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Lin Xiangru Stories — Returning the Jade, Mianchi Meeting, Bearing the Birch

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Lin Xiangru Stories — Returning the Jade, Mianchi Meeting, Bearing the Birch

Authors: Sima Qian, Records of the Grand Historian (史记·廉颇蔺相如列传) Year: c. 94 BCE (source text); slide deck undated Venue: Classroom slide deck Link: Chinese Literature & History Class Tags: papers chinese-history literature chengyu idioms Created: 2026-05-03T00:00:00Z Last Updated: 2026-05-03T00:00:00Z

Summary

This source presents three interconnected stories from Sima Qian’s Records of the Grand Historian about Lin Xiangru, a statesman of the Warring States period. Each story illustrates a Chinese four-character idiom (chengyu) still used today, demonstrating the values of intelligence, loyalty, dignity, and reconciliation.

Core Ideas

  • 完璧归赵 (Returning the Jade Intact to Zhao): Lin Xiangru volunteers to deliver the priceless He Shi Bi jade to the King of Qin, who has promised fifteen cities in exchange. When the king shows no intention of honoring the deal, Lin Xiangru threatens to smash the jade against a pillar, forcing the king to relent. He returns the jade intact to Zhao, and is rewarded with high office.

  • 渑池之会 (Meeting at Mianchi): The King of Qin invites the King of Zhao to a banquet at Mianchi — a dangerous diplomatic trap. When the Qin king humiliates the Zhao king by making him play music and recording it as an insult, Lin Xiangru forces the Qin king to strike a fou (clay drum) in return, preserving Zhao’s dignity. The King of Zhao returns safely.

  • 负荆请罪 (Bearing a Birch and Asking for Flogging): General Lian Po, jealous of Lin Xiangru’s higher rank, publicly threatens to humiliate him. Lin Xiangru deliberately avoids confrontation — not from fear, but to prevent internal conflict from weakening Zhao against Qin. When Lian Po learns of Lin Xiangru’s reasoning, he is overcome with shame, strips to the waist, carries thorny branches on his back, and kneels at Lin Xiangru’s door to beg forgiveness. The two become close friends, strengthening Zhao.

Teaching and Assessment Focus

  • Understand the historical context of the Warring States period.
  • Identify the three chengyu and their modern meanings.
  • Analyze Lin Xiangru’s leadership qualities: courage in diplomacy, strategic restraint, and prioritization of state over self.

Sources

  • sources/完璧归赵：蔺相如的智慧 (1).pptx
  • Sima Qian, 《史记·廉颇蔺相如列传》 (Records of the Grand Historian)

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