In the vast river of Chinese history, there exists a jade that is not only a rare treasure but also a symbol of power, a vessel of integrity, and a microcosm of the Chinese nation's relentless pursuit of beauty and virtue. It is the He Shi Bi, hailed as "a treasure shared by all under heaven." The story of the He Shi Bi, beginning with the tears and blood of Bian He from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, was destined to become the most brilliant and captivating chapter in Chinese jade culture.
I. Weeping Blood to Offer Jade: Bian He's Persistence and the Emergence of He Shi Bi
The legend of the He Shi Bi begins with a man named Bian He from the State of Chu. According to "Han Feizi: He Shi," Bian He discovered an unpolished jade in Mount Chu, firmly believing it contained a peerless jade. However, his discovery was not recognized. He successively presented the jade to King Li of Chu and King Wu of Chu, but both times he was accused of deceiving the monarch and had his feet amputated. Bian He did not give up; he embraced the unpolished jade and wept for three days and three nights at the foot of Mount Jing, his tears eventually turning to blood. This persistence finally moved the succeeding King Wen of Chu. King Wen ordered a jade craftsman to cut open the unpolished jade, and indeed, a dazzling beautiful jade was revealed. This jade, named "He Shi Bi," came from Bian He's tears, blood, and perseverance.
Bian He's story is not merely a legend about discovering beautiful jade; it profoundly reveals the Chinese nation's persistent pursuit of "truth" and "goodness." In that era, discerning jade was like discerning people, requiring keen insight and courage. Bian He, at the cost of his life, proved the value of the unpolished jade and set an example for future generations to uphold their beliefs and fear no hardship. His act of weeping blood to offer jade became a tragic yet powerful cultural symbol in Chinese history.
II. Returning the Jade Intact to Zhao: Lin Xiangru's Wisdom and Courage on the Political Stage of He Shi Bi
The fate of the He Shi Bi reached its climax during the Warring States period. It circulated from the State of Chu to the State of Zhao, becoming a prized possession of King Huiwen of Zhao. King Zhaoxiang of Qin, hearing of it, offered fifteen cities in exchange. Faced with the strong Qin's coercion and temptation, the State of Zhao was in a dilemma. At this time, a retainer named Lin Xiangru stepped forward. He traveled to Qin with the He Shi Bi, performing the timeless tale of "returning the jade intact to Zhao."
In the Qin court, Lin Xiangru, with extraordinary courage and wisdom, saw through the Qin king's tricks. He first claimed the jade had a flaw to retrieve it from the Qin king's hands, then angrily denounced the Qin king's dishonesty and threatened to perish with the He Shi Bi. Ultimately, the Qin king was forced to agree to fast for five days to show sincerity. Lin Xiangru seized the opportunity to send someone to return the He Shi Bi to Zhao. This not only preserved the He Shi Bi but also upheld the dignity and interests of the State of Zhao. The story of returning the jade intact demonstrates the wisdom and courage of the Chinese nation in diplomatic struggles, and it elevated the He Shi Bi beyond mere material value, transforming it into a symbol of national credibility and integrity.
III. The Imperial Seal: He Shi Bi's Ultimate Destination and Symbol of Imperial Power
The legend of the He Shi Bi did not stop there. After Qin Shi Huang unified the six states, this rare beautiful jade finally fell into his hands. To demonstrate the supreme authority of the emperor, Qin Shi Huang ordered Prime Minister Li Si to carve the Imperial Seal from the He Shi Bi, inscribed with eight characters: "Received Mandate from Heaven, Longevity and Prosperity." From then on, the He Shi Bi transformed into the Imperial Seal, becoming a symbol of legitimate imperial power in Chinese history. Successive emperors all took pride in possessing it. He who possessed it ruled the world, and he who lost it lost the world. The fate of this seal was closely intertwined with the rise and fall of dynasties, witnessing countless political struggles and power changes.
However, the ultimate whereabouts of the Imperial Seal became an enduring mystery. During the chaos of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms, it mysteriously disappeared, and no definitive archaeological discovery has been made to this day. This adds an indelible touch of mystery to the legend of the He Shi Bi, and people's pursuit and imagination of it have never ceased.
IV. The Cultural Significance and Modern Inheritance of He Shi Bi
The story of the He Shi Bi is a unique microcosm of Chinese jade culture. It not only showcases the material beauty of jade but also carries the profound spiritual connotations of the Chinese nation. It symbolizes:
* Unyielding will: Bian He's weeping blood to offer jade represents the persistent pursuit of truth and value.
* Integrity and wisdom: Lin Xiangru's returning the jade intact is a model of diplomatic wisdom and national credibility.
* Supreme power: The Imperial Seal is a symbol of divine imperial authority.
* Ultimate pursuit of beauty: The He Shi Bi itself, as a peerless beautiful jade, embodies the ancients' reverence for the warm, subtle, and reserved beauty of jade.
In modern society, the legend of the He Shi Bi still holds profound educational significance. It reminds us that true value often requires time and tempering to be discovered; integrity is the foundation of self-establishment and nation-building; and the pursuit of beautiful things is the inexhaustible driving force for human civilization's progress. Although the He Shi Bi is lost, the spirit of the Chinese nation it represents has deeply integrated into our cultural bloodstream, inheriting and developing in various forms in modern society. From the continuous refinement of jade carving art to the adherence to integrity, and to the confidence and promotion of national culture, the spiritual totem of the He Shi Bi still shines brightly on the land of China, guiding us towards a brighter future.
The He Shi Bi, this legendary jade born from tears and blood, returned intact, and transformed into the Imperial Seal, has, with its dramatic twists and turns, written the most glorious chapter of Chinese jade culture. It is not just a beautiful jade, but a living history, a spiritual monument, forever shining with the wisdom and brilliance of Chinese civilization.