In the vast galaxy of Chinese civilization, there shines a brilliant pearl, which is not merely a beautiful jade, but an epic carrying loyalty, wisdom, stratagem, and faith—that is the He Shi Bi jade. Its legend, as warm and profound as jade itself, flows through thousands of years of history, becoming the eternal pursuit of beauty, virtue, and the Dao for the Chinese nation.
The story begins in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. There was a jade craftsman named Bian He in the State of Chu, who discovered a piece of unpolished jade in Mount Jing. This raw jade was rough on the outside but contained unparalleled beauty within. Bian He, filled with reverence for the jade and joy of discovery, twice presented the raw jade to the King of Chu. However, due to the ignorance of the jade artisans at the time, it was mistakenly identified as an ordinary stone, and Bian He consequently had both his feet cut off. Yet, Bian He did not give up. He embraced the jade and cried for three days and three nights at the foot of Mount Jing, his tears eventually turning to blood. King Wen of Chu, upon hearing of this, sent people to retrieve the jade. After careful carving by jade artisans, a dazzling and invaluable treasure jade was indeed obtained, which the world called “He Shi Bi.” Bian He's ordeal not only demonstrated his persistence and true knowledge of jade but also reflected the difficulty of recognizing talent and discerning objects in that era, as well as the heavy price paid for overlooking true value.
The legend of He Shi Bi did not stop there. It successively became the treasure of the State of Chu and later circulated to the State of Zhao. King Zhaoxiang of Qin, hearing that He Shi Bi was in Zhao, sent an envoy to King Huiwen of Zhao, proposing to exchange fifteen cities for He Shi Bi. Faced with the coercion and temptation of the powerful Qin, the officials of Zhao were in a dilemma. At this time, a retainer named Lin Xiangru stepped forward. He knew that the King of Qin merely coveted the jade and had no intention of genuinely exchanging cities. Therefore, he traveled to Qin with He Shi Bi, and in the Qin court, he outsmarted the King of Qin, eventually returning the jade intact to Zhao, thus creating the timeless idiom “Wan Bi Gui Zhao” (returning the jade intact to Zhao). Lin Xiangru's wisdom and courage not only preserved He Shi Bi but also upheld the dignity of the State of Zhao, becoming a classic case in the history of diplomacy for later generations.
The ultimate fate of He Shi Bi, it is said, was that after Qin Shi Huang unified the six states, he had it carved into the Imperial Seal, with eight seal characters “受命于天，既寿永昌” (received the mandate from heaven, may you live long and prosper) inscribed on the front by Li Si. This seal symbolized the legitimacy and supreme power of the emperor, becoming a token of succession for successive dynasties in China, witnessing the rise and fall of countless dynasties. Although the Imperial Seal has been lost multiple times throughout history, and its true appearance is no longer verifiable, the cultural significance carried by He Shi Bi as its predecessor has never diminished. From a raw jade, through hardships, it became a treasure, and then a symbol of imperial power. Its trajectory is closely linked to the evolution of Chinese civilization.
The legend of He Shi Bi is not just a story about a piece of jade; it is a microcosm of the “jade culture” of the Chinese nation. In Chinese culture, jade is not merely a symbol of material wealth but also the embodiment of a gentleman's virtues and noble character. As stated in “Liji·Pin Yi” (Book of Rites·Meaning of Presenting Gifts): “A gentleman compares his virtue to jade.” The warmth, toughness, introversion, and luster of jade are endowed with the five virtues of a gentleman: benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, courage, and purity. The “Wan Bi Gui Zhao” of He Shi Bi embodies trustworthiness; Bian He crying blood while embracing the jade demonstrates tenacity and persistence; Qin Shi Huang having it made into an imperial seal bestows upon it the symbolism of supreme power and heavenly mandate. All these profoundly reflect the unique emotions and cultural aspirations of the Chinese people towards jade.
In modern society, the legend of He Shi Bi still holds profound significance. It reminds us that true value is often hidden beneath an unadorned exterior, requiring discerning eyes to discover; it admonishes us that only by adhering to beliefs and not fearing difficulties can we ultimately realize value; it also enlightens us that wisdom and courage are key to maintaining dignity and resolving disputes. The story of He Shi Bi is no longer just historical dust but an indispensable part of the Chinese national spiritual tapestry. With its unique charm, it continues to nourish our cultural confidence and inspires us to explore and inherit the profound heritage of Chinese civilization.