During the Warring States period, as various states vied for supremacy, a piece of jade emerged not only as a rare treasure but also as a symbol of national dignity and wisdom. This was the legendary "Heshi Bi" (Heshi Jade Disc). The story of "Returning the Jade Intact to Zhao" (Wan Bi Gui Zhao), centered around this jade, shines like a brilliant pearl in the treasury of Chinese civilization, its luster undimmed to this day.
The story begins with the tragic legend of Bian He presenting the jade to the Chu state. Bian He, an ordinary man from Chu, harbored an unwavering devotion and belief in fine jade. He presented the jade twice, only to be mistakenly identified as a mere stone and suffer the cruel punishment of having his feet amputated. Yet, even without his feet, he remained steadfast. Upon the ascension of King Wen of Chu, he embraced the jade and wept for three days and three nights at Jing Mountain, finally moving the King. The King ordered the raw stone to be cut open, revealing indeed a peerless piece of jade. This jade, named "Heshi Bi" after Bian He, was warm, delicate, and subtly lustrous. It was said to emit a faint glow at night and was worth countless cities.
The Heshi Bi eventually found its way to the Zhao state, becoming King Huiwen of Zhao's most cherished possession. However, its fame also attracted the covetous gaze of the powerful Qin state. King Zhaoxiang of Qin, learning that Zhao possessed the Heshi Bi, sent an envoy to King Zhao, offering fifteen cities in exchange for the jade. This was undoubtedly a huge temptation, but King Zhao knew well the Qin's wolfish ambitions and feared that the jade would be lost without any return. Yet, he dared not easily offend the mighty Qin. For a time, no one in the Zhao court dared to respond.
It was at this critical juncture that a retainer named Lin Xiangru stepped forward. He advised King Zhao, saying, "Qin is strong, Zhao is weak; it is impossible not to agree." But he also proposed a bold strategy: if Qin genuinely offered the cities, then the jade should be sent; if Qin did not, then the jade should be returned to Zhao intact. King Zhao accepted his advice and appointed Lin Xiangru as an envoy, entrusting him with the Heshi Bi to travel to Qin.
Upon Lin Xiangru's arrival in Qin, King Zhaoxiang received him in the Zhangtai Palace. When the Heshi Bi was presented before the King, he was captivated by it, but made no mention of the fifteen cities. Seeing this, Lin Xiangru devised a plan. He pretended that there was a flaw in the jade and asked the King to allow him to point it out. Once the jade disc was back in his hands, he immediately retreated a few steps, leaned against a pillar, and with a furious expression, confronted the King: "Your Majesty desired this jade, not hesitating to exchange fifteen cities for it. I came by royal command. Now that Your Majesty has the jade, yet shows no intention of delivering the cities, it is clearly an act of deception against our Zhao state. If Your Majesty insists on this, I would rather perish with this jade!" With these words, he raised the Heshi Bi, feigning to smash it against the pillar. The King, greatly alarmed and fearing damage to the jade, quickly spoke soothing words and falsely promised to fast for five days before holding a grand ceremony for the exchange of cities.
Lin Xiangru, well aware of the King's deceit, used the five days of the King's fasting to secretly dispatch someone, disguised and carrying the Heshi Bi, to escape back to Zhao via a secluded path. Five days later, when King Qin hosted a banquet, Lin Xiangru calmly informed him that the Heshi Bi had already been sent back to Zhao. He spoke eloquently, explaining that Zhao was not unwilling to exchange, but that Qin had first broken its word. Though enraged, King Qin could do nothing since the Heshi Bi was no longer in his possession, and ultimately had to let Lin Xiangru return to his state.
The story of "Returning the Jade Intact to Zhao" is not merely a testament to Lin Xiangru's individual wisdom and courage; it is also a reflection of the Chinese nation's steadfast adherence to integrity and national dignity. The Heshi Bi, a jade imbued with Bian He's blood and tears and carrying the fate of a nation, was ultimately returned to Zhao through Lin Xiangru's clever maneuvering, becoming a timeless tale.
From a cultural perspective, the legend of the Heshi Bi profoundly reflects the unique Chinese emotional connection to jade. In Chinese culture, jade is not merely a symbol of wealth; it is the embodiment of a gentleman's virtues. "A gentleman compares his virtues to jade." The warmth, resilience, subtlety, and flawlessness of jade have been endowed with beautiful qualities such as benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness. The value of the Heshi Bi has long surpassed its material properties; it represents national credibility and integrity, a tangible manifestation of the Chinese spirit.
In modern society, although the Heshi Bi is now lost, the spirit of "Returning the Jade Intact to Zhao" continues to inspire us. It reminds us to uphold principles and safeguard national interests in international relations, and to be trustworthy and responsible in our personal moral cultivation. Jade culture, as an important component of Chinese civilization, with its profound philosophy and humanistic spirit, still possesses strong vitality today, guiding us to pursue truth, goodness, and beauty, and to inherit the excellent traditions of the Chinese nation.
Archaeological discoveries of prehistoric jade artifacts, such as the jade dragon of the Hongshan culture and the jade cong of the Liangzhu culture, attest to the long and rich history of jade culture. These are not merely exquisite artifacts but also carriers of ancient people's spiritual beliefs and cosmic views. The story of the Heshi Bi is a brilliant node in this long developmental脉络 of jade culture, showcasing its profoundness and immortality to the world with its unique charm.