中國傳統文化 第27期:完璧歸趙

Xiangru Returned the Jade Intact to the Zhao State

完璧歸趙[qh]

This story is set during China’s Warring States Period (475-221 BC), a time when seven states are pitting their military might in a protracted contest for political hegemony.

“完璧歸趙”這個故事發生在七國爭霸的戰國時代（公元前475年-公元前221年）。

Of these states, Qin is the strongest, while Zhao is relatively small and weak.

趙惠文王得到了一件寶貝——和氏璧，

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 determined to acquire it.

秦昭王聽說後就像得到它，

He sends a messenger to Zhao, saying that he is wilLing to offer fifteen exchange for this treasure.

他派人送給趙王一封信，稱願意以15座城池交換和氏璧。

The King of Zhao，well aware of the King of Qin’s reputation for craftiness, fears that he will renege on the bargain once the tablet is in his possession.

當時秦國強大，趙國弱小。趙王既怕上當受騙，又怕秦兵來攻。

He dispatches Lin Xiangru, a counselor of humble background, to take the treasure to Qin and uphold the dignity of Zhao.

正在一籌莫展之際，繆賢向趙王推薦了藺相如。於是，趙王就派遣藺相如帶着和氏璧前往秦國。

The King of Qin is ecstatic when he lays eyes on the snow-white, glittering jade tablet.

秦王在章臺接見了藺相如。藺相如將和氏璧敬獻給秦王，秦王非常高興，並將璧傳給侍列左右的美人和大臣觀看。

He clasps it possessively to his breast, but refuses to broach the subject of the fifteen cities he has promised in exchange.

藺相如見秦王絲毫沒有給趙國城池的意思,

Lin Xiangru manages to retrieve the treasure from the King’s grasp by pointing out a pretended flaw in the jade.

便機智地走向前去對秦王說:“璧上有處瑕疵，請指給大王看。”

Once he has the tablet in his hands, he sternly proclaims 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.

藺相如拿到璧後，後退了一步站在一根柱子旁邊，怒斥秦王不講信義，並警告秦王:“如果你一定要來搶璧的話，那麼，我的頭和這塊璧, 今天就都撞碎在這根柱子上。”並拿着璧瞅着柱子，做出要擊碎璧的樣子。

Unable to justify 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.

秦王爲了兌現承諾，只好讓藺相如離開，藺相如不辱使命，和氏璧完壁歸趙。