Lian Po was a prominent general of Zhao. In the sixteenth year of King Huiwen of Zhao, he led Zhao's forces in an attack on Qi, winning a decisive victory and capturing Yangjin. He was appointed Senior Counselor, and his valor became celebrated throughout the realm.
Lin Xiangru was a native of Zhao who served as a household attendant to Miao Xian, the Director of the Imperial Palace. During King Huiwen's reign, the kingdom of Zhao acquired the Heshi jade disk. When King Zhaoxiang of Qin heard of this, he sent a letter to the King of Zhao proposing to exchange fifteen cities for the jade. The King of Zhao consulted with the Grand General Lian Po and his ministers: "If we give Qin the jade, we may not receive their cities—we would only be deceived. But if we refuse, we risk military attack." No decision was reached, and they searched for someone capable of delivering a reply to Qin, but found no suitable candidate.
Miao Xian, the Palace Attendant, said: "My retainer Lin Xiangru is fit for this task." The king asked, "How do you know?" He replied, "Once I committed an offense and planned to flee to Yan. My retainer Xiangru stopped me, asking, 'How could you possibly know the King of Yan?' I told him, 'When I attended Your Majesty at a border meeting, the King of Yan privately took my hand and expressed a desire to befriend me.' From this, Xiangru understood him. So I decided to go. But Xiangru said, 'Zhao is strong and Yan is weak. Since you have enjoyed the king's favor, the King of Yan wishes to befriend you. But now you flee Zhao for Yan—Yan fears Zhao, so he will certainly not harbor you. Instead, he will bind you and hand you back to Zhao. You would do better to bare your back and kneel before the executioner's block, begging forgiveness.' I followed his counsel, and Your Majesty graciously pardoned me. I believe this man is both courageous and wise—fit for the mission."
The king thereupon summoned Lin Xiangru in audience and asked: "King Zhaoxiang of Qin offers to exchange fifteen cities for my jade. Should I agree?" Xiangru replied: "Qin is powerful and Zhao is weak—we cannot afford to refuse." The king said: "But what if they take the jade and do not give us the cities?" Xiangru said: "If Qin demands the jade in exchange for cities and Zhao refuses, Zhao is at fault. If Zhao surrenders the jade and Qin does not give the cities, Qin is at fault. Weighing the two options, it is better to agree and place the blame on Qin." The king asked: "Who can be sent?" Xiangru said: "If Your Majesty truly has no one else, I am willing to carry the jade and go. If the cities are handed over to us, the jade shall remain in Qin; if they are not, I will bring it back intact."
"I have come all this way, yet Your Majesty receives me in a humble hall with no ceremony. You take the jade and hand it to your servants—it is a mockery. Since Your Majesty has no intention of surrendering the cities to Zhao, I have reclaimed the jade. If Your Majesty forces me, my head and this jade shall shatter together against the pillar!"
Xiangru gripped the jade and cast a glance toward the pillar, as though he would strike it. The King of Qin, fearing the jade would be destroyed, apologized and urgently entreated him. Summoning his officials to consult the maps, he indicated fifteen cities that would be ceded to Zhao. Xiangru perceived that the King of Qin was only feigning an intention to give up the cities but could not actually fulfill the promise. So he declared: "The Heshi Jade is a treasure famed throughout the world. The King of Zhao, revering Your Majesty, dared not refuse it. When he sent the jade, he fasted for five days. Now Your Majesty should likewise fast for five days and arrange the nine-rank court banquet—only then shall I present the jade."