Li Meng

Historical Record

Historical records of Li Meng are exceedingly scarce; the official histories such as the Records of the Three Kingdoms contain no clear biography or detailed account of his deeds. This indicates that Li Meng's standing in history was not prominent, or that his activities did not rise to a level that drew the historians' attention. As a result, it is impossible to sketch out from the historical materials his life, origins, specific offices, or any event that affected the course of history. The official histories' records of the members of Dong Zhuo's faction focus mostly on core figures such as Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and Fan Chou, while figures like Li Meng are often submerged in the flood of history, leaving no independent ink. Thus, we cannot make any objective account or assessment of him from the sources.

In the Novel

In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Li Meng, as a member of Dong Zhuo's faction, has his image shaped chiefly through two key events. His first appearance comes after Dong Zhuo was assassinated by Lü Bu, when Li Meng and Wang Fang, as remnants of Dong Zhuo's faction, played the important role of inside agents during the attack on Chang'an by Li Jue, Guo Si, and others. They "acted as the rebels' inside agents within the city, stealthily opened the city gates, and the rebel armies from four directions all surged in together", directly bringing about the fall of Chang'an, the death of Wang Yun in service of the state, and Lü Bu's forced flight. This episode highlights Li Meng's loyalty as a former subordinate of Dong Zhuo (or his attachment to Li Jue and the others) and his betrayal at the crucial moment, driving the plot forward and laying the groundwork for the ensuing chaos of war.

Li Meng's second appearance comes when Ma Teng and Han Sui's allied forces campaigned against Li Jue and Guo Si. Facing the menacing Xiliang Army, the adviser Jia Xu proposed the strategy of "deep trenches and high ramparts, holding firm to resist them," reasoning that they could exhaust the enemy's grain and win without battle. However, Li Meng and Wang Fang showed an entirely opposite attitude; they "came forward and said: 'This is no good plan. We ask to borrow ten thousand crack troops and at once cut off the heads of Ma Teng and Han Sui to present beneath your banner.'". They sneered at Jia Xu's plan and boasted that if they were defeated they would willingly be beheaded, and if they won, Jia Xu should forfeit his head. This image of reckless, conceited rashness leaps off the page. Although Jia Xu predicted "if we give battle now, we will surely be routed", Li Jue and Guo Si still granted Li Meng and Wang Fang's request and allotted them fifteen thousand troops. This episode not only displays Li Meng's recklessness and lack of strategic vision but also lays the groundwork for the ensuing defeat, further enriching his character in the novel. The histories contain no clear record of Li Meng's involvement in these events; these episodes are entirely the literary creation of Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

Key Relationships

* Dong Zhuo's Faction: Li Meng was a member of Dong Zhuo's Faction (novel only). After Dong Zhuo's death, he quickly attached himself to the remnants of the faction such as Li Jue and Guo Si and assisted them in taking Chang'an. This relationship shows that his interests were tightly bound to Dong Zhuo's faction, of which he was a part.
* Li Jue and Guo Si: Li Meng was a subordinate of Li Jue and Guo Si (novel only). He followed the two men's orders and, in the campaigns to attack Chang'an and to oppose Ma Teng and Han Sui, directly requested commands and accepted tasks from them. This reflects his subordinate position among Dong Zhuo's remnants.
* Wang Fang: Li Meng and Wang Fang frequently appear together in the novel as partners fighting side by side (novel only). Whether as inside agents within Chang'an or jointly requesting battle when challenging Ma Teng and Han Sui, the two showed a high degree of consistency, forming a small military unit.
* Jia Xu: There is clear opposition between Li Meng and Jia Xu (novel only). Jia Xu, as an adviser, was known for his deep and far-sighted strategies, while Li Meng, with his reckless, rash attitude, stands in sharp contrast to Jia Xu. Their divergence on military strategy highlights Li Meng's rashness and Jia Xu's wisdom.

Iconic Scenes

* Inside agent within Chang'an: After Dong Zhuo's death, Li Meng and Wang Fang, as remnants of Dong Zhuo's faction, acted as inside agents during Li Jue and Guo Si's attack on Chang'an. They "stealthily opened the city gates, and the rebel armies from four directions all surged in together", causing Chang'an to fall swiftly, Wang Yun to die in service of the state, and Lü Bu to flee in defeat. This scene is Li Meng's first appearance in the novel; it directly brought about the change of masters over Chang'an, had a far-reaching effect on the political landscape of the time, and established his image as a member of Dong Zhuo's remnants. (novel only)
* Requesting battle against Ma Teng and Han Sui: When Ma Teng and Han Sui's allied forces pressed upon the city, facing the holding strategy proposed by Jia Xu, Li Meng and Wang Fang showed extreme conceit and contempt for the enemy. They volunteered, demanding to "borrow ten thousand crack troops and at once cut off the heads of Ma Teng and Han Sui", and made a military pledge with Jia Xu. This scene fully displays Li Meng's recklessness and lack of strategic vision, and foreshadows his eventual defeat; it is the most concentrated embodiment of his character traits. (novel only)