As a Han Chinese, why did Li Ling choose to join the Huns and not return to the Han?

The reason why Li Ling chose not to come back to the Huns was because he was worried that after returning to the Han Dynasty, he would be humiliated again for surrendering to the Huns. When Li Ling's troops were surrounded by the Xiongnu, he chose to surrender. As a result, Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was very angry when he found out, and officials in the court also reported attacks on Li Ling. Later, the Xiongnu also released news that Li Ling had completely surrendered to the Xiongnu, and had been placed in high regard by the Xiongnu. Li Ling also helped the Xiongnu train their troops. When Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty heard the news, he was so angry that he directly destroyed the three Li Ling clans without verifying the authenticity of the news. Even the soldiers who followed Li Ling were implicated. Li Ling was heartbroken when he found out, so he gave up the idea of ??going back.

Li Ling is the grandson of Li Guang. He has been very talented in riding and archery skills since he was a child. When Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty saw Li Ling, he felt that he was very similar to Li Guang, so he gave Li Ling the command of 800 cavalry. Li Ling took the 800 cavalry around the Xiongnu territory and came back unscathed. He also drew a topographic map of the places he walked. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty was very happy and gave Li Ling another 5,000 infantrymen to command. Later, when he went to conquer the Xiongnu, Li Ling told Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty that as long as he brought these five thousand soldiers, Li Ling could directly attack the royal court of the Xiongnu. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty asked him to take the five thousand soldiers.

Unexpectedly, Li Ling's traces were discovered by the Huns. At that time, Li Ling had penetrated deep into the territory of the Huns. He retreated while fighting, but was finally surrounded by the Huns, and Li Ling chose to surrender. When they learned that Li Ling had surrendered, the government and the public were shocked. No one expected that Li Guang's grandson would actually surrender to the Huns. At that time, everyone thought that Li Ling should be punished. Only Sima Qian said a few good words to Li Ling. But at this time, the Xiongnu also released news that Li Ling was helping the Xiongnu train their troops. This was so serious that Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty directly destroyed the three Li Ling clans. Even Sima Qian was castrated for this.

Li Ling was unwilling to return to the Han Dynasty and chose to live the rest of his life with the Huns, probably because the way home was blocked and he had no way to come back.