Historical Story of the General Appointment Altar

According to legend, in 206 BC, Liu Bang was enfeoffed as king and moved his capital to southern Nanzheng. Han Xin then came to Nanzheng to serve Liu Bang. Although Xiao He recommended him many times, Liu Bang still refused to put Han Xin in an important post. Deeply disappointed, Han Xin ran away.

When Xiao He learned that Han Xin had left secretly, he chased after him without first reporting to Liu Bang and caught up with Han Xin near Qingqiao Courier Station. Xiao He repeatedly explained to Liu Bang the vital importance of appointing Han Xin as a senior general. Finally, Liu Bang was persuaded and ordered: "Choose an auspicious day, build an altar, and prepare all the rituals." He then formally appointed Han Xin as Grand General.

Han Xin had once served Xiang Yu but never gained promotion. He defected to Liu Bang yet was still overlooked. He fled again to the Fan River in present-day Liuba County. The river rose suddenly overnight and blocked his way, so Xiao He caught up with him once more. After Xiao He’s persuasion, Liu Bang selected a lucky day, erected an altar, and conferred the title of Grand General upon Han Xin.

The General Appointment Altar, also known as the General Appointment Platform, stands just outside the south gate of Hanzhong City, roughly 200 metres southwest of the Ancient Hantai Platform. It consists of two rammed-earth terraces (north and south) on the south side of South Central Ring Road. The terraces stand more than 3 metres high, covering a total area of 7,840 square metres. It was built specifically for the grand ceremony where Liu Bang commissioned Han Xin as his top general.

The southern terrace is enclosed by white marble balustrades, with a spacious flat ground. Two stone steles stand at the eastern and western foot of the terrace. The front of the eastern stele bears three inscribed characters: "General Appointment Altar", while the back is carved with Dialogue on the Altar. The front of the western stele is inscribed with eight characters: "Altar Where General Han Xin Received His Commission". On its reverse side is a seven-character quatrain: Loyalty met with undeserved fate, Cold sword light shone beneath Weiyang Palace’s moon. Where is Emperor Peigong’s empire today? Only Huaiyin’s altar still remains.

The General Appointment Altar has been listed as one of the Major Cultural Relics under Provincial Protection in Shaanxi Province. A cultural relic management office has been set up for its preservation.

The main structure is made up of two separate rammed-earth platforms, one to the north and one to the south. Standing over 3 metres high and covering 7,840 square metres, the altar was constructed for the solemn seal-conferring ceremony held by Liu Bang on Hantai Platform to make Han Xin the Grand General of the Han army