Xīzhōu

Xizhou stood on the northern bank of the Huai River in southern Henan, where the plain runs toward the Dabie Mountains. It was the site of the ancient state of Xi, which Chu destroyed in 682 BC and turned into one of the first counties in China; under the Han the general Ma Yuan, who vowed to be wrapped in a horsehide on the battlefield, was marquis of Xinxi here. The district kept the name Xi through every change of dynasty.

The Jin made Xizhou a department in 1208. The Yuan briefly abolished it in 1262, restored it a year later, and in 1266 folded Xinxi County into the department; from 1293 it belonged to Runing Prefecture. In 1371 the Ming reduced the department to Xi County, placing it first under Linhao Prefecture of the Middle Capital (later Fengyang) and in 1374 under Guang Department of Runing, and in 1724 the Qing made Guang Department a prefecture directly under the province, with Xi County among its districts.