Tomb of Duke Wen of Jin

Tomb of Duke Wen of Jin

The Tomb of Duke Wen of Jin is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Shanxi Province.

The Tomb of Duke Wen of Jin is situated on the side of Xiacun in Anyu Town at the border between Quwo and Jiang counties in Shanxi Province. The tomb stands 40 meters tall, is circular, and has a circumference of 200 meters. It is a provincial-level cultural heritage site. The tomb’s occupant, Duke Wen of Jin (697–628 BC), was a ruler of the State of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period. His name was Chong’er, and he was the son of Duke Xian of Jin. — After 19 years in exile, he returned to the state and ascended the throne. He worked diligently to govern and helped Jin become a powerful hegemonic state.

The Tomb of Duke Xian of Jin is located on the eastern ridge of Huaiquan Village, Nanfan, Jiang County. The tomb is a hundred feet high, stands without a shrine, and is solitary. Its shape resembles a wooden bell without a handle. He was the son of Duke Wu of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period, named Guizhu, and he was the one who first established the capital at Wei (Jiang County, Shanxi).

Duke Wen of Jin

Duke Xian initially married a woman from the Jia clan but had no children. He then married Qi Jiang and had a daughter who became the wife of Duke Mu of Qin, as well as his eldest son, Crown Prince Shen Sheng. Later, he took two women from the Rong tribes and fathered Chong’er and Yiwu. During the war against the Li Rong, he captured Li Ji and had a son named Xi Qi. Duke Xian favored Li Ji and often listened to her slander. He first forced Crown Prince Shen Sheng to commit suicide, then sought to harm Princes Chong’er and Yiwu in order to secure the throne for Xi Qi. Duke Xian reigned for 26 years. After his death, due to his tyrannical and depraved rule during his lifetime, he was not included in the ancestral worship ceremonies, as a way to honor virtue and condemn evil. The Tomb of Duke Xian is a provincial-level key cultural heritage site.

The Tomb of Duke Wen of Jin is located in Xiacun, Weizhuang, Jiang County. Duke Wen was a feudal lord during the Spring and Autumn period, the second son of Duke Xian of Jin, and the younger brother of Crown Prince Shen Sheng. His name was Chong’er. Duke Xian favored Li Ji, had Crown Prince Shen Sheng killed, and Chong’er fled to the Di (or Di) State, where he remained in exile for 19 years. Later, with the military support of Duke Mu of Qin, he returned to Jin to reclaim the throne. He executed Prince Dai, welcomed King Xiang of Zhou, rescued the State of Song, defeated the State of Chu, and succeeded Duke Huan of Qi as the leader of the alliance. He reigned for nine years and was given the posthumous title “Wen.” During Duke Wen’s reign, the capital was located in Jiang (present-day Jiang County, Shanxi). After his death, he was buried on the western ridge of Xiacun, Weizhuang, Jiang County.

Mausoleum

The mausoleum is built along the terrain, rising over 30 meters high, resembling a hill. It is said that before the liberation, the area around the tomb was covered with lush pine and cypress trees, green grass, and had a solemn and peaceful atmosphere. At the top of the ridge behind the tomb, there used to be a shrine which was dismantled by Japanese invaders during the war, and all the trees were cut down. What can be seen now are the verdant locust trees scattered across the hills, and a Ming Dynasty memorial stele inscribed with “Tomb of Duke Wen of Jin” standing majestically by the roadside.

Location

Layout

The Tomb of Duke Ling of Jin is located in Nanliujia Village, Moli Township, 12 kilometers east of Jiang County. During his lifetime, Duke Ling led a debauched and tyrannical rule, corrupting the court, brutally exploiting the people, and ruthlessly persecuting ministers who offered remonstrations. This provoked anger among his subjects — and he was eventually killed by Zhao Chuan, the younger brother of Zhao Dun, becoming a notorious and despised ruler in history. In front of the tomb is a stone tablet inscribed with the characters “Jingzhong” (Tomb of Jing). Due to Duke Ling’s extremely cruel behavior during his life, he was not included in the ancestral worship rites throughout the dynasties.

Geographic Location of the Tomb of Duke Wen of Jin

The tombs of Duke Xian, Duke Wen, and Duke Ling of Jin are all located in Jiang County. The tomb of Duke Xian in Huaiquan Village, Jiang County, is about 40 meters high and resembles a wooden bell without a handle. It is said that the soil used to build it—colored earth from Taizi Beach in Quwo, dozens of li away—was passed basket by basket by people standing in line. Because of his poor reputation, the tomb has “no shrine, only a solitary grave.” The tomb of Duke Wen in Xiacun, Jiang County, is also about 40 meters high and circular. Due to his outstanding virtues and achievements, a shrine was built in front of the tomb. Inside the shrine stands a stone stele inscribed with “Tomb of Duke Wen of Jin” from the 51st year of the Qianlong reign in the Qing Dynasty. In recent years, a lifelike stone statue of Duke Wen of Jin has been erected in front of the tomb, where ancestral worship continues. Duke Ling, due to his brutal and tyrannical nature, was buried in a desolate mound in Nanliujia Village, Jiang County, left unattended and without worship. The Jiang County Museum houses various stone tablets, statues, and cultural relics from the Qing Dynasty, including ones inscribed with “Former Capital of Jin,” “Shi of Jiang County,” and “Elder of Jiang County.”

Many place names in Jiang County also reflect this history. For example, Shigu’s hometown, located near Chexiang City, is called Nancheng Village. About seven li east of Chexiang City lies Zhuozigou, named after Zhuozi, the reclusive and peace-loving son of Duke Xian. Xiaoqicun was the training ground for General Qi Wu of Jin. Nanguanzhuang was named by Duke Wen of Jin when he inspected the area. Wubicun got its name from a local villager surnamed Wu who presented a jade bi to Duke Wen. Fan Village is said to have been the former residence of Fan, Duke Wen’s maternal uncle. Originally named Fancun, it was later renamed to avoid the inauspicious character “fan” (meaning offense), and remnants such as the General Temple and stone tablets still exist in the village today. Jin’yucun got its name because Duke Wen stationed troops there. Bayanquan is said to have been named when, during a battle, Duke Wen’s soldiers were suffering from hunger and thirst. In a moment of urgency, Duke Wen thrust his sword into the ground, and upon pulling it out, a spring gushed forth. The name has endured since. Dongfengcun was the fief of the Jin historian Dong Hu. Sunwangcun is said to have been named Zunwangcun (Respect the King Village) because Duke Wen once held a meeting there to promote the principle of “Revere the King, Expel the Barbarians.” Later, it was renamed Sunwangcun in honor of Sun An, an official known for his integrity.

Sightseeing

Nowadays, it is widely recognized that Chexiang City was the ancient capital of the State of Jin. More and more scholars come here for research, and tourists for sightseeing. Chexiang City is increasingly becoming a new tourist attraction.

Records

In Xiacun, Anyu Town, at the border between Jiang County and Quwo, there are several earthen mounds stretching like hills. These are the legendary tombs of Duke Wen of Jin and belong to Jiang County. About ten li to the west lies Quwo.

Tomb of Duke Wen of Jin Scenic Area

In the transition between spring and summer, the green grass is lush, willows sway gently, and the landscape is a vibrant sea of green — a truly beautiful sight. In front of the tomb stands a stone stele erected in the 15th year of the Qianlong reign, inscribed with “Tomb of Duke Wen of Jin.” Nearby, there is a statue of Duke Wen, full of vigor and vitality, as if he is pointing out the land and unleashing boundless passion. As you approach this place, a sense of solemnity immediately envelops you, and even the passing wind seems to intensify for a moment.

The “Zuo Zhuan” states: “When Duke Wen died, he was to be buried in Quwo.” Although the tomb is in Jiang County, it is also near Quwo, so this account is likely not false. Mr. Tian Jianwen from the Houma Workstation of the Shanxi Archaeological Research Institute said that archaeological excavations have revealed that these tombs date back to the Han Dynasty. Meanwhile, the “Quwo” recorded in the “Zuo Zhuan” refers to present-day Wenxi. Historical records from the “Jiajing Annals of Quwo County” state: In the third year of the Yuanding era during Emperor Wu of Han’s reign, he traveled east to Quwo County and, upon hearing the news of the defeat of the Southern Yue, joyfully renamed the county Wenxi. At that time, the areas of present-day Quwo and Wenxi were swapped, so it is generally believed that these tombs are at most the legendary “funerary attire mounds” of Duke Wen constructed by later generations. The real tomb of Duke Wen should be in Jiang County, on the side closer to Wenxi.

However, even as a “funerary attire mound,” this place still faintly exudes an air of royalty, as if Duke Wen has been lying beneath the ground here for thousands of years. It’s just a pity that few come to pay their respects. Yet Duke Wen of Jin, Chong’er, remains vivid in the hearts of the local people—not only because he became a hegemon during the Spring and Autumn period and achieved military glory—but also because the legends and stories surrounding him serve as exemplary figures for people to learn from.

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Provincial-Level Cultural Heritage Sites in Shanxi Province