Meng Tian's ancestors were from the state of Qi. His grandfather, Meng Ao, defected from Qi to serve King Zhao of Qin and rose to the position of a high-ranking minister. In the first year of King Zhuangxiang of Qin, Meng Ao was a military commander, conquering Chenggao and Xingyang from the state of Han and establishing the Sanchuan prefecture. In the second year, he attacked the state of Zhao and took thirty-seven cities. In the third year of Qin Shi Huang, Meng Ao attacked Han again, capturing thirteen cities. In the fifth year, he attacked Wei, conquering twenty cities and establishing the Dong prefecture. Meng Ao died in the seventh year of Qin Shi Huang. His son was named Meng Wu, and Meng Tian was Meng Wu's son. Meng Tian once worked as a clerk in a prison. In the twenty-third year of Qin Shi Huang, Meng Wu served as the deputy commander of Qin and, along with Wang Jian, attacked the state of Chu, winning a decisive victory and killing Xiang Yan. In the twenty-fourth year, Meng Wu attacked Chu again and captured the king of Chu. He also had a younger brother, Meng Yi.
In the 26th year of Qin Shi Huang's reign, Meng Tian, relying on his family's achievements, became a general of the Qin state, attacked the Qi state, won a great victory, and was appointed as Grand Historian. After the unification of the country by the Qin state, Meng Tian led three hundred thousand soldiers to the north to expel the Xiongnu and reclaim the land south of the Yellow River. He built the Great Wall, utilized the terrain, and established fortified passes, stretching from Lintao to Liaodong for over ten thousand li. Then he crossed the Yellow River, occupied Yangshan, and continued his northward sweep. Meng Tian led the army in external battles for over ten years, stationed in Shangjun. At that time, Meng Tian's reputation struck fear into the Xiongnu. Qin Shi Huang highly respected the Meng clan, trusted, and valued them. He was particularly close to Meng Yi, who rose to the rank of Chief Minister. When going out, Qin Shi Huang would let him sit in the seat of honor beside him, and when entering the palace, he would serve by the emperor's side. Meng Tian was responsible for external military affairs, while Meng Yi was in charge of internal political planning. The two brothers were known for their loyalty, so no one in the court dared to compete with them for credit.
Zhao Gao was a commoner from a remote area of the Zhao state. Zhao Gao and his brothers grew up in a secluded part of the palace; their mother had been punished, and their family had been humble for generations. Qin Shi Huang heard that Zhao Gao was capable and knowledgeable in criminal law, so he promoted him to be the director of the Central Chariot Office. Zhao Gao secretly communicated with Prince Hu Hai, teaching him how to handle cases. Zhao Gao committed a serious crime, and Qin Shi Huang ordered Meng Yi to deal with him according to the law. Meng Yi, not daring to act unjustly, sentenced Zhao Gao to death based on his crimes and revoked his position as a eunuch. However, because the emperor appreciated Zhao Gao's dedication, he pardoned him and restored his official position.
Qin Shi Huang wanted to make a grand tour of the empire, planning to depart from Jiu Yuan and travel all the way to Ganquan. Therefore, he had Meng Tian construct a road from Jiu Yuan to Ganquan, involving cutting through mountains and filling valleys, spanning one thousand eight hundred li. This road has not yet been completed.
In the winter of the thirty-seventh year of Qin Shi Huang's reign, he traveled to Kuài jī (Kuaiji) and then journeyed northward along the coast to Láng yá (Langya). He fell ill on the way and sent Meng Yi back to offer sacrifices to the mountains and rivers to ensure his safe return, but he had not yet returned. Qin Shi Huang succumbed to illness at Shaqiu, and this matter was handled secretly, leaving the ministers unaware. At that time, Prime Minister Li Si, Prince Hu Hai, and Zhao Gao, the director of the Central Chariot Office, were serving by his side. Zhao Gao was favored by Hu Hai and wanted to make him emperor. He resented Meng Yi for having punished him according to the law in the past and harbored malicious intent. So, he secretly conspired with Prime Minister Li Si and Prince Hu Hai to establish Hu Hai as the crown prince. As soon as the crown prince was appointed, messengers were sent to execute Prince Fusu and Meng Tian on trumped-up charges. With Fusu already dead, Meng Tian was puzzled and requested an explanation in a memorial. The messenger stated that Meng Tian was an official of the court and needed to be reassigned. Hu Hai appointed Li Si's associates as the guards. When the messenger returned to report the situation, Hu Hai had already heard of Fusu's death and wanted to pardon Meng Tian. Zhao Gao, fearing the Meng clan would regain power and harboring hatred towards them, thwarted the pardon. When Meng Yi returned, Zhao Gao seized the opportunity to advise Hu Hai to eliminate the Meng clan, saying, "I heard that the late emperor wanted to select talented individuals for the crown prince, but Meng Yi advised against it. If he knew who was talented and didn't pick him, that's disloyal – playing games with the Emperor!" After hearing Zhao Gao's words, Hu Hai imprisoned Meng Yi in Dai. Meng Tian had already been imprisoned in Yangzhou. After Qin Shi Huang's coffin was brought back to Xianyang and buried, Hu Hai ascended the throne and became the second emperor of Qin. Zhao Gao grew even closer to Hu Hai, poisoning his ear against the Meng clan and constantly searching for reasons to accuse them.
Ziying said, "They say the former King Zhao killed his loyal minister Li Mu and favored Yan Ju. King Yan secretly listened to Jing Ke's plot and violated the agreement with the Qin state. King Qi Jian killed his old minister and favored the strategy of Hou Sheng. These three monarchs all lost their countries and brought disaster upon themselves by scrapping their old systems. Now the Meng clan serves as ministers and strategists of the Qin state, but the emperor wants to suddenly abandon them. I think this is a bad idea. I’ve heard that rash people can’t govern a country, and relying solely on clever people can’t protect a monarch. Killing loyal ministers and promoting weasels? Your court will lose faith. Your army will crumble."
Hu Hai just blew him off. He then sent an imperial censor, Qu Gong, who galloped to Daijun to deliver a message to Meng Yi, saying, "The late emperor wanted to establish a crown prince, but you obstructed it. Now the prime minister says you are disloyal to me and wants to implicate your family. Look, I’m letting you off easy. Consider it a mercy. I’m giving you the death penalty. You’re dead!"
Meng Yi replied, "If I couldn't read the late Emperor's mind, then a long, quiet life would be my reward for understanding him. If I do not know whether the crown prince is capable, the crown prince, alone, traveled the length and breadth of the empire, utterly isolated from the other princes; what reason do I have to doubt? The late emperor decided to crown the crown prince after years of planning; how dare I say anything against it or have any other thoughts! It's not about saving my own skin; it's about protecting the Emperor's good name. So, give me a fair shake, and let me die knowing why. Furthermore, following moral principles and achieving great things is fundamental; the quick resort to violence leads to the downfall of a nation. Duke Mu of Qin killed three loyal ministers, and the blame fell on Bai Qi, who was posthumously given the negative title of 'Miao.' King Zhaoxiang killed Lord Wu'an Bai Qi; King Ping of Chu killed Wu She; King Fuchai of Wu killed Wu Zixu. These four monarchs all made grave mistakes and were criticized by the people, deemed unwise by the other states. So, a moral ruler doesn't kill innocents or punish the innocent. I hope you will consider this carefully." The envoy understood Hu Hai's intentions and, without listening to Meng Yi's explanations, had him killed. Qin Er Shi sent an envoy to Yangzhou to find Meng Tian, saying, "General, you have made too many mistakes, and your brother Meng Yi has committed a serious crime. According to the law, even as an inner minister, you will be implicated." Upon hearing this, Meng Tian shot back, "My family has served the three Qin emperors faithfully, and we've got the record to prove it. I command 300,000 men, and even in chains, I could still raise a rebellion. However, I know I will die without doubt, yet I still adhere to my principles, not daring to tarnish the teachings of my ancestors or betray the grace of the late king."
He continued, "Long ago, when King Cheng of Zhou had just ascended the throne and was too young to speak, the Duke of Zhou took him to meet the ministers and ultimately brought peace to the kingdom. Later, when King Cheng was gravely ill, the situation became critical; the Duke of Zhou even performed a ritual, casting his own fingernails into the river as a symbolic act of taking responsibility, saying, 'The King is still young; I will handle the affairs of state. If there are any wrongdoings, I will bear the responsibility.' He then wrote down these words and hid them in the archives, which is enough to prove his loyalty! When King Cheng grew up and was able to govern the country, a treacherous minister slandered him by claiming, 'The Duke of Zhou has long wanted to rebel. If you are not careful, King, there will surely be chaos!' King Cheng flew into a rage upon hearing this, and the Duke of Zhou had to flee to the state of Chu. Later, when King Cheng reviewed the archives and found the Duke of Zhou's original oath, tears welled up in his eyes, and he said, 'Who said the Duke of Zhou wanted to rebel?!' So he killed that treacherous minister and invited the Duke of Zhou back. Therefore, the Book of Zhou says, 'One must conduct a thorough investigation.'
"Now, my family has served the court loyally for generations, only to meet this fate. There must be treacherous ministers scheming behind the scenes! Although King Cheng of Zhou made mistakes initially, he eventually corrected them, and the country prospered as a result; whereas Xia Jie killed Guan Longfeng, and King Zhou of Shang killed Prince Bi Gan, they remained unrepentant, and what was the result? They all died, and the country perished. So I say, mistakes can be corrected, and advice can be accepted. A thorough investigation is the practice of a wise monarch. My words are not meant to shirk my responsibility, but to offer a heartfelt plea, hoping Your Majesty will consider the welfare of the people and follow the right path!" The messenger said, "I am ordered to execute the sentence against you, General, and cannot relay your words to His Majesty." Meng Tian let out a long sigh and said, "What crime have I committed to warrant this unjust death?"
After a while, Meng Tian slowly said, "I really deserve to die. I built walls and moats all the way from Lintao to Liaodong, covering countless miles. Was there really no place where I disrupted the earth's veins? This is my fault!" After speaking, he killed himself by taking poison.
Sima Qian said, "I just returned from the north, taking the straight road, and all the way I saw the Great Wall and pavilions built by Meng Tian for the Qin state. Those projects of cutting mountains and filling valleys, really consumed a lot of effort from the common people! The land was still recovering from the recent wars. Meng Tian, as a famous general, should have advised Emperor Qin Shi Huang to reduce the burden on the people at that time, instead of just flattering and indulging him, undertaking huge construction projects. This led to the execution of his brothers, wasn't that his own fault?
The thing is, after the Qin conquest, there were many things to be done. The people were still reeling from the war, suffering heavy losses and hardship. As a great general, Meng Tian should have focused on pacifying the people, recuperating and rejuvenating, helping out those in need, looking after the old and vulnerable, and letting people live their lives in peace. But he chose to please Emperor Qin Shi Huang, and only wanted to build those projects that were a waste of manpower and money, putting the cart before the horse! His brothers were killed as a result; he only had himself to blame. Blaming it on bad feng shui? Give me a break!"
