1. Life and Military Career
Jin Xi's extensive military career is characterized by his consistent loyalty to Liu Bang and his participation in nearly every major campaign that led to the establishment and stabilization of the Han dynasty. His contributions were vital in bringing order after a period of intense civil strife and rebellion.
1.1. Joining Liu Bang and Early Activities
Jin Xi initially joined Liu Bang's forces as a `Zhong Juan` (attendant) when Liu Bang began his military operations from Yuanqu (冤句). In the second year of the Qin Second Emperor (208 BC), Jin Xi participated in the attack on Qin forces at Jiyang (濟陽), alongside Xiahou Ying. In August of that year, he contributed significantly to the defeat of Li You's army. For these early military successes, Jin Xi was granted various honors and titles, including being named the Linping Jun (臨平君).
1.2. Campaigns during the Fall of Qin
Jin Xi continued to distinguish himself in the campaigns that brought about the collapse of the Qin dynasty. In March of the third year of the Qin Second Emperor (207 BC), he engaged Qin forces south of Bo (亳) and northeast of Qifeng (啓封). During this battle, he personally beheaded one commander of 1,000 cavalry, captured 57 heads, and took 73 prisoners. Later, in September 207 BC, during the battle north of Lantian (藍田), Jin Xi's forces beheaded two chariot `Sima` (military officers) and one cavalry chief, capturing 28 heads and 57 prisoners. In January 206 BC, following Liu Bang's investiture as King of Han, Jin Xi was granted the title of Jianwu Hou (建武侯) and appointed `Qiduwei` (騎都尉, Commandant of Cavalry). In this capacity, he actively participated in the pacification of the Sanqin (Three Qins) region, which constituted the former Qin metropolitan area.
1.3. Activities during the Chu-Han Contention
During the fierce Chu-Han Contention between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu, Jin Xi played a crucial role in many strategic engagements. In April of the second year of Gaozu (205 BC), he followed Liu Bang eastward to confront Chu forces at Pengcheng. After the Han army suffered a major defeat at the Battle of Pengcheng, Jin Xi returned to defend Yongqiu. Later, he left Yongqiu to suppress rebellious figures such as Wang Wu and successfully conquered the Liang region. He then separated from the main Han army, defeating Xing Shuo's (邢説) forces at Zinan (菑南). During this engagement, Jin Xi captured two of Xing Shuo's `Douwei` (commandants) and 12 `Sima Hou` (officers), and secured the surrender of 4,180 enemy officials and soldiers. He further defeated a Chu army east of Xingyang.
In August 205 BC, Jin Xi was again dispatched independently to Henei (河內), where he attacked Zhao general Ben Hao (賁郝) at Chaoge (朝歌). His forces captured two cavalry generals and seized 250 chariots and horses. He then followed the King of Han, marching from Anyang (安陽) eastward to Jipu (棘蒲), conquering seven counties along the way. Separately, he defeated a Zhao army, capturing two `Sima` generals and four `Hou`, and securing the surrender of 2,400 officials and soldiers.
In the third year of Gaozu (204 BC), Jin Xi was granted a stipend of 4,200 households. He then followed the King of Han to conquer Handan. He subsequently captured Pingyang (平陽), personally beheading its `Shousiang` (留守宰相, acting chancellor). His forces also beheaded one `Bing-shou` (兵守) and one `Jun-shou` (郡守). After capturing Ye (鄴), he rejoined the King of Han to attack Chaoge and Handan again, independently defeating Zhao forces and bringing six counties of Handan Commandery under Han control.
Jin Xi's army returned to Aocang (敖倉), where he defeated Xiang Yu's forces south of Chenggao (成皋), successfully cutting Chu's supply lines. He marched from Xingyang to Xiangyi (襄邑), where he defeated Xiang Guan's (項冠) army near Lu (魯). His campaigns extended further, conquering territories eastward to Zeng (繒), Tan (郯), and Xiapi (下邳), and southward to Qi (蘄) and Zhuyi (竹邑). He also notably defeated Xiang Han (項悍) near Jiyang.
His military efforts continued to be crucial during the final stages of the contention. He returned his army to Chen (陳) to defeat Xiang Yu's main forces. Separately, he pacified Jiangling (江陵), securing the surrender of the Jiangling King's `Zhuguo` (柱國, chief general) and `Dashima` (大司馬, grand marshal), along with eight other officials. Jin Xi personally captured the Jiangling King, Gong Wei, and sent him alive to Luoyang for execution. He subsequently pacified Nan Commandery. He also accompanied the King of Han to Chen to capture Han Xin, the King of Chu. For his numerous contributions, in the sixth year of Gaozu (201 BC), Jin Xi was granted a hereditary stipend of 4,600 *shi* (a grain unit) and was ennobled as the Marquis of Xinwu (信武侯).
1.4. Suppression Activities after the Founding of Han
After the establishment of the Han dynasty, Jin Xi remained indispensable in consolidating the new empire by quelling internal rebellions. As `Qiduwei`, he participated in the campaign against Han Wang Xin, who had rebelled and allied with the Xiongnu. Jin Xi attacked Han Wang Xin near Pingcheng and later returned his army to Dongyuan (東垣).
He was then promoted to `Cheji Jiangjun` (車騎將軍, General of Chariots and Cavalry), a significant command where he was responsible for overseeing the chariots and cavalry of five vassal states: Liang, Zhao, Qi, Yan, and Chu. He subsequently led forces to defeat Hou Chang (候敞), the chancellor of the rebellious Chen Xi, and successfully captured Qujie (曲逆). Jin Xi also played an important role in the suppression of Ying Bu's rebellion. For his sustained service and continued successes, his stipend was further increased to 5,300 households.
1.5. Overall Military Achievements
Throughout his distinguished career under Liu Bang, Jin Xi amassed an impressive military record, demonstrating his strategic acumen and battlefield effectiveness. His comprehensive achievements include:
- Beheading 90 enemy commanders.
- Capturing 142 prisoners.
- Independently defeating 14 enemy armies in separate engagements.
- Capturing 59 cities.
- Pacifying one commandery, one kingdom, and 23 counties.
- Capturing one king, one `Zhuguo`, and 39 officials ranging in rank from 2,000 *shi* to 500 *shi*.
2. Offices and Peerages
Jin Xi held a progression of significant official positions and noble titles throughout his service to Liu Bang and the Han dynasty, reflecting his increasing importance and military prowess:
- `Zhong Juan` (中涓): An attendant, his initial official position.
- Linping Jun (臨平君): An early noble title granted for his contributions in the anti-Qin campaigns.
- Jianwu Hou (建武侯): A marquisate bestowed by Liu Bang when he became King of Han, for his role in pacifying the Sanqin region.
- `Qiduwei` (騎都尉): Commandant of Cavalry, a military rank he held during critical campaigns.
- Xinwu Hou (信武侯): Marquis of Xinwu, his most prominent and final noble title, granted with a hereditary stipend of 4,600 *shi* (a grain unit) in 201 BC for his extensive contributions during the Chu-Han Contention. This stipend was later increased to 5,300 households for his role in suppressing post-founding rebellions.
- `Cheji Jiangjun` (車騎將軍): General of Chariots and Cavalry, a high military command given after his participation in the campaign against Han Wang Xin, where he commanded forces from multiple vassal states.
3. Death
Jin Xi died in 183 BC, during the fifth year of Empress Lü's regency. Following his death, he was honored with the posthumous name Su Hou (肅侯), acknowledging his dedicated and successful service to the Han dynasty.
4. Assessment and Legacy
Jin Xi's contributions were central to the stabilization and expansion of the Han dynasty, securing its foundation after decades of warfare.
4.1. Historical Assessment
Prominent historian Sima Qian, in his monumental work Records of the Grand Historian, offered a notable assessment of Jin Xi. Sima Qian grouped Jin Xi with another general, Fu Kuan, and remarked on their remarkable careers: "These two [Fu Kuan and Jin Xi] followed Emperor Gaozu from Shandong, attacked Chu armies, beheaded generals, defeated armies, and captured cities dozens of times, yet they never encountered danger or disgrace. This was a gift from Heaven." This high praise from Sima Qian underscores Jin Xi's exceptional military talent and his seemingly charmed fortune on the battlefield, highlighting his pivotal role in Liu Bang's ultimate victory and the establishment of a unified empire.
4.2. Family and Succession
Upon Jin Xi's death, his son, Jin Ting (靳亭), succeeded him as the Marquis of Xinwu. However, the family's marquisate faced a setback 21 years later, in the third year of Emperor Wen's reign (161 BC). Jin Ting was accused of having levied excessive taxes on his populace, exceeding the regulated amounts. As a consequence, he was stripped of his marquisate, and the family's feudal territory was confiscated.
Despite this forfeiture, the Jin family's legacy was later reinstated. In the fourth year of Yuan Kang (62 BC), Jin Anhan (靳安漢), a great-great-grandson of Jin Xi and a `Changan Shangzao` (長安上造, a minor official title), received an imperial edict to restore the family's lineage, ensuring the continuation of Jin Xi's esteemed heritage within the Han dynasty.