Yancheng Jiunvzhong (Tomb of the Nine Maidens)

Yancheng Jiunvzhong

The Tomb of the Nine Maidens in Yancheng is a cultural relic protection site of Yancheng District.

The Spectacular Jiunvzhong: Commonly known as Jiunv City, the Tomb of the Nine Maidens is located in Taiwang Village, Xindian Town, about 35 li (approximately 17.5 km) northwest of Yancheng County. The nine tombs are of uniform size, arranged in two rows—one row of five to the east and one row of four to the west. They stretch 195 meters from north to south and 80 meters from east to west, covering an area of over three mu (about 0.2 hectares). For a long time, there have been various speculations regarding the age of the tombs, the identities of those buried, and the reasons for their deaths. There are mainly four theories: First, during the Jin Dynasty, nine maidens fled chaos and chose death over dishonor when confronted by bandits, and were thus buried together as the Jiunvzhong. Second, the nine maidens fought with close male relatives over their father’s inheritance. They were wronged by a county magistrate and died unjustly. Third, the nine maidens tragically perished while seeking shelter from wind and rain. Fourth, the site is the burial place of the Goddess of the Nine Heavens. These theories differ greatly and none can be verified. Here we present two popular legends for readers’ enjoyment. According to one legend, after Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified the six states and established his capital in Xianyang, he issued an imperial edict to select beauties from across the land for his pleasure. Envoys were dispatched to choose nine maidens from eastern China. On their way to Xianyang, they passed through this area. These nine women, from respectable families, thought of their families’ tearful goodbyes, and of the humiliation and misfortune awaiting them. Overcome with sorrow, they swore to die rather than enter the palace. So they bashed their heads together and died on the spot. Later generations built the Jiunvzhong to commemorate their chastity and bravery. Another legend tells of a local landowner with vast estates and several rare treasures, but no sons—only nine daughters. After his death, the daughters fought over the inheritance by competing to break the funeral urn. The landowner also had a lame nephew who sought to claim the estate. Disputes over succession led to lawsuits. The case reached the county magistrate, a corrupt official who accepted bribes from the lame nephew. The magistrate suggested: “Each of you dig a grave pit. When the ox carts carrying the coffins arrive, whichever pit the cart stops beside will determine the heir.” The nine daughters dug their pits close together—four in the east, three in the west, and two in the middle, all aligned north-south. The lame nephew dug his own pit two li to the west, called the "Single Mound." Two days later, the corrupt magistrate arrived with a retinue. Ox carts carrying the coffins approached the daughters' pits, but the attendants whipped the oxen to circle the pits without stopping. This happened at all nine pits. But when the carts reached the lame nephew's pit, the oxen tired, and an attendant tripped one of the wheels—forcing the cart to stop. The lame nephew, having bribed the magistrate, secured the inheritance and took over the estate. The nine daughters, furious, stumbled back to their own pits and dashed their heads against the ground, dying on the spot. The *Book of the Later Han – Biographies of Empresses and Consorts* records: “In the first year of Yanping (106 AD), Princess Li was granted the title of Linying Commandery Princess and married Jia Jian, Attendant of the Imperial Secretariat and Marquis of Jimo. As a Commandery Princess, she enjoyed the same status and attire as a feudal king. Her son inherited her title as a marquis. In the first year of Yuanchu (114 AD), Princess Liu Li additionally controlled the revenues of three counties—Ying, Yin (recorded in the Xuchang County Annals), and Xu (near the ancient site southwest of Xuchang County)—totaling tens of thousands of households. At that time, Empress Dowager Deng held great power. Upon the princess’s death, most were buried in their fiefdoms, especially as her descendants inherited the titles and maintained tombs in those lands. Taiwang was once part of Xuxian County and close to Linying, situated southwest of the ancient Linying city. The Jiunvzhong may be related to this Commandery Princess. The large tomb west of hers may be linked to a Han Dynasty imperial daughter who was titled Princess Wuyang. According to the *Yancheng County Annals*, Professor Jing Sanlin of Zhengzhou University believes the tomb occupants may be the daughters of Emperor He, specifically Commandery Princess Liu Li of Linying.”

Xindian Town: Located 15 kilometers west of Luohe City proper, Xindian Town was once known as the “Water and Land Port” and the “Second Yancheng.” It borders Changchun Gully and Si Zhi Canal to the east, adjacent to Longcheng Town; connects with Bei Gan Canal to the west, neighboring Peicheng Town; faces the Shahe River to the south, across which lie Yangyinzhao Township of Yuanhui District and Lianhua Town of Wuyang County; and is connected to Yahe River and Wugong Canal to the north, linking with Shangqiao Town. The town features flat terrain and fertile soil, slightly higher in the southwest and slightly lower in the northeast. The Luojie Highway and Mengping Railway run through the area, ensuring convenient transportation. The Xingfu River main canal and its first, second, and third tributaries flow throughout, providing abundant water resources for industrial and agricultural development... More details about Xindian Town++