Recently, Laiyang Museum in Shandong Province found an epitaph of the Republic of China during a private visit. After textual research, it was confirmed that the owner of the epitaph was Wang Zhixin, the magistrate of Shuntian (equivalent to the mayor of Beijing) in the early years of the Republic of China. This 769-word epitaph makes it clear for the first time that Wang Zhixin was born in Tongzhi for seven years in the Qing Dynasty.

The epitaph was accidentally discovered by the descendants of Wang Zhixin family when they moved the tomb in Mashan area of Laiyang city. The epitaph is 0.79 m long, 0.78 m wide and 0. 13 m thick. It is made of marble. Each epitaph has 30 words, 28 lines and 769 words. The inscription is written in official script, which is meticulous and spectacular.

According to the staff of Laiyang Museum, although the epitaph is brief, it records the major events that Wang Zhixin experienced in his life. The discovery of the epitaph shows that Wang Zhixin was the concrete founder of the modern inspection department system in China, which solved the historical problem of his birth and death year. At the same time, the epitaph provides valuable information for studying the modern history of China and the evolution of Chinese police system.

Wang Zhixin is from Laiyang, Shandong. The "People's Records" in the volume of Laiyang County Records (twenty-four-year edition of the Republic of China) contains: "Qing Dynasty restores the public and protects Taoist priests. In the Republic of China, he was the police chief of Beijing Outer City, the magistrate of Shuntian, and the deputy governor of Zhenglanqi. " The epitaph records are basically consistent with this account. After Wang Zhixin took part in the suppression of the Boxer Rebellion, he recommended Known, and soon went to Tianjin to set up a patrol. He served as a senior police officer and governor in Gyeonggi, Fengtian and Tohoku provinces, and served as the police chief of Beijing Outer City and the magistrate of Shuntian in the early years of the Republic of China. According to historical records, Wang Zhixin was arrested by Yuan Shikai on June 27th, 2004, and was shot for his participation in the assassination of Song Yu1October 23rd, 1965438. As for Wang Zhixin's birthday, historical materials have been vacant. The words "Born on June 29th, the seventh year of Tongzhi in Chen Wu, died at the age of 47" in the epitaph have unveiled the mystery of history. (Correspondent Dong, reporter Zheng's photo report)