Tomb of Ji Xin

　　The Tomb of Ji Xin is located in Group 4 of Liulin Village, Chenggu County, about 60 meters behind the government office compound. Ji Xin (?–204 BCE), a figure from the late Qin period, served as a general under Liu Bang during the Chu-Han Contention. During the breakout from Xingyang, he pretended to be the King of Han surrendering, allowing Liu Bang to escape, and was subsequently burned alive by Xiang Yu. After Liu Bang became emperor, he posthumously honored Ji Xin as the City God. To commemorate him, local residents built the Tomb of Ji Xin and the Temple of the City God here. The Liulin Temple of the City God was once a grand structure and had considerable influence in the Hanzhong region. It was destroyed after the liberation. Currently, only the tomb remains — a circular earthen mound with a circumference of 24.6 meters and a height of 2.1 meters. In front of the mound stands a stele erected in December 1995 by the People’s Government of Liulin Town, Chenggu County. The front of the stele is inscribed with “Tomb of General Ji of the Han Dynasty,” while the back provides an account of Ji Xin’s life. About 5 meters south of the tomb mound is a memorial hall, facing south and built with brick and wood. It features a hip-and-gable roof and a five-beam bracket set lifted onto columns. The hall is 12 meters wide, with a column spacing of 3.7 meters, a depth of 6.3 meters, and an aisle 0.8 meters wide. The central plaque above the door is inscribed in clerical script with “Ji Xin Memorial Hall.” Inside the hall is a painted clay statue of Ji Xin. The Tomb of Ji Xin and the Ji Xin Memorial Hall have become key sites for local religious activities.

　　Ji Xin (?–204 BCE)　　 Ji Xin (?–204 BCE), styled Cheng, was a native of Fulong Village, Ziyi Township, Xichong County. At the end of the Qin Dynasty, he joined the insurgent forces of Liu Bang, the Prince of Pei, and distinguished himself in battle. He was initially promoted to the rank of unit commander, and later awarded the title of general. Historical records praise him as “the one man of the Western Han” and “a hero whose achievements surpassed the Three Excellencies.” In 206 BCE (the first year of the King of Han), during the Feast at Hongmen, when Liu Bang was in danger and excused himself to go to the toilet, Ji Xin, along with Fan Kuai, Jin Qiang, and Teng Gong, took the opportunity to escort him safely back to Bashang. In the summer of 204 BCE, in the fourth month, Liu Bang was besieged by Xiang Yu in the city of Xingyang, Henan. The King of Han sought peace, but Xiang Yu refused. Fan Zeng strongly urged Xiang Yu not to miss the opportunity to... More+