Emperor Wu interpreted Sima's defence of Li as an attack on his brother-in-law, Li Guangli, who had also fought against the Xiongnu without much success, and sentenced Sima to death.
Perandori Wu interpretoi mbrojtjen e Sima nga Li si një sulm ndaj vëllait të tij, Li Guangli, i cili kishte luftuar gjithashtu kundër Xiongnu pa shumë sukses, dhe e dënoi Sima-n me vdekje.