In the vast river of Chinese civilization, jade is not only a gift from nature but also a carrier of national spirit. It embodies power, wealth, and faith, and also writes stories of loyalty, wisdom, and courage. Among countless jade legends, the story of "Perfect Jade Returned to Zhao" during the Warring States period is undoubtedly the most brilliant and thrilling chapter. Centered around the unparalleled He Shi Bi (Heshibi), it outlines the turbulent political struggles of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, and also demonstrates the Chinese nation's ultimate reverence for jade and its unique understanding.
The beginning of the story dates back to the tragic tale of Bian He offering jade to the Chu state. Legend has it that Bian He discovered a piece of raw jade in Mount Chu. He offered it to the Chu king twice, but it was mistaken for a common stone, and his feet were cut off. It was not until King Wen of Chu ascended the throne that Bian He, weeping with the jade in his arms beneath Mount Jing, moved the king to order the jade to be cut open. Indeed, this rare and beautiful jade was found and named "He Shi Bi." This jade disc was warm and lustrous throughout, with a subtle glow. It was said to emit a faint light at night and feel warm in winter and cool in summer, truly a "treasure of the world." Its value lay not only in the rarity of its material but also in its symbolic meaning as a "national treasure."
As time passed, the He Shi Bi eventually fell into the hands of the Zhao state. In 283 BC, King Zhaoxiang of Qin, hearing that Zhao possessed the He Shi Bi, sent an envoy with a letter to King Huiwen of Zhao, offering to exchange fifteen cities for it. This was undoubtedly a meticulously planned political conspiracy. Qin's wolfish ambitions were well known; its true purpose was not the He Shi Bi itself, but to humiliate Zhao and weaken its national strength. Faced with Qin's unreasonable demand, the Zhao monarch and his ministers were in a dilemma. If they refused, Qin might use it as an excuse to attack; if they agreed, they would lose a national treasure for nothing, and the fifteen cities might never materialize. It was at this moment that Lin Xiangru stepped forward, volunteering to go to Qin as an envoy, declaring, "If the cities enter Zhao, the jade will remain in Qin; if the cities do not enter, I request to return the perfect jade to Zhao."
Lin Xiangru, carrying the jade, entered Qin and engaged in a thrilling contest of wit and courage with King Zhaoxiang. In the Qin court, the King merely played with the He Shi Bi, saying nothing about exchanging cities. Lin Xiangru, seeing that the King had no intention of fulfilling his promise, feigned that the jade had a flaw, retrieved it from the King, and angrily denounced the King for breaking his word. Holding the He Shi Bi and leaning against a pillar, he threatened to perish with the jade if the King tried to seize it by force. This act intimidated the King, who was eventually forced to agree to fast for five days and hold a ceremony with nine guests to show his sincerity. However, Lin Xiangru knew the King was fickle, so he secretly sent someone to return the He Shi Bi to Zhao under the cover of night. Five days later, Lin Xiangru eloquently exposed the King's perfidy in the Qin court and safely returned to Zhao. Thus, the story of "Perfect Jade Returned to Zhao" came to a perfect conclusion.
"Perfect Jade Returned to Zhao" is not only a legend about jade but also a vivid portrayal of the wisdom and integrity of the Chinese nation. In the story, the He Shi Bi is not merely a material treasure but also a symbol of national dignity and integrity. Lin Xiangru's wisdom and courage lay in seeing through the King's trickery and, more importantly, in defending the nation's honor with his life. He closely linked the fate of a piece of jade with the fate of the nation, imbuing it with a profound meaning beyond its material value. This jade, therefore, was no longer merely "the beauty of stone" but the concretization of national credibility and spirit.
In modern society, we may no longer engage in such thrilling contests over a specific piece of jade, but the spiritual core of "Perfect Jade Returned to Zhao" still shines brightly. It reminds us that cherishing cultural heritage and defending national dignity are the responsibilities of every Chinese child. Jade culture, as an important part of Chinese civilization, with its inherent qualities of warmth, tenacity, introversion, and nobility, remains a valuable asset for self-cultivation and conduct. From the legend of the He Shi Bi, we see how jade, from a raw stone in nature, through the carving of skilled craftsmen and the baptism of history, ultimately sublimated into a spiritual totem, forever etched in the deep memory of the Chinese nation.