| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 孟坦, 孟坦, Mèng Tǎn |
| Other name | Mạnh Thản |
| INFORMATION | |
| Died | 200 |
| Death Reason | Cleaved in two by Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ) during a feigned retreat at the second pass (Xingyang/Luoyang) (200 AD, novel) |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Cao Cao |
| Battles | Crossing Five Passes and Slaying Six Generals (novel) |
Biography & Historical Record
Meng Tan (孟坦, Mạnh Thản) (died 200 AD in the novel) is a fictional deputy under Grand Administrator Han Fu (Wei) (韩福, Hàn Phúc) at the second checkpoint of Guan Yu’s literary flight from Xuchang—often named Xingyang / Luoyang Pass in chapter retellings of Crossing Five Passes and Slaying Six Generals.
After Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ) kills Kong Xiu (孔秀, Khổng Tú) at the first pass, Han Fu and Meng Tan refuse to rely on open combat. Meng Tan proposes caltrops on the road, a dual-sword challenge, and a feigned retreat so Han Fu can shoot from the gate. When Guan Yu arrives without a formal pass from Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo), Meng Tan rides out, lasts fewer than three bouts, and turns to flee—but Red Hare (赤兔马, Ngựa Xích Thố) closes instantly. Guan Yu cuts Meng Tan in two from behind with the Green Dragon Crescent Blade (青龙偃月刀, Thanh Long Yển Nguyệt Đao). Han Fu’s arrow still wounds Guan Yu’s arm; Guan Yu storms the gate and kills Han Fu anyway.
Historically, Meng Tan does not appear in the Records of the Three Kingdoms. Guan Yu’s departure from Cao Cao is recorded without this chain of named pass guardians; the lure-and-snipe duel is Luo Guanzhong’s invention to stage Guan Yu’s martial supremacy and Red Hare’s speed.
Role in Romance of the Three Kingdoms
In Chapter 27, Meng Tan is the scheming subordinate who designs the Xingyang ambush. His death mid-feint—overtaken before he can reach the sniper zone—turns the trap into a double disaster: both the duelist and the archer-governor die, and Guan Yu’s convoy continues toward the Yellow River with Lady Gan and Lady Mi.
Meng Tan (孟坦) — Literary Timeline
Counsel after Kong Xiu’s death
With Han Fu, plans caltrops, a dual-sword lure, and a gate ambush to stop Guan Yu without a fair duel.
Feigned retreat and death
Engages Guan Yu, flees after a few passes, and is overtaken on Red Hare and cleaved in two before Han Fu’s arrow plot can finish.
Meng Tan is a novel-only figure; see the site article on Crossing Five Passes for the full six-generals sequence.
Key Relationships
Family
- No information
Friends
- Han Fu (Wei) (韩福, Hàn Phúc) — Superior at the second pass; co-author of the failed ambush (not to be confused with Ji Province’s Han Fu (韩馥, Hàn Phức)).
- Kong Xiu (孔秀, Khổng Tú) — Fellow pass guardian whose death triggers their desperate scheme.
Enemies
- Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ) — Kills Meng Tan during the five-pass journey while escorting Liu Bei’s wives.
Other
- Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo) — Overlord whose corridor garrisons Meng Tan serves.
- Red Hare (赤兔马, Ngựa Xích Thố) — Steed whose speed ruins Meng Tan’s feigned retreat.
Appearance
In Novel
Chapter 27
- Meng Tan (孟坦, Mạnh Thản): Deputy of Han Fu (Wei) (韩福, Hàn Phúc) at the second pass. After Kong Xiu (孔秀, Khổng Tú) falls, he advises a lure-and-snipe: dual swords, fake flight, and Han Fu’s hidden arrow. He engages Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ), breaks off after a few bouts, and is overtaken by Red Hare (赤兔马, Ngựa Xích Thố) and cut in two before reaching safety—opening Guan Yu’s kill of Han Fu and the convoy’s continued escape with Lady Gan and Lady Mi.
In History
Summary
- Meng Tan (孟坦, Mạnh Thản) is a fictional officer under the novel’s pass governor Han Fu (Wei) (韩福, Hàn Phúc) in Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
- Do not confuse this Han Fu with the historical Ji Province inspector Han Fu (韩馥, Hàn Phức).
Historical Record
- No entry for Meng Tan appears in the standard Records of the Three Kingdoms or Pei Songzhi’s annotations as a historical pass defender against Guan Yu.
- Official biography of Guan Yu records service under Cao Cao and later departure to rejoin Liu Bei, without the six named novel gatekeepers.
- Treat the dual-sword feint, Red Hare pursuit, and paired death with Han Fu (Wei) as literary staging of the five-pass legend.
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