Biography of Meng Tian, Chapter 28

Meng Tian was a native of Qi. His grandfather, Meng Ao, came from Qi to serve King Zhao of Qin, attaining the rank of Supreme Minister. In the first year of King Zhuangxiang of Qin, Meng Ao served as a general of Qin, attacked Han, seized Chenggao and Xingyang, and established the Sanchuan Commandery. In the second year of King Zhuangxiang, Meng Ao attacked Zhao and captured thirty-seven cities. In the third year of Qin Shi Huang, Meng Ao attacked Han and took thirteen cities. In the fifth year of Qin Shi Huang, Meng Ao attacked Wei, captured twenty cities, and established the Dong Commandery. In the seventh year of Qin Shi Huang, Meng Ao died. Meng Ao’s son was Meng Wu, and Meng Wu’s son was Meng Tian. Meng Tian studied criminal law and was in charge of cases and clerical work. In the twenty-third year of Qin Shi Huang, Meng Wu served as a deputy general of Qin, joined Wang Jian in attacking Chu, decisively defeated the Chu army, and killed Xiang Yan. In the twenty-fourth year of Qin Shi Huang, Meng Wu attacked Chu and captured the King of Chu. Meng Tian’s younger brother was Meng Yi.

In the twenty-sixth year of Qin Shi Huang, Meng Tian, by virtue of his family background, became a general of Qin, attacked Qi, and greatly defeated the Qi army. He was appointed Neishi (Commandant of the Capital). After Qin had unified the world, it sent Meng Tian to lead three hundred thousand troops northward to expel the Rong and Di barbarians, recovering the region south of the Yellow River. He built the Great Wall, adapting to the terrain and utilizing strategic passes, starting from Lintao and extending to Liaodong, covering more than ten thousand li. Then he crossed the Yellow River, occupied Yangshan, and wound northward. The army camped in the wilderness for over ten years, stationed at Shang Commandery. At this time, Meng Tian’s prestige intimidated the Xiongnu. Qin Shi Huang greatly honored and trusted the Meng family, believing them to be worthy. He also favored Meng Yi, promoting him to the rank of Supreme Minister, sharing the same carriage when going out and attending upon the emperor when entering court. Meng Tian handled external affairs, while Meng Yi often offered strategic counsel within the court; they were called loyal and trustworthy officials, so even other generals and the chancellor dared not contend with them for power.

Zhao Gao was a distant relative of the Zhao royal clan. Zhao Gao and his brothers were all born in the Hidden Palace; his mother had suffered punishment, and their family had been lowly for generations. Qin Shi Huang, hearing that Zhao Gao was capable in affairs and proficient in criminal law, promoted him to the position of Zhongche Fuli (Director of the Imperial Carriage Office). Zhao Gao privately served Prince Huhai, teaching him to handle legal cases. Zhao Gao committed a major crime, and Qin Shi Huang ordered Meng Yi to punish him according to law. Meng Yi did not dare to violate the law, sentenced Zhao Gao to death, and stripped him of his eunuch office. Because Zhao Gao was diligent in his duties, Qin Shi Huang pardoned him and restored his office and rank.

Qin Shi Huang wanted to tour the empire, taking the route from Jiuyuan to Ganquan, so he ordered Meng Tian to open a road from Jiuyuan to Ganquan, cutting through mountains and filling valleys, a distance of one thousand eight hundred li. The road was not completed.

In the winter of the thirty-seventh year of Qin Shi Huang, the emperor traveled on a tour to Kuai Ji, followed the coast northward, and went on to Langya. Falling ill on the way, he sent Meng Yi back to pray to the spirits of the mountains and rivers. Meng Yi had not yet returned.

When Qin Shi Huang reached Shaqiu, he died. The news was kept secret, and none of the ministers knew. At this time, Chancellor Li Si, Prince Huhai, and Zhongche Fuli Zhao Gao were frequently in attendance. Zhao Gao had long been favored by Huhai and wanted to establish Huhai as emperor. He also resented Meng Yi for punishing him according to law without making allowances for him. Thus, he harbored malicious intentions and secretly plotted with Li Si and Prince Huhai to establish Huhai as the Heir Apparent. After the Heir Apparent was established, he sent an envoy to blame Prince Fusu and Meng Tian and order them to die. Fusu died, but Meng Tian suspected and requested reconsideration. The envoy handed Meng Tian over to the judicial officials and sent someone else to replace his post. Huhai appointed a retainer of Li Si as the Inspector of the Army. When the envoy returned and reported, Huhai, having heard that Fusu was dead, wanted to release Meng Tian. Zhao Gao, fearing that the Meng family would again become prominent and hold power, bore a grudge against them.

When Meng Yi returned, Zhao Gao took the opportunity to pretend to act out of loyalty to Huhai and to plot to eliminate the Meng family. He said, “I have heard that the late emperor long ago wished to select a worthy person and establish the Heir Apparent, but Meng Yi advised against it, saying, ‘It cannot be done.’ If he knew of a worthy person and delayed the establishment, that is disloyalty and deluding the ruler. In my humble opinion, it would be better to kill him.” Huhai followed this advice and imprisoned Meng Yi in Dai Commandery. Earlier, Meng Tian had already been imprisoned in Yangzhou. The funeral cortege arrived at Xianyang, and after the burial, the Heir Apparent ascended the throne as the Second Emperor. Zhao Gao, being close to the Second Emperor, slandered the Meng family day and night, searching for their faults and impeaching them.

Prince Ying remonstrated, saying, “I have heard that in former times, King Qian of Zhao killed his good minister Li Mu and employed Yan Ju; King Xi of Yan secretly adopted the strategy of Jing Ke and violated his covenant with Qin; King Jian of Qi killed the loyal ministers of previous generations and adopted the advice of Hou Sheng. These three rulers each lost their states because they changed the ancient ways, and disaster befell their persons. Now the Meng family are the ministers and strategists of Qin, and Your Majesty wishes to discard them at once. I privately consider this inadvisable. I have heard that one who lightly considers matters cannot govern a state, and one who acts arbitrarily cannot preserve the ruler. To kill loyal ministers and set up those without integrity and conduct is to cause mutual distrust among the ministers within and to dissipate the fighting spirit of the soldiers without. I privately consider this inadvisable.”

Huhai did not listen. Instead, he sent the Imperial Censor Qu Gong by post-horse to Dai Commandery to order Meng Yi, saying, “The late emperor intended to establish the Heir Apparent, but you obstructed him. Now the Chancellor considers you disloyal, and the guilt extends to your clan. I cannot bear this, so I grant you death, which is indeed fortunate. Consider this yourself!” Meng Yi replied, “If it is said that I did not understand the late emperor’s intention, then I served as an official in my youth, following his will until his death—this can be said to have understood his mind. If it is said that I did not know the Heir Apparent’s worthiness, then the Heir Apparent alone accompanied the late emperor, traveling throughout the world, far surpassing the other princes—I had no reason to doubt. The late emperor’s selection of the Heir Apparent was the result of years of accumulation. How would I dare to speak any remonstrance, how would I dare to offer any strategy! I do not dare to use glib words to escape death, but I only fear to tarnish the late emperor’s reputation. I hope that you, Sir, will consider this and allow me to die in accordance with the truth. Moreover, to fulfill a good name is what righteousness values; to execute punishment and kill is what righteousness terminates. In former times, Duke Mu of Qin killed three good ministers for burial, and condemned Baili Xi for a crime that was not his fault, so his posthumous title was ‘Miu.’ King Zhao of Qin killed the Lord of Wu’an, Bai Qi. King Ping of Chu killed Wu She. King Fuchai of Wu killed Wu Zixu. These four rulers all committed great errors, and the world criticized them, considering their lords unwise. Thus these matters spread among the feudal lords. Therefore it is said, ‘Those who govern by righteousness do not kill the innocent, and punishment is not applied to those without blame.’ I hope you, Sir, will give this careful thought!” The envoy knew Huhai’s intent and did not listen to Meng Yi’s words, so he killed him.

The Second Emperor again sent a messenger to Yangzhou, commanding Meng Tian, saying: “Your offenses are too numerous, and your younger brother Meng Yi has committed a great crime; according to the law, it implicates you.” Meng Tian said: “From my ancestors down to their descendants, we have accumulated merit and good faith in the state of Qin for three generations. Now I command over three hundred thousand troops, and though I am imprisoned, my power is sufficient to rebel. Yet I know that I must die and hold fast to righteousness, because I dare not disgrace the teachings of my forefathers, nor forget the former sovereign. In former times, when King Cheng of Zhou had just ascended the throne and had not yet left his swaddling clothes, the Duke of Zhou carried King Cheng on his back to hold court, and ultimately stabilized the realm. When King Cheng fell gravely ill and was in danger, the Duke of Zhou cut off his own fingernails and sank them into the Yellow River, saying: ‘The king is young and without knowledge; it is I who manage the affairs of state. If there is any crime or calamity, I will bear this misfortune.’ He then wrote a prayer and stored it in the archives—this can be called loyalty. When King Cheng later came to govern the state, a treacherous minister said: ‘The Duke of Zhou has long intended to rebel; if the king does not guard against him, a great disaster will surely occur.’ King Cheng then became greatly angry, and the Duke of Zhou fled to Chu. Later, King Cheng went to the archives and inspected them, obtaining the Duke of Zhou’s prayer about sinking his nails into the river. He then wept and said: ‘Who said the Duke of Zhou intended to rebel?’ He killed the one who had spoken thus and had the Duke of Zhou returned. Therefore, the Book of Zhou says: ‘One must always cross-check and verify.’ Now our Meng clan has served for generations without divided loyalty, yet matters have come to this pass. This must be the result of treacherous ministers causing chaos and deceiving from within. King Cheng had faults but corrected them, and ultimately the state prospered; Jie of Xia killed Guan Longfeng, and Zhou of Shang killed Prince Bigan without regret, and ultimately both lost their states and died. Therefore, I say that faults can be corrected and remonstrance can bring awakening. Examining the method of cross-checking and verification is the principle of the highest sages. The words I speak are not to seek pardon for my crimes, but to remonstrate and then die, hoping that Your Majesty will consider the welfare of the myriad people and follow the correct path.” The messenger said: “I have received the imperial edict to carry out the law against the general; I dare not report the general’s words to the sovereign.” Meng Tian sighed deeply and said: “What crime have I committed against Heaven, that I should die without fault?” After a long pause, he said slowly: “My crime indeed deserves death. From Lintao to Liaodong, I built walls and dug moats for over ten thousand li—how could this not have severed the veins of the earth? This is my crime.” He then took poison and killed himself.

The Grand Historian says: I traveled to the northern border, returning by the Straight Road, and observed along the way the watchtowers and fortifications of the Great Wall that Meng Tian built for the Qin, cutting through mountains and filling valleys, opening the Straight Road—truly he treated the people’s labor and resources lightly. When Qin had just eliminated the various feudal lords, the hearts of the realm were not yet settled, and wounds were still unhealed. Yet Meng Tian, as a renowned general, did not at this time exert himself to offer remonstrance, rescue the people from distress, care for the aged, comfort orphans, and promote harmony among the people. Instead, he flattered and accommodated, undertaking construction projects. Thus, that he and his brother were executed—was this not fitting? Why blame the veins of the earth?

The Meng clan were generals of Qin; Neishi Meng Tian was loyal and capable. The Great Wall began to be built, and the ten-thousand-li border was settled. Zhao Gao forged the imperial edict, and thus Fusu died. What crime was there in severing the veins of the earth? Oppressing the people was the calamity. Crying out to Heaven, they tried to speak; for three generations, this was indeed the case.