heritage for the people of China and the people of the world.
One, stepfather, is a historian.
Sima Qian, born in five years (BC 145) at the foot of Longmen Mountain (now Hancheng County, Shaanxi Province), was born in the Han Dynasty.
In the third year of Yuanfeng (BC 108), Sima Qian inherited his father Sima Tan's legacy and became an official, and began to sort out and select historical classics from the Royal Library. Sima Qian's ancestors were not very prominent, and the family was in charge of Taishi's position for generations. But Sima Qian and his father were proud of it. In their minds, compiling history is a lofty cause. They devoted their lives to it.
Sima Tan has been preparing to write a history book linking the past and the present. Under the direct guidance of his father, Sima Qian began to learn ancient Chinese at the age of ten. Later, I studied Chunqiu from Dong Zhongshu and Shangshu from Kong Anguo. Sima Qian studied hard, made rapid progress and was full of learning spirit.
When Sima Qian's father died, he took his son by the hand and said to him with tears: "... after I die, you must continue to be a teacher." Don't forget my wish to write a general history in my life. You must inherit my career, don't forget! " This earnest entrustment greatly shocked Sima Qian. He saw his father's rare sense of mission and responsibility as a historian, and he also knew that his father had pinned his unfinished business on himself. Sima Qian lowered his head with tears and replied sadly and firmly, "Son, although I have no talent, I will definitely fulfill your wish."
After Sima Qian made the Taishi Order, he had the opportunity to read books and important materials that could not be seen by the outside world. This provided good conditions for him to write historical records in the future. However, data sorting is very complicated. Due to the confusion of books and national archives at that time, even there was no catalogue to consult, Sima Qian had to look for clues from a large number of wooden slips and silk books, and sort out and textual research on historical materials. Over the past few years, Sima Qian has racked his brains and made great efforts to sort out and textual research historical materials almost every day.
Sima Qian has always remembered his father's legacy and is determined to follow Confucius' example in compiling Spring and Autumn Annals and write a historical work that can also be immortal. In BC 104, Sima Qian presided over the revision of the calendar and officially began to write his masterpiece Historical Records.
Historians and writers of the Western Han Dynasty. Zichang, Zuo Fengyi, was born in xia yang (now southwest of Hancheng, Shaanxi). Born in the fifth year of Emperor Jing of the Han Dynasty (BC 145), born in the sixth year of Emperor Jian Yuan of the Han Dynasty (BC 135), the date of death is unknown. Sima Qian 10 years old began to study ancient literature biographies. During Yuan Guang and Yuan Shuo of Han Dynasty, he studied under the modern writer Dong Zhongshu's "The Spring and Autumn Annals of the Ram" and the ancient prose writer Kong Anguo. At the age of 20, he roamed south from Chang 'an, the capital, and traveled all over the Jianghuai Valley and the Central Plains, where he visited local customs and collected legends. Soon, he became a doctor, bodyguard and retinue of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, and accompanied him to the Western Seas many times, and sent envoys to Bashu. In the third year of Yuanfeng (BC 108), Sima Tan, the stepfather of Sima Qian, was the official of Taishi, in charge of astronomical calendar and royal atlas, so it depends on the books collected by historians. In the first year of Taichu (before 104), he, Luo and others customized calendars to replace the Zhuan Xu calendar inherited by Qin, and the new calendar adapted to the needs of the society at that time. From then on, Sima Qian began to write historical records. Later, he was convicted, imprisoned and rotted for defending Li Ling who surrendered to Xiongnu.
After he was released from prison, he worked as a secretary, continued to write angrily, and finally finished the writing of Historical Records. People call his book Taishi Gongshu. It is the first biography of China, which has a far-reaching influence on later historiography. Historical Records is an excellent literary work with vivid language and vivid image. Sima Qian also wrote a book, Bao Ren 'an, describing his imprisonment and his ambition to write a book, which was praised by all previous dynasties.
Sima Qian is a great historian in the history of China. "He was imprisoned for his outspoken advice, but he was even more angry because of it. His Historical Records, a famous historian at all times and at all times, left a valuable cultural heritage for the people of China and the people of the world. One, stepfather, is a historian.
Sima Qian, born in five years (BC 145) at the foot of Longmen Mountain (now Hancheng County, Shaanxi Province), was born in the Han Dynasty.
In the third year of Yuanfeng (BC 108), Sima Qian inherited his father Sima Tan's legacy and became an official, and began to sort out and select historical classics from the Royal Library. Sima Qian's ancestors were not very prominent, and the family was in charge of Taishi's position for generations. But Sima Qian and his father were proud of it. In their minds, compiling history is a lofty cause. They devoted their lives to it.
Sima Tan has been preparing to write a history book linking the past and the present. Under the direct guidance of his father, Sima Qian began to learn ancient Chinese at the age of ten. Later, I studied Chunqiu from Dong Zhongshu and Shangshu from Kong Anguo. Sima Qian studied hard, made rapid progress and was full of learning spirit.
When Sima Qian's father died, he took his son by the hand and said to him with tears: "... after I die, you must continue to be a teacher." Don't forget my wish to write a general history in my life. You must inherit my career, don't forget! " This earnest entrustment greatly shocked Sima Qian. He saw his father's rare sense of mission and responsibility as a historian, and he also knew that his father had pinned his unfinished business on himself. Sima Qian lowered his head with tears and replied sadly and firmly, "Son, although I have no talent, I will definitely fulfill your wish."
After Sima Qian made the Taishi Order, he had the opportunity to read books and important materials that could not be seen by the outside world. This provided good conditions for him to write historical records in the future. However, data sorting is very complicated. Due to the confusion of books and national archives at that time, even there was no catalogue to consult, Sima Qian had to look for clues from a large number of wooden slips and silk books, and sort out and textual research on historical materials. Over the past few years, Sima Qian has racked his brains and made great efforts to sort out and textual research historical materials almost every day.
Sima Qian has always remembered his father's legacy and is determined to follow Confucius' example in compiling Spring and Autumn Annals and write a historical work that can also be immortal. In BC 104, Sima Qian presided over the revision of the calendar, and at the same time officially began to write the first part of his masterpiece Historical Records.
Second, the truth of castration.
In the second year of Tianhan (99 BC), Sima Qian, while writing historical records wholeheartedly, encountered unexpected troubles, namely the Liling incident.
This summer, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty sent his favorite younger brother, General Li Guang of the Second Division, to crusade against Xiongnu, and another sent Li Guang's grandson Li Ling to accompany Li Guangli to escort the trench. Li Guang led five thousand foot soldiers out of Juyan, and went deep into Jishan alone, suffering from Khan. Xiongnu besieged Li Ling with 80,000 cavalry. After eight days and nights of fighting, Li Ling killed more than 10,000 Huns, but because he could not get the support of the main force, he ran out of ammunition and was unfortunately captured.
After the news of Li Ling's defeat reached Chang 'an, Emperor Wu hoped that he could die. Later, when I heard that he surrendered, I was furious. The civil and military officials of the Qing Dynasty watched and listened. A few days ago, he praised Li Ling's bravery, and now he echoes Emperor Wu and accuses Li Ling of sin. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty asked the Taishi for Sima Qian's advice. On the one hand, Sima Qian comforted Emperor Wu, on the other hand, he hated those ministers in have it both ways and tried his best to defend Li Ling. He believes that Li Ling is filial to his mother, loyal to his friends, courteous to others, loyal to the soldiers, and often worried about the country's urgent needs regardless of everything, which is an example for a national scholar. Sima Qian hated ministers who only knew how to protect themselves and their families. Now they see that Li Ling's invasion is unfavorable, so they blindly hit people when they are down and exaggerate the charges. He said to Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty: "Li Ling led only 5,000 infantry, went deep into the Huns, fought alone, and killed many enemies, which made great contributions. Without reinforcements, ammunition and food, and desperate, we still fought bravely to kill the enemy. Even the famous soldiers in ancient times were so powerful. Although Li Ling himself failed, he killed many Huns, which is famous all over the world. The reason why he did not die, but surrendered to the Huns, must be to find a suitable opportunity to repay the Han family. "
Sima Qian seems to mean that Li Guangli, the general of the Second Normal University, failed to fulfill his responsibilities. His outspoken remarks angered Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty, who thought that he was defending Li Ling and satirizing Li Guangli, who returned from the failed expedition, and ordered Sima Qian to be put in prison.
After Sima Qian went to prison, the case fell into the hands of Du Zhou, a notorious cruel official at that time. Du Zhou tortured Sima Qian, and Sima Qian endured all kinds of cruel physical and mental torture. In the face of cruel officials, he never gave in or confessed. Sima Qian kept asking himself in prison: "Is this my sin? Is this my sin? " I am a courtier, so I can't express my opinion. "Soon, it was rumored that Li Ling led the Xiongnu soldiers to attack the Han Dynasty. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty believed it and hastily killed Li Ling's mother, wife and son. Sima Qian was also sentenced to death for this incident.
According to the provisions of the criminal law of the Han Dynasty, there are two ways to reduce the death penalty: one is to make amends with 500,000 yuan, and the other is to punish the crime of corruption. Sima Qian's official family is poor, and of course he can't afford so much money for atonement. Corruption not only cruelly destroys people's body and spirit, but also greatly insults people's personality. Sima Qian certainly didn't want to endure such punishment. He even thought of suicide in grief. But later he thought that people always die, but "death is heavier than Mount Tai or lighter than a feather", and the meaning of death is different. He felt that if he "died before the law" in this way, if a cow lost a hair, it would be worthless. He thought of Confucius, Qu Yuan, Zuo Qiuming and Sun Bin, their humiliation and their impressive achievements. Sima Qian suddenly felt full of strength, and he resolutely chose corruption. In the face of the most cruel punishment, Sima Qian suffered to the extreme, but at this time he had no resentment and fear. He has only one belief, that is, he must live and finish Historical Records. "If you live in the intestine nine times a day, you will die suddenly, but you don't know where to go when you go out." Every time I think about my shame, I feel sweaty and have clothes on my back. "It is because he didn't finish the historical records that he survived the humiliation.
Third, make a determined effort to write history books
Sima Qian began reading, sorting out historical materials and preparing for writing after the third year of Yuanfeng (BC 108), and basically completed all the writing plans in the fourth year of Taishigong (BC 93), which lasted for 16 years. This is a great work written by him with all his life energy, painstaking efforts and great physical and mental pain, which always shines brilliantly.
The book includes twelve biographies, thirty aristocratic families, seventy biographies, ten tables, eight books, and five parts, about 526,000.
Is it enough?