The Spring and Autumn and the Warring States Period (770–221 B.C.) was a golden age in ancient Chinese history. Not only did it produce many schools of thought that had a profound impact on future generations, but it also produced many outstanding military figures. Among them, there was Lin Xiangru, a famous statesman and diplomat from the state of Zhao.
Lin Xiangru returns the Heshi jade to Zhao
When the King of Qin heard that the King of Zhao had a piece of flawless Heshi jade, he desired the treasure for himself. He sent emissaries to Zhao, offering fifteen cities in exchange for the jade. The King of Zhao, upon receiving the message, appointed Lin Xiangru as his envoy to carry the jade to Qin.
When he arrived at Qin, Lin Xiangru held the jade in his hands and presented it to the king. The king of Qin was very pleased to receive the jade and found it to be a rare treasure indeed. Quite some time went by, yet the topic of trading cities for the jade remained conspicuously unaddressed by the king. Ingeniously, Lin Xiangru feigned a desire to point out a flaw in the jade, only to take it back and sternly declare: “Your Majesty promised fifteen cities for this jade. Yet, I see no sign of your sincerity. If the king wants the jade but refuses to fulfill his promise, I am prepared to smash both my head and this jade against a pillar here and now.”
Fearing the destruction of the jade, the Qin king vaguely reassured Lin Xiangru of his commitment to the exchange, suggesting he return to his lodgings to rest. Meanwhile, Lin Xiangru secretly arranged for the jade to be sent back to Zhao. Enraged upon discovering the jade’s return to Zhao, the Qin king, facing Lin Xiangru’s fearless stance, realized there was nothing he could do to change the situation so he continued to treat Lin Xiangru as an honored guest and then let him return to Zhao. The promised cities were never ceded to Zhao, and the Heshi jade remained in Zhao as well.
The meeting at Mianchi
Later, the King of Qin sought peace with Zhao to focus his forces on Chu and proposed a meeting at Mianchi, outside the Xihan River, to foster friendly relations. Lin Xiangru accompanied the Zhao king to this meeting.
At Mianchi, during the banquet, the Qin king, knowing of the Zhao king’s fondness for playing the zither, presented him with one and requested a performance. After the Zhao king played, a Qin historian recorded the event as the Qin king having ordered the Zhao king to play. Observing this, Lin Xiangru approached the Qin king with a wine jar and asked him to strike it to enhance the merriment. When the Qin king hesitated, Lin Xiangru boldly declared: “I am but five steps away from your Majesty. Should you refuse, I will spill your blood even if I have to die.” The Qin king, with no alternative, reluctantly tapped the jar. Lin Xiangru then had a Zhao historian note that the Qin king had struck the jar after being commanded by the Zhao king.
Midway through the banquet, a Qin minister boldly asked the Zhao king to cede 15 cities as a birthday tribute to the Qin king. Lin Xiangru, undeterred, retorted by asking the Qin king to offer his capital, Xianyang, as a blessing to the Zhao king. The banquet ended with the Qin king unable to gain the upper hand over Zhao. Following the meeting at Mianchi, Lin Xiangru’s astute and courageous defense of Zhao’s dignity and sovereignty against Qin’s ambitions earned him a high appointment above even the great general Lian Po. Zhao then fortified its borders in anticipation of Qin aggression, effectively deterring any Qin military advances.
Through these stories, we see that Lin Xiangru was a true statesman who served his country and the people with great wisdom and courage.
Translated by Audrey Wang
