The Platform for Enfeoffing Generals

　　The Platform for Enfeoffing Generals is located about 200 meters southwest of the Ancient Han Platform. It consists of two separate rammed-earth platforms, one in the north and one in the south. Each platform is over three meters high. The area is similar to that of the Ancient Han Platform. It was built when Liu Bang, stationed at the Ancient Han Platform, enfeoffed Han Xin as Grand General of Han and held a grand ceremony to bestow the official seal. It is now a key cultural relic protection unit of Shaanxi Province.

　　In his early years, Han Xin served under Xiang Yu but was not given important responsibilities. He fled to Liu Bang but was similarly overlooked. He then escaped to the Fan River in present-day Liuba County. That night, due to rising waters, he could not cross and was brought back by Xiao He. Xiao He persuaded Liu Bang to choose an auspicious day, set up an altar, and enfeoff Han Xin as Grand General.

　　After being appointed Grand General, Han Xin first led the army to "repair the plank roads openly while secretly advancing through Chen Cang," capturing the Guanzhong region. He then advanced north and east, contending for supremacy in Central China. Victorious in numerous battles, he supported Liu Bang militarily in founding the imperial enterprise and establishing the Western Han Dynasty. Thus, the Platform for Enfeoffing Generals is the birthplace of the Han Dynasty and also historical evidence of the unconventional promotion of talent — proving that those who win over talent will rule the realm.

　　At the western foot of the southern platform stands a tall stone stele. On the front is inscribed “The Platform for Enfeoffing Han General Han Xin,” and on the back is a poem: “A loyal heart betrayed, the moon over Weiyang Palace gleams coldly with sword light. Where is the imperial enterprise of Emperor Gaozu? It does not compare to the enfeoffment platform at Huaiyin.” This shows how unacceptable people found Liu Bang’s actions of “shooting the bow after the birds are gone and cooking the hound after the rabbits are caught.”

　　To the east at the base of the southern platform stands a stele about two meters high, inscribed by calligrapher Shu Tong for the Platform for Enfeoffing Generals. The back of the stele contains a dialogue between Han Xin and Liu Bang upon ascending the platform, excerpted from Sima Qian’s Records of the Grand Historian · Biography of the Marquis of Huaiyin. The pavilion on the northern platform features a couplet written by Feng Yuxiang, a patriotic Kuomintang general during his time in Hanzhong: “Achievements rival the Three Heroes, prestige atop the platform stuns the army.” It was this very Platform for Enfeoffing Generals that brought militarily gifted Han Xin onto the great stage of the Chu-Han contention, allowing him to fully display his talents, dominate the battlefield, and conquer all in his path, helping Liu Bang secure half the empire. In a sense, the Platform for Enfeoffing Generals was actually the foundational platform of the Han Dynasty.

　　The Platform for Enfeoffing Generals was built in 206 BC. It is the ancient site where Emperor Gaozu of Han, Liu Bang, enfeoffed Han Xin as Grand General, and also a sacred place where Liu Bang worshipped heaven and earth in Hanzhong.

　　After enfeoffing the generals in Hanzhong, Liu Bang, with Han Xin leading the army, unified the country in just four and a half years, achieving imperial status and founding the Western Han Dynasty. The Chinese people, the Chinese characters, and Chinese culture all originated from this period.

　　Between the northern and southern platforms, the “Stone Stele of the Godly Marshal of Soldiers” is said to have been erected in the 45th year of the Wanli era (1617) by Zhu Changhao, the Prince of Rui of the Ming Dynasty, to worship Han Xin.

　　The “Stone Stele of the Night Shadow” (wordless stele), located on the west side, has been eroded by wind and rain over more than two thousand years, forming mysterious natural stone carvings. Though it may not look impressive, it has a long history. According to historical records, in the 12th year of the Han Dynasty, Emperor Gaozu, lying in bed, thought of Han Xin. To comfort his loyal spirit, he bestowed a red luminescent gemstone offered as tribute from the locality. Xiao He, following the decree, erected this stele. However, due to Empress Lü’s influence, no inscription was carved, and the stele was simply placed at the Platform for Enfeoffing Generals. When first erected, the stele emitted light and shadows at night (due to various minerals in the stone). It was believed that Han Xin’s spirit inhabited the stele, dispelling disasters and evil spirits, which made it a popular site for worship.

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　　The Century Bell placed at the Platform for Enfeoffing Generals weighs 11 tons. Cast in 2000, it is the largest bronze bell in northwest China, with a majestic presence and resounding tone.

　　Within the Platform for Enfeoffing Generals, lush green bamboo and cypresses remain evergreen throughout the seasons. In the military review field, two tall stone tablets, “The Platform for Enfeoffing Han General Han Xin” and “Dialogue Upon Ascending the Platform,” stand facing each other. The “Han General Han Xin” stele on the west side was erected in the 32nd year of the Republic of China (1943) by Zhu Zhaozhou, commander of Hanzhong’s city defense. Its back bears a poem: “A loyal heart betrayed, the moon over Weiyang Palace gleams coldly with sword light. Where is the imperial enterprise of Emperor Gaozu? It does not compare to the enfeoffment platform at Huaiyin.” Ascending the stone steps to the southern platform, you reach the original site where Liu Bang enfeoffed the generals. The platform was originally eight zhang high and grand in scale. At its center stands a statue of “General Han Xin,” left hand gripping a sword and right hand holding a seal, recreating the majestic aura of “stunning the army upon ascending the platform.” The northern platform serves as a ceremonial pavilion, encircled by red strip stones, supported by eight massive stone pillars, with a palatial roof, carved beams, painted rafters, upturned eaves, and unique design. The pillars are inscribed with couplets and poems by famous figures throughout history.

　　Han Xin (231 BC~196 BC)　　Han Xin (approximately 231 BC – 196 BC), of Han ethnicity, was a native of Huaiyin (formerly Huaiyin County, Jiangsu Province, now Huaiyin District). He was a founding hero of the Western Han Dynasty, an outstanding military strategist in Chinese history, and one of the “Three Heroes of the Early Han” alongside Xiao He and Zhang Liang, as well as one of the “Three Great Generals of the Early Han” along with Peng Yue and Ying Bu. In his early years, he came from a poor family and often relied on others for food. At the end of the Qin Dynasty, he joined the anti-Qin struggle and pledged allegiance to Xiang Yu. Later, recommended by Xiahou Ying, he was appointed as a grain administration officer but was not given significant responsibilities. Xiao He recommended Han Xin to Liu Bang, who then appointed him as Grand General. Han Xin analyzed the situation between Chu and Han for Liu Bang, proposing that the Three Qins could be taken by advancing eastward. Liu Bang adopted... Details +

　　Liu Bang (256 BC~195 BC)　　Liu Bang (Emperor Gaozu of Han, winter month 25, 256 BC – April 25, 195 BC), a native of Zhongyang Li, Pei County, Fengyi, was the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty. He was one of the great pioneers of the Han people and Han culture, as well as an outstanding politician, strategist, and commander in Chinese history. He made outstanding contributions to the development of the Han people and the unification and strength of China. Liu Bang came from a farming family, had a magnanimous personality, and did not engage in productive labor. He served as the chief of Sishui Pavilion in Pei County, then as Marquis of Pei and King of Han. During the Qin Dynasty, he went into hiding in Mangdang Mountain after releasing convicts. Shortly after Chen Sheng's uprising, he gathered around 3,000 young men from the county to respond to the rebellion, capturing Pei County... Details +