Xin Qiji (28 May 1140 – 3 Oct 1207) was a Chinese poet, calligrapher, and military general during the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279).

Xin was born in the modern city of Jinan in Shandong Province, then governed by the Jin Dynasty.

Xin then led his men safely back across the border and had Zhang Anguo decapitated by the emperor.

However, because the emperor was surrounded by people who supported "an appeasement policy"[4] rather than open warfare with the Jin, Xin was sidelined.

He left for Jiangxi where he then stayed and perfected his famous ci form of poetry for ten depressing years.

Xin gave himself an art name – "Jiaxuan" (稼轩), which meant "Life should be diligent and take farming as the prime importance".

In 1188, Xin met another patriotic poet, Chen Liang, in E hu Temple (around Piao Spring, Jiangxi Province).

The government then vindicated Xin and endowed him a posthumous title – "Zhong Min", which meant loyalty and encouragement.

[8] Scholars considered Xin's literary caliber to be equally talented in ci as his Song dynasty counterpart, Su Shi.

Goblet in hand, scratching my head at the east window, I presume that Tao Yuanming, having finished his poem Hovering Clouds, Was in the same mood I am now.

[10] "壯歲旌旗擁萬夫，錦襜突騎渡江初。燕兵夜娖銀胡觮，漢箭朝飛金仆姑。 追往事，嘆今吾，春風不染白髭須。卻將萬字平戎策。換得東家種樹書。” When I was young I waved a flag to lead a thousand soldiers horses too how my men fashioned arrows of silver at night they brought down the moon now the enemy owns it I come back I'm nobody now thinking of the past how one sighs to be neglected Spring won't bring back the black to my bread you can't imagine the tracts I wrote on tactics for this country In return I'm given this poor field bent mattock and some weather-worn to me titled 'how to grow tree' [11] "將軍百戰身名裂,向河梁、回頭萬裏，故人長絕。 易水蕭蕭西風冷，滿座衣冠似雪。 正壯士、悲歌未徹。啼鳥還知如許恨，料不啼清淚長啼血。 誰共我，醉明月。” Broke my body and reputation Now stand on the imminence of departure Look back on my grand homeland Deceased all my old friends The river is bleak, the wind is cold Those who bid me farewell, are all with white coats and hats white as snow, white as nihility The elegy never ends never ends its tune, never ends its nostalgia never ends its resolve to fight If the mockingbird knows my regret it won't cry it will tear with blood After this departure who will watch the moon along with me in the different remote places in the same solitary night "衆裏尋他千百度，驀然回首，那人卻在燈火闌珊處。” "But in the crowd once and again I look for her in vain.

It can be construed here as a deeper understanding of the last line being full of sadness, including: Little of Xin's calligraphy has survived.

The 20th-century Chinese diplomat and philosopher Hu Shih asserts that Xin Qiji ranks first among authors in creative lyrics.

According to Hu, Xin shows great talent, keen intellect, intensive and sincere feeling in writing lyrics.

[13] The Chinese ethnologist and historian Bai Shouyi stated that Xin Qiji aimed his life at recovering the lost territories and contributing to his country.

However, Xin never shook his patriotic resolve, and put all his enthusiasm and worries about national destiny to the creation of poetry.

[14] The Chinese historian Deng Guangming contends that although Xin was inherently an extremely passionate patriot, he was forced to pretend to be a detached and calm man, who is indifferent about political affairs.