Lin Xiangru was a senior official and diplomat of the State of Zhao during the Warring States period. He is associated with three famous historical events: “Returning the Jade Intact to Zhao,” the “Mianchi Meeting”**, and “Carrying a Cane to Beg Forgiveness”*.
Returning the Jade Intact to Zhao
The State of Zhao possessed a priceless jade known as the “He Shi Bi.” The King of Qin greatly desired it and offered to exchange it with fifteen cities. The King of Zhao and his ministers all knew that the State of Qin had a history of breaking promises and likely intended to swindle the He Shi Bi without actually handing over the cities. However, if they refused to give the jade, they feared Qin would use it as a pretext to invade.
One minister recommended his retainer, Lin Xiangru. The King of Zhao asked, “The King of Qin says he will exchange fifteen cities for our He Shi Bi. Should we give it or not?” Lin Xiangru replied, “Qin is strong and Zhao is weak; we cannot refuse.” The King asked again, “If Qin takes the jade but does not give us the cities, what then?” Lin Xiangru said, “If Qin makes this demand and Zhao does not agree, then Zhao is in the wrong. But if Qin takes the jade and does not deliver the cities, then Qin is in the wrong. Comparing the two, I think the latter course is better.” The King of Zhao then sent Lin Xiangru as envoy to Qin with the He Shi Bi.
Upon arriving in Qin, Lin Xiangru presented the jade to the King of Qin. The king was overjoyed and passed it around for his ministers to admire, but made no mention of the exchange of cities. Lin Xiangru, seeing that the king had no sincerity, said to him, “This jade has a small flaw; allow me to point it out to you.” The king handed the jade back to him. Once Lin Xiangru had the jade in hand, he quickly retreated to stand beside a pillar and said to the king, “If you do not fulfill your promise to exchange fifteen cities for this jade, I would rather smash both myself and the jade against this pillar than hand it over to you.”
Fearing that he would destroy the jade, the King of Qin hastily apologized and ordered a map to be brought, pointing out fifteen cities from such-and-such a place to such-and-such a place that would go to Zhao. Lin Xiangru knew the king was not sincere and devised a delaying tactic. He said to the king, “Since Your Majesty treasures the He Shi Bi, Zhao dares not refuse to offer it. However, before sending the jade, the King of Zhao fasted and bathed for five days as a sign of respect. Your Majesty should also fast and bathe for five days before accepting the jade.” The King of Qin had no choice but to agree. After returning to his lodgings, Lin Xiangru secretly sent someone to take the jade back to Zhao.
Five days later, the King of Qin held a grand ceremony at court to receive the jade. Lin Xiangru calmly stepped forward and said to the king, “Since the time of Duke Mu of Qin, there have been over twenty rulers, but never has one been known for keeping promises. I feared being deceived by you, so I have already sent the jade back to Zhao. Zhao is weak and Qin is strong. If Your Majesty genuinely intended to exchange fifteen cities for the jade, Zhao would have absolutely no reason to refuse. You need only send an envoy, and Zhao would deliver the jade immediately. I did not wish to see Your Majesty bear the ill reputation of deceiving Zhao, so I sent the jade back first. If I have deceived Your Majesty, please punish me as you see fit.” The King of Qin and his ministers were furious but could not refute him. Moreover, Lin Xiangru was unafraid of death, and killing him would serve no purpose while tarnishing Qin’s reputation. So they released him, hoping to show that Qin was magnanimous and not seeking to swindle Zhao of its jade.
Lin Xiangru not only preserved Zhao’s treasure and gave Qin no pretext for aggression, but also won Zhao a good reputation. His fame soared as a result.
The phrase “Returning the Jade Intact to Zhao” became a proverb, meaning to return something to its owner in perfect condition.
Origin: “The Records of the Grand Historian: The Biographies of Lian Po and Lin Xiangru”
* https://mandarinandculture.com/carrying-a-cane-to-beg-forgiveness
**https://mandarinandculture.com/the-mianchi-meeting
#43 完璧归赵
蔺相如是战国时期赵国上卿，外交家。他与”完璧归赵”、”渑池之会”**和”负荆请罪”*三个著名历史事件有关。
完璧归赵
赵国有块价值连城的“和氏璧”，秦王很想得到它，说愿以十五座城池来交换。赵王和大臣们都知道，秦国一向不守信用，很可能只是想骗走和氏璧，不会真的给城池。但是如果不给秦国这块玉，又怕秦国抓住把柄，就此发兵来犯。
一个大臣推荐了他的门客蔺相如。赵王问：“秦王说用十五座城来换赵国的和氏璧，给还是不给？”相如说：“秦强赵弱，我们不能回绝。”赵王又问：“若秦收了和氏璧，又不给我们城池，怎么办呢？”蔺相如说：“秦国提出这个要求，要是赵国不答应，是赵国理亏，若是秦国收了赵国的玉璧，又不给城池，那就是秦国理亏了。比较起来，我看还是后一种办法好。“ 赵王于是派蔺相如带着和氏璧出使秦国。
蔺相如到了秦国后，把和氏璧献给秦王。秦王拿到玉后，非常高兴，把玉传给大臣们欣赏，却一点也没有提交换城池的事情。蔺相如看出秦王没有诚意，就对秦王说：“这块玉有一点小瑕疵，让我指出来给您看。”秦王就把玉还给了他。蔺相如拿回和氏璧后，立刻退到柱子旁边，对秦王说：“如果您不兑现用十五座城交换和氏璧的承诺，我宁可和这块玉一起撞碎在柱子上，也不会把玉交给您。”
秦王唯恐他砸毁了玉璧，连忙向他赔礼道歉，并让人拿来地图，指点着说从某某地到某某地的十五座城归赵国。蔺相如知道秦王并非认真，也就来个缓兵之计。他对秦王说：“秦王既然喜爱和氏璧，赵国不敢不奉献。只是赵王送璧前曾沐浴斋戒五日，表示恭敬，大王也该沐浴斋戒五日，才可接受和氏璧。” 秦王只好答应。蔺相如回到住处后，派人偷偷地带着和氏璧逃回了赵国。
五天过后，秦王在朝廷上举行了隆重的仪式，准备接收和氏璧。蔺相如从容地走上前对秦王说：“秦国自秦穆公以来，已历二十几位国君，可从没听说过哪位国君讲过信义。我担心受了您的骗，已派人把宝玉送回赵国了。赵是弱国，秦是强国，如果秦王是真心诚意地用十五座城池来换赵国的和氏璧，赵国绝没有不答应的理由，只要派一个使臣去，赵国马上就会送和氏璧来。我不愿看着大王背上欺骗赵国的坏名声，所以把玉璧先送回赵国。就算我欺骗了大王，请大王治我的罪吧。” 秦王和大臣们十分恼怒可又无可辩驳。蔺相如又不怕死，杀了他也没用，反落下个恶名。只好放了蔺相如，以显得秦国宽怀大度，并非诈取赵国的玉璧。
蔺相如既保全了赵国的玉璧，又没给秦国落下把柄，还为赵国赢得了一个好名声。蔺相如也因之声誉鹊起。
“完璧归赵”成为一个成语，比喻把原物完好地归还主人。
出自《史记 廉颇蔺相如列传》
*https://mandarinandculture.com/carrying-a-cane-to-beg-forgiveness
**https://mandarinandculture.com/the-mianchi-meeting