In the long river of Chinese civilization, jade is not only a precious mineral but also a unique carrier of national spirit, cultural beliefs, and aesthetic tastes. Among the many jade legends, the He Shi Bi (Heshi Jade) is undoubtedly the most dazzling star. It is not merely a rare treasure but also a grand narrative of integrity, resilience, and the rise and fall of nations, deeply imprinted in the collective memory of the Chinese people.
The Bleeding Jade: Bian He's Tragic Offering
The story of He Shi Bi begins with an ordinary man named Bian He in the Spring and Autumn Period of the Chu State. According to "Han Feizi - Heshi," Bian He discovered a piece of raw jade in Mount Chu (now in Nanzhang County, Xiangyang City, Hubei Province). Knowing its extraordinary nature, he, with sincere heart, twice presented it to King Li of Chu and King Wu of Chu. However, the jade artisans at the time failed to identify its authenticity, instead accusing Bian He of deceiving the monarch, leading to Bian He having both his feet amputated twice. He did not give up, but instead, holding the raw jade, he wept bitterly at the foot of Mount Chu until his tears ran dry and were replaced by blood. This tragic scene of weeping blood finally moved King Wen of Chu, who succeeded to the throne. King Wen ordered the raw jade to be cut open, and indeed, a peerless beautiful jade, crystal clear and radiant, was found within. People then called it "He Shi Bi."
Bian He's ordeal was not just a personal tragedy but also a profound interpretation of the saying, "True gold fears no fire, and true jade fears no grinding." It illustrates the difficulty of discovering and identifying truth, and the immense cost of upholding one's beliefs. The birth of He Shi Bi was, from the very beginning, imbued with the legendary colors of blood and tears, laying the groundwork for its subsequent dramatic twists and turns.
Returning the Jade Intact: Lin Xiangru's Wisdom, Courage, and National Dignity
The legend of He Shi Bi did not stop in the Chu State. As time passed, this rare treasure eventually fell into the hands of the Zhao State. In 283 BC, the powerful King Zhaoxiang of Qin coveted the He Shi Bi and proposed to King Huiwen of Zhao to exchange it for fifteen cities. This was undoubtedly a trap; Qin had a history of treachery. If Zhao handed over the jade, both the cities and the jade would likely be lost. Faced with the threat from the mighty Qin, the Zhao court was at a loss.
At this critical moment, a retainer named Lin Xiangru stepped forward. He resolutely accepted the mission to Qin. In the Qin court, Lin Xiangru, with extraordinary courage and wisdom, engaged in a thrilling battle of wits with King Zhaoxiang. He first cleverly pointed out that the King of Qin had no intention of exchanging cities but merely wanted to trick them into giving up the He Shi Bi. Then, on the pretext that "the jade had a flaw," he tricked the King into returning the He Shi Bi to his hands. When the King of Qin attempted to seize it by force, Lin Xiangru, enraged, held the He Shi Bi and threatened to perish with the jade, ultimately forcing the King of Qin to agree to fast for five days. Seizing this opportunity, Lin Xiangru secretly sent the He Shi Bi back to Zhao by his attendants, while he calmly faced the wrath of the King of Qin. This is the famous historical story of "Returning the Jade Intact to Zhao."
"Returning the Jade Intact" is not only the climax of the He Shi Bi legend but also a symbol of Chinese wisdom and courage. Lin Xiangru, with his individual effort, upheld the national dignity and interests of Zhao. His spirit of "not disgracing his mission and returning the jade intact" became a timeless tale passed down through generations, further elevating the cultural connotation of He Shi Bi.
The Imperial Seal: He Shi Bi's Final Destination and Symbol of Power
The fate of He Shi Bi did not end there. After Qin Shi Huang unified the six states, this beautiful jade, symbolizing supreme power, was carved into the Imperial Seal, with eight seal characters, "受命于天，既寿永昌" (Received Mandate from Heaven, May Life Be Eternal and Prosperous), inscribed on its front by Li Si. From then on, He Shi Bi became a symbol of legitimate imperial power in Chinese history. Those who possessed it were considered to have "received the Mandate from Heaven," while its loss foretold the decline of a dynasty. Over two thousand years, it changed hands countless times, witnessing the rise and fall of dynasties and emperors through the Qin, Han, Three Kingdoms, Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties, Sui, Tang, and Five Dynasties.
However, during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, the Imperial Seal mysteriously disappeared and remains an unsolved mystery to this day. The ultimate fate of He Shi Bi is thus shrouded in an even more mysterious aura, becoming a recurring theme for literati and poets throughout history.
The Deep Meaning of Jade Culture: The He Shi Bi and the Spirit of the Chinese Nation
The legend of He Shi Bi is not just a story about a beautiful piece of jade; it is a microcosm of the Chinese national spirit. It represents the persistent pursuit of truth (Bian He offering the jade), the steadfast defense of national dignity (Returning the Jade Intact), and the belief in the legitimacy of power (the Imperial Seal).
In Chinese culture, jade is endowed with the virtues of a gentleman, such as "benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, courage, and purity." The arduous fate of He Shi Bi precisely confirms the difficulty and preciousness of these virtues. It reminds us that true value often requires time and tempering to reveal itself; true dignity needs wisdom and courage to defend; and true power should be a benevolent rule that is "received from Heaven, with eternal life and prosperity."
Even today, though He Shi Bi has vanished without a trace, its spirit lives on. It is not only a treasure of Chinese jade culture but also a cultural totem of the Chinese nation's indomitable spirit, pursuit of excellence, and reverence for integrity. Whenever we speak of jade, the story of He Shi Bi comes to mind, inspiring us to explore beauty, uphold goodness, and pursue truth, allowing this ancient jade culture to shine even brighter in the new era.