The Story of Meng Jiangnu

During the Qin Dynasty, a young woman named Meng Jiangnu lived a peaceful life until she married the scholar Fan Xiliang. Their happiness was short-lived, as imperial soldiers soon arrived to conscript Fan for the construction of the Great Wall. Seasons passed with no word from him. When winter's chill arrived, Meng Jiangnu hand-sewed warm clothes and embarked on a perilous journey of thousands of miles to find him. Upon reaching the wall, she received the devastating news that her husband had died from exhaustion and was buried beneath the stones. Overcome with agonizing grief, she sat by the wall and wept for three days and nights. Her sorrow was so powerful that the earth shook, and a massive section of the wall collapsed, revealing the remains of the laborers, including her beloved Fan. Confronted by the furious Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who was struck by her beauty, she demanded a proper burial for her husband and then leaped into the sea, choosing to join her husband in death rather than live as the Emperor's consort.

“Even the sturdiest walls built by men cannot withstand the force of a heart broken by injustice.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the moral of The Story of Meng Jiangnu?

The story emphasizes that love and the human spirit are more enduring than stone and cannot be suppressed by tyranny. It serves as a critique of the harsh labor used to build the Great Wall.

Why did the Great Wall collapse in the story?

The wall collapsed because of the intensity of Meng Jiangnu's grief; her tears and three days of continuous weeping were so powerful they caused the physical structure to crumble.

Who was Meng Jiangnu's husband?

Her husband was Fan Xiliang, a scholar who was forced into hard labor by the Qin Dynasty to help build the Great Wall shortly after their marriage.

Is the story of Meng Jiangnu a true story?

While based on historical themes regarding the building of the Great Wall and the hardships of the Qin Dynasty, it is a folk legend rather than a documented historical event.

What happened to Meng Jiangnu at the end of the story?

After ensuring her husband received a proper burial, she defied Emperor Qin Shi Huang's advances and leaped into the sea to remain loyal to her husband.

Which dynasty is the story set in?

The story is set during the Qin Dynasty (221–206 BC), the period during which the first Emperor of China began the massive project of connecting and building the Great Wall.