Tomb of Marquis Cai

Tomb of Marquis Cai

The Tomb of Marquis Cai is a cultural relic protection unit of Henan Province.

The Tomb of Marquis Cai includes the tombs of Marquis Cai Shudu and Marquis Cai Zhong, and is now a key cultural relic protection unit of Henan Province. The tomb of Marquis Cai Shudu is located northeast of Huangni Village in Luge Township, while the tomb of Marquis Cai Zhong lies south of Pangzhuang Village on the west side of the Zhoukou–Shangcai Highway near Zhoukou Subdistrict Office in Caitu.

Marquis Cai Shudu was the first ruler of the State of Cai, and he was the younger brother of King Wu of Zhou. In 1046 BC, King Wu of Zhou, Ji Fa, personally led the Zhou army in a direct assault on the Shang capital of Yin (present-day Qixian County, Henan), and the two sides engaged in the famous battle of Muye (located south of the Wei River and north of present-day Qixian County)—a classic underdog victory. During the battle, Shang troops turned against their own army, leading to a major defeat for the Shang. This battle was the decisive conflict that ended the Shang Dynasty. After overthrowing the Shang rule, King Wu established the Zhou dynasty. He then enfeoffed his relatives and descendants as rulers of various states to protect the royal house. Marquis Cai Shudu was granted the land of Cai, where he established the state’s capital (covering roughly the area of present-day Shangcai County, Zhumadian City, Henan Province).

In 1043 BC, King Wu of Zhou passed away, and his son, King Cheng, ascended the throne. Due to the young age of the new king, the Zhou ruling elite decided that the fourth son of King Wen of Zhou and full brother of King Wu—Duke of Zhou (Ji Dan)—would govern as regent. Suspecting that Duke of Zhou intended to usurp the throne from King Cheng, Marquis Cai Shudu conspired with Guan Shu Xian (another brother of King Wu) and Huo Shu Chu (also a brother of King Wu) to stage a rebellion. This power struggle among the ruling class became known as the Rebellion of the Three Guards. After three years of fierce conflict, Duke of Zhou defeated Marquis Cai Shudu, Guan Shu Xian, and Huo Shu Chu. He abolished the states of Cai, Guan (present-day Zhengzhou), and Huo (present-day Huozhou, Shanxi), demoted the rebels to commoner status, and had Marquis Cai Shudu imprisoned in Guolin—located not far northwest of the old capital of the State of Cai (present-day Shangcai County, Henan Province)—which would later become the site of Chanhu Temple. At the time, Chanhu Temple was not yet built, nor was it as bustling or renowned as it would be after its establishment during the Eastern Han Dynasty. It was a desolate place surrounded by ravines, shaded by ancient trees, roamed by wild animals, and rarely visited by people. Imprisoned there, Marquis Cai Shudu was filled with frustration and regret, fell gravely ill, and eventually died in 1038 BC. After his death, he was buried about one li (approximately half a kilometer) northwest of the old capital of the State of Cai. This burial ground had been the resting place for many high-ranking officials and nobles, so when viewed from afar, the area was dotted with ancient tombs—but the tomb of Marquis Cai Shudu stood out as the tallest and most prominent. The site is encircled by mounds and ravines, with a large earthen mound rising prominently in the center. In front of the tomb stands a stone stele inscribed with the life history of Marquis Cai Shudu.

Cai Zhong, whose personal name was Hu, was the son of Marquis Cai Shudu and the second ruler of the State of Cai. After the death of his father, Cai Zhong governed with caution and diligence, treated talented individuals with respect, promoted virtue, and encouraged good conduct—earning widespread acclaim from both the court and the populace. Duke of Zhou regarded Cai Zhong as a capable leader, and thus petitioned King Cheng to restore the State of Cai and appoint Cai Zhong as its marquis, allowing the state to be reestablished. After arriving in Cai, Cai Zhong lived up to the king’s trust. He worked tirelessly to build city defenses, reclaim and cultivate land, allow the people to rest and recover, and placed great emphasis on agriculture and sericulture. He cared deeply for the people of Cai, governed the state in an orderly manner, and earned both the appreciation of King Cheng and the love of Cai’s citizens. After his death, Cai Zhong was buried in the northeastern corner of the old capital of the State of Cai. In front of his tall brick tomb stand the stelae “Restoration of the Tomb of Cai Zhong” and “The Mandate of Cai Zhong.”

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Key Cultural Relic Protection Units of Henan Province