Qin and Han · Han general who impersonated Liu Bang at Xingyang

Ji Xin 紀信

Jì Xìn

Attested BC 205 - BC 204

Passages: 6
Chapters: 2
Histories: 1

Overview

Ji Xin was a Han general who impersonated Liu Bang at Xingyang.

Life and dates

Death

Burned/sacrificed body to shield the emperor · Cause Self sacrifice in war
Directly stated · Book of Han 117, passage 206

Attested activity

BC 204 漢三年五月
Dated from the passage context · Book of Han 1, passages 405, 423, 426, 429, 431
BC 205 紀焚躬以衛上
Strongly inferred · Book of Han 117, passage 206

Key source chapters

Places and affiliations

Polity Han 漢 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Book of Han 117, passage 206

Events and relationships

Burned body to shield lord
Military · Body double
Directly stated · Book of Han 117, passage 206

References in the histories

Book of Han, Chapter 1Volume 1: Annals of Emperor Gaozu 1 · 5 passages

五月，將軍紀信曰：「事急矣！ In the fifth month, General Ji Xin said: "The situation is urgent!

紀信乃乘王車，黃屋左纛，曰：「食盡，漢王降楚。」 Ji Xin then rode in the king's chariot with yellow canopy and left banner, saying: "Food is exhausted. King Han surrenders to Chu."

羽見紀信，問：「漢王安在？」 Xiang Yu saw Ji Xin and asked: "Where is King Han?"

曰：「已出去矣。」 Ji Xin said: "He has already left."

羽燒殺信。 Xiang Yu burned and killed Xin.

Book of Han, Chapter 117Volume 100a: Afterword and Family History 1 · 1 passage

紀焚躬以衛上兮，皓頤志而弗營。 Ji Xin gave his body for the emperor; the Four Elders fed their resolve and shunned ambition.