Lin Xiangru

Returned the jade intact to Zhao and upheld Zhao's honor at the Meeting at Mianchi; putting the state first, he gave ground to Lian Po.

Life

Returning the jade intact to Zhao

Lin Xiangru was originally a retainer of Miao Xian, the chief eunuch of Zhao. When King Zhao of Qin offered fifteen cities in exchange for Zhao's He Shi Jade, Lin Xiangru was sent as envoy to the State of Qin with the jade. Seeing that the King of Qin had no intention of handing over the cities, he held the jade and stood against a pillar, threatening to smash both the jade and his own head; in the end he had the jade secretly sent back to Zhao, an episode known as "Returning the jade intact to Zhao."

Meeting at Mianchi

In 279 BCE the King of Qin and the King of Zhao met at Mianchi. The King of Qin made the King of Zhao play the se zither, so Lin Xiangru in turn forced the King of Qin to strike a clay pot and had the Zhao court historian record it, upholding Zhao's dignity. After returning home he was appointed senior minister (shangqing).

Harmony of general and minister

Lian Po resented him, but he gave way at every turn, saying: "I act this way because I put the urgent needs of the state first and private grudges last." When Lian Po heard this, he came bearing thorns to beg forgiveness, and the two became friends unto death.

Legacy

Lin Xiangru's wisdom, courage and magnanimity made him one of the most famous diplomats of the Warring States, and "Put the state's urgent needs first and private grudges last" became a maxim recited through the ages.

Major works & achievements

• Returning the jade intact to Zhao
• Upheld Zhao's honor at the Meeting at Mianchi

Did you know? The idioms "Returning the jade intact to Zhao" and "worth several cities" both come from the story of the He Shi Bi jade.

Key dates

• 283 BCEReturning the jade intact to Zhao
• 279 BCEMeeting at Mianchi
• 279 BCEAppointed senior minister; harmony of general and minister