In the vast river of Chinese history, jade is not only a precious mineral but also a carrier of national spirit and cultural heritage. Countless legends about jade have been passed down to this day, among which, the story of "The Return of the Jade to Zhao" (Wan Bi Gui Zhao) is undoubtedly the most brilliant. It not only tells the fate of a peerless jade but also profoundly interprets the values of wisdom, courage, and national dignity.
The story begins in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. At that time, Bian He of Chu discovered a piece of unpolished jade in Mount Jing. He offered it to the King of Chu three times, but each time it was mistaken for a common stone, leading to his feet being amputated. Bian He wept beneath Mount Jing, his tears turning to blood, demonstrating his loyalty and love for jade, which moved heaven and earth. Eventually, King Wen of Chu ordered the jade to be carved, and it indeed turned out to be a rare treasure, lustrous and sparkling, worth countless cities. It was thus named "He Shi Bi." This He Shi Bi was not only the treasure of the State of Chu but also a coveted treasure by all the feudal lords, its value transcending mere material worth to become a symbol of national strength.
As time passed, the He Shi Bi changed hands several times and eventually fell into the possession of the State of Zhao. In 283 BC, King Zhaoxiang of Qin learned that Zhao possessed the He Shi Bi and sent an envoy to King Huiwen of Zhao, offering to exchange fifteen cities for the jade. This seemingly generous offer was, in fact, a trap. The State of Qin was powerful and aimed to annex the six states. Its true purpose in "exchanging cities for jade" was simply to seize the He Shi Bi effortlessly, thereby humiliating Zhao and weakening its international standing. King Zhao and his ministers knew that King Qin was greedy and untrustworthy. If they refused, they feared angering Qin; if they agreed, they feared losing both the cities and the He Shi Bi forever. For a time, the court of Zhao was shrouded in gloom.
In this critical moment, a retainer named Lin Xiangru stepped forward. He advised King Zhao: "Qin is strong, Zhao is weak; we cannot refuse." Subsequently, he volunteered to go to Qin with the He Shi Bi. Upon arriving at the Qin palace, King Zhaoxiang was indeed captivated by the He Shi Bi but said nothing about the fifteen cities. Seeing this, Lin Xiangru devised a plan. He pretended that the He Shi Bi had a flaw and offered to show it to King Qin. Once the king returned the jade to him, Lin Xiangru immediately stepped back, leaned against a pillar, and, with a furious expression, told King Qin: "Your Majesty desires the He Shi Bi, and I have traveled thousands of miles to demonstrate Zhao's sincerity. However, Your Majesty only cares about admiring the jade and says nothing about the cities, clearly intending to deceive our State of Zhao! If Your Majesty insists on this, I would rather smash my head against the jade, destroying both, to preserve the dignity of Zhao!" With that, he raised the He Shi Bi, as if to smash it. King Qin, seeing Lin Xiangru's genuine resolve, knew that if the He Shi Bi were truly shattered, he would suffer a great loss. So he quickly appeased Lin Xiangru and falsely promised to fast for five days and hold a grand ceremony to exchange the cities.
Lin Xiangru knew that King Qin's promise was merely a delaying tactic, so he secretly sent someone to return the He Shi Bi to Zhao that very night. Five days later, King Qin discovered that the He Shi Bi was gone and was furious. Lin Xiangru calmly told King Qin: "The reason I did this was to prevent the He Shi Bi from being forcibly taken by Qin. If Your Majesty truly wishes to obtain the He Shi Bi, please first fulfill your promise and cede the fifteen cities. Otherwise, I am willing to die!" King Qin was ultimately impressed by Lin Xiangru's wisdom, courage, and integrity. Reluctantly, he had to let Lin Xiangru return to his country. Thus, the He Shi Bi was returned to Zhao intact, and Lin Xiangru was consequently appointed as a high minister, his name forever etched in history.
"The Return of the Jade to Zhao" is not just a legend about a piece of jade; it is a vivid portrayal of the wisdom and integrity of the Chinese nation. The He Shi Bi, this rare treasure imbued with Bian He's tears and the craftsman's ingenuity, in Lin Xiangru's hands, was not merely material wealth but a symbol of national credibility and dignity. It teaches us that in the face of power, not only force can solve problems; wisdom, courage, and adherence to principles can also resolve crises and earn respect. In today's world, international exchanges are increasingly frequent, and cultural exchanges are deepening. We can still draw nourishment from the story of "The Return of the Jade to Zhao," learning how to uphold national interests and demonstrate the wisdom and character of the Chinese nation in complex international environments. Jade, as a unique symbol of Chinese civilization, will continue to shine brightly in the long river of history, telling one moving story after another, and inheriting the excellent qualities of the Chinese nation.
From archaeological discoveries, the jade craftsmanship of the Warring States period had reached a pinnacle, such as the jade artifacts unearthed from the tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng, whose exquisite beauty is astonishing. This also indirectly confirms the extreme pursuit of beautiful jade and superb carving techniques at that time. The legend of the He Shi Bi is a microcosm of the flourishing jade culture of that era. It is not just an artifact but a concrete manifestation of the Chinese national spirit, inspiring generations of Chinese people to be resilient in adversity and wise and courageous in the face of challenges.