Xiangru Returned the Jade¹ Intact to the Zhao State

完璧归赵

This story is set during China's Warring States Period(475一221 BC)，a time when seven states are pitting their military might in a protracted² contest for political hegemony. Of these states，Qin is the strongest，while Zhao is relatively³ small and weak. The King of the State of Qin learns that the State of Zhao possesses a priceless piece of jade known as the“He Family Tablet，”and be-comes determined⁴ to acquire it. He sends a messenger to Zhao，saying that he is willing to offer fifteen of his cities in ex-change for this treas-ure.The King of Zhao，well aware of the King of Qin's rep-utation for craftiness，fears that he will re-nege on the bargain once the tablet is in his possession.He dispatches Lin Xiangru，a counselor⁵ of humble⁶ background，to take the treasure to Qin and uphold the dignity of Zhao. The King of Qin is ecstatic when he lays eyes on the snow-white，glittering jade tablet. He clasps it possessively to his breast，but refuses to broach⁷ the subject of the fifteen cities he has promised in exchange.Lin Xiangru manages to retrieve⁸ the treasure from the King's grasp by pointing out a pretended flaw in the jade. Once he has the tablet in his hands，he sternly pro-claims that the King of Qin's word is meaningless，and that he，Lin Xiangru，will smash the treasure and defy the King，even if it means his own death. Unable to justify⁹ himself, the King has no choice but to allow Lin Xiangru to depart，and the “He Family Tablet" is returned to the State of Zhao intact and unharmed.

"完璧归赵”这个故事发生在七国争霸的战国时代。赵惠文王得到了一件宝贝—和氏璧，秦昭王听说后，派人送给赵王一封信，称愿意以15座城池交换和氏璧。当时秦国强大，赵国弱小。赵王既怕上当受骗，又怕秦兵来攻。正在一筹莫展之际，缪贤向赵王推荐了蔺相如。于是，赵王就派遣蔺相如带着和氏璧前往秦国。秦王在章台接见了蔺相如。蔺相如将和氏璧敬献给秦王，秦王非常高兴，并将璧传给侍列左右的美人和大臣观看。蔺相如见秦王丝毫没有给赵国城池的意思，便机智地走向前去对秦王说:“璧上有处瑕疵，请指给大王看。”秦王信以为真，便将璧交给了蔺相如。蔺相如拿到璧后，后退了一步站在一根柱子旁边，怒斥秦王不讲信义，并警告秦王:“如果你一定要来抢璧的话，那么，我的头和这块璧，今天就都撞碎在这根柱子上。”并拿着璧瞅着柱子，做出要击碎璧的样子。秦王怕和氏璧被摔碎，只好让有司拿过地图来，指着地图说从这里到这里巧座城池都给赵国。当天晚上，蔺相如让随从换上百姓的衣服，将和氏璧藏在怀里，从小路逃回赵国。秦王斋戒结束后，不见玉璧，大怒，欲杀蔺相如，但最后还是放了他。蔺相如不辱使命，和氏璧完壁归赵。