Active research is being conducted not only in China but also in Korea about the famous Chinese poet Qu Yuan. His continued interest in and research on Qu Yuan is closely related to his image of a “patriotic poet.” Sima Qian contributed greatly to the formation of the image of the patriotic poet Qu Yuan. The Qu Yuan and Jia Yi included in the same biography by Sima Qian were both excellent poets. They all acted loyally, but were criticized and died prematurely. In their biography, Sima Qian shows the result of a monarch who did not listen to his loyal servants. At the same time, Sima Qian suggests a path for a subject who is not recognized by the monarch. “You don't necessarily have to stick to just one master.” His thoughts were dangerous to be written outrightly, so he wrote them carefully. Sima Qian's unconventional thoughts like this represent his position on Li Ling.