“Meng Tian: Architect of Qin’s Great Wall”

Meng Tian, he was of Qi descent. Meng’s father, the great Meng Ao, served under the name Qi, pronounced as ‘Ao’. He started his career in Qin during the reign of King Zhao, eventually rising to the position of chief minister. In the first year of King Zhuangxiang of Qin, Meng Ao became a Qin general and launched campaigns against Han, capturing Chenggao and Xingyang, establishing the Three Rivers commandery. In the second year, Meng Ao attacked Zhao, seizing thirty-seven cities. In the third year of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, Meng Ao attacked Han, capturing thirteen cities. In the fifth year, he attacked Wei, capturing twenty cities and establishing the Dong commandery. In the seventh year of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, Meng Ao passed away. His son, named Wu, and Wu’s son, named Tian, were also known for their literary prowess. In the twenty-third year of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s reign, Meng Wu served as Qin’s auxiliary general and, alongside Wang Jian, attacked Chu, achieving a great victory and slaying Xiang Yan. In the twenty-fourth year, Meng Wu attacked Chu again, capturing the Chu king. Meng Tian had a younger brother named Yi. In the twenty-sixth year of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s reign, Meng Tian rose in the military ranks due to his family background, leading an attack on Qi and achieving a major victory, subsequently appointed as the Interior Minister. With Qin united under its rule, Meng Tian was tasked with leading three hundred thousand troops to drive out the northern barbarians, reclaiming Henan, now known as Ling and Sheng provinces. He built the Great Wall, adapting to the terrain to fortify the borders, extending from Lin Tao, as Xu Guang stated, belonging to Longxi, to Liaodong, as noted in the interpretation. The wall stretched over ten thousand miles. He crossed the Yellow River, stationed at Yangshan, winding northward. Leading expeditions outside the borders for over ten years, he resided in Shang commandery. During this period, Meng Tian’s influence intimidated the Xiongnu. Emperor Qin Shi Huang highly esteemed the Meng clan, trusting those of talent. He was particularly close to Meng Yi, who rose to chief minister and accompanied the emperor in his outings and attended him in the court. Tian managed external affairs, while Yi frequently handled internal strategy, known for their loyalty and trustworthiness, such that none of the other generals or ministers dared to challenge them. Zhao Gao was distant relative of the Zhao clan. Several of Zhao Gao’s brothers were born secretly in the palace. According to Xu Guang, “eunuchs.” Liu’s family said, “After their father’s sentence, their wives and children became slaves and concubines, and their wives had children with them, so they are called ‘brothers born secretly in the palace’. Refers to the ‘palace’ where the chief eunuch lives. “The” Yun Palace “refers to the court and the concubine who secretly fathered Zhao Gao’s brother a few days later. High, being exulted, toas through praise fortunate to cut the were years. Shi soon himself far for is said were event; on The thus.