In the vast galaxy of Chinese civilization, the brilliance of jade has never dimmed. It is not merely a material carrier but also a symbol of spirit, embodying the nation's beliefs and aesthetics. Among the many jade legends, the story of "The Jade Returned to Zhao" from the Warring States period is undoubtedly the most dazzling. It is not only a paradigm of diplomatic wisdom but also the highest tribute to a peerless jade – the He Shi Bi.
The prelude to the story begins with Bian He of Chu offering the jade. Legend has it that during the Spring and Autumn period, a man named Bian He from Chu discovered an unpolished jade in Mount Jing. He offered it to King Li of Chu, but it was identified as a common stone by a jade craftsman, and Bian He had his left foot amputated. When King Wu of Chu ascended the throne, Bian He offered the jade again, but it was still considered a stone, and his right foot was amputated. It wasn't until the reign of King Wen of Chu that Bian He, embracing the unpolished jade, wept for three days and nights at the foot of Mount Jing. King Wen, moved by his loyalty, ordered the jade to be cut open, and indeed, a rare treasure, crystal clear and radiant, was revealed. It was then named "He Shi Bi." The birth of this jade disc destined its extraordinary fate.
The legend of the He Shi Bi truly reached its peak during the Warring States period. In 283 BC, King Huiwen of Zhao acquired this rare treasure. King Zhaoxiang of Qin, hearing of it, coveted it greatly and sent a letter to the King of Zhao, offering fifteen cities in exchange for the He Shi Bi. This was undoubtedly a huge temptation and a treacherous trap. Zhao, a weaker state, feared Qin's attack if they refused; if they agreed, they risked losing both the cities and the jade. In this dilemma, Lin Xiangru stepped forward, accepted the perilous mission, and journeyed to Qin with the He Shi Bi.
In the Qin court, facing King Zhaoxiang's coercion and enticement, Lin Xiangru displayed extraordinary courage and wisdom. He cleverly pointed out a flaw in the He Shi Bi, seizing the opportunity to retrieve the jade disc. Then, he righteously denounced the King of Qin for his untrustworthiness and threatened to destroy the jade, forcing the King of Qin to agree to fast for five days and receive the He Shi Bi with solemn ceremony. During these five days, Lin Xiangru sent his attendant to return to Zhao with the He Shi Bi via a secret path, ultimately accomplishing the feat of "The Jade Returned to Zhao."
The story of "The Jade Returned to Zhao" not only highlights Lin Xiangru's wisdom and bravery but also profoundly reveals the cultural significance of the He Shi Bi as a national treasure. It was not merely a beautiful stone but also a symbol of national dignity and integrity. In that era of the strong preying on the weak, the gain or loss of a jade disc could even influence the fate of a nation. The value of the He Shi Bi had long transcended its material and craftsmanship, elevating it to a spiritual totem.
From archaeological discoveries, the status of jade discs in ancient China was indeed extraordinary. From the large number of jade discs unearthed from Neolithic Hongshan and Liangzhu culture sites, to ritual vessels in the Shang and Zhou dynasties, and burial jades in the Han dynasty, jade discs consistently played an important role in communicating with heaven and earth, offering sacrifices to deities, and demonstrating status. The He Shi Bi, as the most famous among them, embodies the Chinese nation's pursuit of "virtue" and "integrity." Ancient people believed that "a gentleman compares his virtue to jade"; the warmth, toughness, and introversion of jade are precisely the portrayal of a gentleman's character. The legend of the He Shi Bi is the best interpretation of this "jade virtue" spirit.
To this day, "The Jade Returned to Zhao" has become a well-known idiom, used to describe an item being returned to its rightful owner or being returned intact. And the He Shi Bi, though its whereabouts have long been unknown, its story has been passed down through the ages, becoming a precious cultural heritage of the Chinese nation. It reminds us that jade is not just an ornament, but also a witness to history and a conveyor of culture. When we appreciate an ancient jade today, we are not only admiring its beauty but also tracing the story behind it and feeling the profound cultural heritage it carries. This reverence for history and the preservation of culture is precisely the mission and joy we, as researchers and collectors of jade culture, undertake.