In the Warring States Period (475 BC-221 BC), King Hui of the State Zhao obtained a rare jade named He’s Jade. Hearing the news, the king of the State Qin envied very much, and desired to have it.
Then he had an idea. He thought his state was more powerful than the State Zhao, and then wrote to King Zhao, saying he was willing to exchange He’s Jade for 15 towns. In fact, he just wanted to have the treasure through cheating, but didn’t really plan to keep his promise.
Though seeing King Qin was playing a trick, King Zhao didn’t dare to refuse. They feared that King Qin would attack their country for this excuse. Thus, King Zhao and his ministers were at a loss as to what to do.
Just when King Zhao hesitated, Lin Xiangru, one of his ministers, came to see King Zhao, and said, “Please allow me to take He’s Jade to King Qin. If King Qin really gives us 15 towns, I will give him the treasure. Otherwise, I will take the jade back to Your Majesty.” King Zhao had to agree.
Lin Xiangru met the King of the Qin State and presented the He’s Jade to him. He was so excited to see it that he forgot what he promised.
When seeing King Qin didn’t want to keep the promise at all, Lin Xiangru walked to King Qin with calmness, “Your Majesty, this jade has a little flaw. But it is difficult to see it. Please let me show you!”
Believing what Lin Xiangru said, King Qin hurried to return the jade to Lin.
After getting the jade, Lin Xiangru leaned against a column, shouting in a high voice, “I see Your Majesty have no intention to give our king the towns, so I have taken back the jade. If you oblige me, I will knock my head and this jade on the column!”
King Qin got irritated, but feared Lin Xiangru would really break the jade, so said kindly, “We will hold a ceremony in several days to exchange the jade for the towns.”
Realizing King Qin was playing a trick again, Lin Xiangru ordered his man to send the jade to the State Zhao in private.
On the day when the ceremony was held, Lin Xiangru said to King Qin calmly, “Your Majesty, I have sent He’s Jade back to the State Zhao. If you have the good faith, please first give us the towns, and I will give you He’s Jade at once. If you are angry, you may kill me now. However, you still can’t have the jade, but all the people will know the State Qin is not believable.”
King Qin was so angry as to hit the ceiling, but had no other choice but allow Lin Xiangru to return home.
This story comes from Historical Records: Biographies of Lian Po and Lin Xiangru. Later, people use this proverb to show one manages to return something intact to its owner.
