Lin Xiangru

Who is Lin Xiangru?

Lin Xiangru was a politician of the Warring States period, who served the state of Zhao. He figures prominently in two stories of the period, namely the episode of "Returning the Jade to Zhao", as well as the story of "Carrying Thorned Grass and Pleading Guilt".

Lin Xiangru was born sometime in the reign of King Wuling of Zhao, and due to his intellect and superior skills he rose quickly through the ranks of the Zhao bureaucracy. So when emissaries from the King of Qin came over to the Zhao court, demanding the He Shi Bi, a priceless jade artifact, to exchange 15 cities, Lin was already established in the Zhao court. He understood that King Huiwen of Zhao did not trust the King of Qin for such a promise and did not wish to give up such a priceless artifact; so he volunteered to go to the Qin court in order to persuade the king not to do such a thing.

When at the Qin court, Lin was offered 15 cities in exchange for the He Shi Bi; however, on closer inspection many of these cities were worthless and could easily be taken back by the Qin juggernaught. Therefore his resolve not to give the jade to Qin became even stronger.