From the many rich goods and treasures discovered within a large underground tomb unearthed in Xinsheng in 1923, it is probable that the city was a stronghold of an important lord of the province of Cheng.
At the foot of a deep passage, within his subterranean death chamber, lay the remains of a powerfully-built man wrapped in red leather. He was of high rank, as around him were stacked weapons, carved jades, bronzes, a magnificent chariot and the skeletons of horses. Near him also lay the remains of a young woman, perhaps his favourite courtesan.
The tomb has been dated to around the 7th century BC. It is known that the Duke of Cheng, Li Gong, died around this time. The duke had been richly rewarded by the King of Zhou for his loyalty during a royal family power struggle. It is possible that this tomb was that of the ruler of Xinsheng himself, Duke Li Gong.
