6 将相和

Lesson Six

General and Premier Make Up

1. During the Warring States Period, State of Qin was the strongest and often attacked other countries.

2. Once, the King of Zhao got a priceless treasure, called He Shi Jade. When the King of Qin knew it, he sends a messenger to Zhao, saying that he is willing to offer fifteen cities exchange for this treasure.

3. After receiving the letter, the King of Zhao was very anxious and immediately called his ministers to discuss it.

4. Everyone said that the King of Qin just wanted to deceive He Shi Jade and that they should not fall for his tricks; however, they were also afraid that if they did not comply with the King’s demands, he would send troops to attack them.

5. When they were in trouble, some people said that there was a man named Lin Xiangru who was brave and witty. Maybe he could solve this difficult problem.

6. The King of Zhao called Lin Xiangru and asked him what to do.

7. Lin Xiangru thought for a moment and said, “I would like to take He Shi Jade to the State of Qin.

8. If the King of Qin really takes fifteen cities for it, I will give the Jade to him; otherwise, I will definitely send the Jade back.

9. If they don’t give us fifteen cities, it is they who are wrong.”

10. The King of Zhao and his ministers had no other choice but to send Lin Xiangru to Qin with He Shi Jade.

11. When Lin Xiangru arrived in the state of Qin, he went to the palace to meet the King of Qin, offering the He Shi Jade.

12. The King of Qin held the Jade with both hands, praised it while watching it, but refused to broach the subject of the fifteen cities he has promised in exchange

13. Lin Xiangru noticed that the King of Qin did not really want to change the city. He went forward and said, “There is a slight flaw in this Jade. Let me show you.”

14. After hearing what he said, the King of Qin handed the Jade to Lin Xiangru.

15. Lin Xiangru holding the Jade, back a few steps, stood against the pillar.

16. He sternly proclaimed, “I don’t think you will keep your promise and deliver the fifteen cities.

17. Now the Jade is in my hand. If you force me, my head and the Jade will smash together on this pillar!”

18. With that, he raised He Shi Jade and was about to hit the pillar.

19. The King of Qin was afraid that he would really smash the treasure, so he hurriedly said that everything was negotiable. Immediately, the King asked someone to take out the map and show Lin Xiangru the fifteen cities promised to be assigned to Zhao.

20. Lin Xiangru said that He Shi Jade was priceless treasure, and he could only hand it in after a grand ceremony.

21. The King of Qin could do nothing but agree with him on the date of the ceremony.

22. Lin Xiangru knew that the King of Qin had no sincerity in exchanging the city for the Jade. As soon as he returned to the guest house, he called his men to dress up and took He Shi Jade back to Zhao by side roads.

23. On the day of the ceremony, Lin Xiangru entered the palace to meet the King of Qin. He said to the King, “The He Shi Jade has been sent back to Zhao.

24. If you are sincere, you should first hand over the fifteen cities to our country, and our country will send people to deliver the Jade immediately. You have my words.

25. Otherwise, it’s useless for you to kill me. People all over the world know that the State of Qin is never trustworthy!”

26. The King of Qin had no choice but to send Lin Xiangru back to Zhao civilly.

27. This is the story of “Xiangru Returned the Jade Intact to the Zhao State”.

28. Lin Xiangru made a great contribution, and the King of Zhao made him a Shang Da Fu.

29. A few years later, the King of Qin made an appointment with the King of Zhao in Mianchi.

30. The King of Zhao and his ministers deliberated and said, , “If we go, there may be dangers; if we don’t, we will be too timid.”

31. Lin Xiangru thought it was better to go than to show weakness to the King of Qin, so the King of Zhao decided to go to the meeting and let Lin Xiangru go with him.

32. Senior General Lian Po sent them to Mianchi with Zhao army, and made preparations to resist the Qin soldiers.

33. The King of Zhao wand the King of Qin met in Mianchi.

34. The King of Qin asked the King of Zhao to play drums.

35. The King of Zhao couldn’t refuse, so he played the drum for a while.

36. The King of Qin asked people to record it, saying that at the Mianchi meeting, the King of Zhao played the drums for the King of Qin.

37. Lin Xiangru was very angry when he saw that the King of Qin insulted the King of Zhao like this.

38. He went to the King of Qin and said, “Please play the Fou for the King of Zhao.”

39. The King of Qin refused.

40. Lin Xiangru asked again, and the King of Qin refused again.

41. Lin Xiangru said, “You are only five steps away from me now.

42. If you don’t do that, I will die with you!”

43. The King of Qin was forced to beat the Fou.

44. Lin Xiangru also told people to record it, saying that at the Mianchi meeting, the King of Qin played the Fou for the King of Zhao.

45. The King of Qin Wang didn’t take advantage of it.

46. He knew that Lian Po was ready at the border, and he did not dare to do anything to the King of Zhao, so he had to let them go back.

47. Lin Xiangru made another contribution at the Mianchi meeting.

48. The King of Zhao named Lin Xiangru as Shangqing, and his position was higher than that of Lian Po.

49. Lian Po was very unconvinced. He said to others, “I am invincible in all attacks and victories, and have made many great contributions.

50. What have Lin Xiangru done? He talks a great game. How could he is superior to me.”

51. Once I meet him, I will give him a lesson!”

52. Lin Xiangru heard about that and then he asked for sick leave instead of going to court, so as not to meet Lian Po.

53. One day, Lin Xiangru went out in a carriage and saw Lian Po riding a tall horse from a distance. He quickly asked the coachman to drive back.

54. His men were not satisfied with him. They say that Lin Xiangru looks like a mouse to a cat when he meets Lian. Why should Lin be afraid of Lian?

55. Lin Xiangru said to them, “Please think about it. Who is better between General Lian and King of Qin?”

56. They said, “The King of Qin is definitely more powerful!”

57. Lin Xiangru said, “I’m not afraid of the King of Qin. Will I be afraid of General Lian?

58. As we all know, the King of Qin did not dare to attack our State, because Zhao has Lin Xiangru and Lian Po in civil and military affairs.

59. If we do not get along with each other, the power of Zhao will be weakened, and the State of Qin will surely take the opportunity to attack us.

60. What I have done is for our country!”

61. What Lin Xiangru has said was heard by Lian Po.

62. Lian Po thought about it calmly and felt that he should not ignore the national interests in order to win honor.

63. So he took off his robe, tied with twigs of the chaste tree on his back to beg forgiveness of Lin Xiangru.

64. Lin Xiangru came out to meet Lian Po warmly when he saw this.

65. From then on, they became good friends and worked together to defend the State of Zhao.