During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, a time of great upheaval and contention among various states, a peerless jade—the He Shi Bi—not only stirred the nerves of feudal lords but also, with its dramatic fate, penned an enduring tale of integrity, wisdom, and national sentiment, known as “Returning the Jade Intact to Zhao.”
The story begins in the State of Chu. Legend has it that Bian He discovered an unpolished jade in Mount Chu and presented it to King Li of Chu, who deemed it a mere stone, leading to Bian He losing his left foot. When King Wu of Chu ascended the throne, Bian He again offered the jade, which was once more dismissed as a stone, resulting in the loss of his right foot. It wasn't until King Wen of Chu came to power that Bian He, weeping for three days and nights at the foot of Mount Jing, finally had his plea heard. The king ordered the stone to be cut open, revealing the unparalleled beauty within. To honor Bian He's loyalty and keen eye for jade, the gem was named “He Shi Bi.” This jade was not merely a material treasure; it symbolized Bian He's unwavering pursuit of truth and beauty, paid for with his very life.
The legend of He Shi Bi did not end there. It changed hands multiple times, eventually falling into the possession of the State of Zhao. In 283 BCE, King Zhaoxiang of Qin, learning that Zhao possessed the He Shi Bi, sent an envoy to King Huiwen of Zhao, offering fifteen cities in exchange for the jade. This seemingly generous offer was, in fact, fraught with hidden dangers. The State of Qin was powerful and its ambition to conquer the other six states was evident. King Zhao knew that if the jade were to go, it might never return, but refusing would give Qin a pretext for war. For a time, the Zhao court was in a dilemma.
At this critical juncture, a retainer named Lin Xiangru stepped forward. He advised King Zhao: “Qin is strong, Zhao is weak; we cannot refuse.” However, he also proposed: “If the cities are given but the jade is not, that is acceptable; but if the jade is given and the cities are not, that is unacceptable.” He volunteered to take the He Shi Bi to Qin. In the Qin court, King Zhaoxiang indeed focused solely on admiring the jade, making no mention of ceding cities. Seeing this, Lin Xiangru devised a plan. He feigned that the He Shi Bi had a flaw and offered to point it out to the King. Once the King returned the jade to his hands, Lin Xiangru, enraged, held the He Shi Bi and fiercely denounced the King's perfidy, threatening: “If Your Majesty does not exchange fifteen cities for the jade, I am willing to shatter both the jade and myself against this pillar!” Fearing damage to the He Shi Bi, King Zhaoxiang reluctantly agreed to the pretense. Lin Xiangru seized the opportunity to secretly send the He Shi Bi back to Zhao, while he himself remained in Qin to maneuver. Ultimately, though angered, the King of Qin had no choice but to let Lin Xiangru return to Zhao, thus completing the timeless tale of “Returning the Jade Intact to Zhao.”
The story of “Returning the Jade Intact to Zhao” is more than just about the ownership of a piece of jade; it is a profound interpretation of “trust” and “righteousness” in the Chinese nation. In the story, the He Shi Bi transcends its value as material wealth, becoming a symbol of national dignity and integrity. Lin Xiangru's wisdom and courage not only preserved Zhao's national treasure but also upheld Zhao's dignity, demonstrating the noble character of Chinese scholars who “cannot be bent by force nor corrupted by wealth.”
From the perspective of jade culture, the legend of He Shi Bi also deeply reflects the ancient Chinese's lofty perception of jade. In Chinese culture, jade is not merely an ornament; it is the embodiment of a gentleman's virtues. The “Book of Rites: Ping Yi” records Confucius saying: “In ancient times, gentlemen compared their virtues to jade.” Jade possesses eleven virtues: benevolence, wisdom, righteousness, propriety, music, loyalty, trustworthiness, heaven, earth, and virtue. Its gentle and understated, tenacious, and flawless qualities all align with the character of a gentleman. The “Returning the Jade Intact to Zhao” is a concrete manifestation of these “jade virtues” in a historical event. Lin Xiangru's protection of the He Shi Bi with his life was not just about the beautiful jade itself, but about the integrity, righteousness, and national dignity that jade embodies.
Today, “Returning the Jade Intact to Zhao” has become a well-known idiom, not just a historical story, but a continuation of cultural spirit. It teaches us that in interpersonal interactions, integrity is the foundation of character; between nations, righteousness is the basis of peace. In modern society, we still need to uphold this “jade virtue” spirit. Whether it's cultivating personal character, establishing corporate credibility, or shaping a national image, it is inseparable from adhering to “trust” and “righteousness.” A He Shi Bi, a national sentiment—it has traversed millennia, still shining brightly in the hearts of the Chinese people, continuing the light of jade virtues in Chinese civilization.