Among the ancient dynasties of China that of the Chou, 1123 B.C., ranks
as one of the most important. The name of its founder, Wu Wang, means
“Warrior Prince,” and, though an usurper, he was a most exemplary
monarch. At that time there was constant conflict between the many
petty states, or kingdoms, each striving for the first place.
An interesting story is told of one of the great treasures of the
Kingdom of Chou. One day a poor workman found in the mountains a piece
of jade in the rough. He saw that, with polishing, it would be most
beautiful; and, making his way to the city, he sought the gatekeeper of
the Imperial Palace and asked to see his Emperor. As he declined to
give a reason, other than “I have business,” his request was refused.
Day after day he came until the officer in charge mentioned the matter
to the Emperor, who said that the next time he was to be brought before
him. Coming again some days later he was taken to the audience-room.
Here he prostrated himself before his Emperor and, holding out the
stone, said, “My Master, my Lord; in all the world under Heaven there
is no second piece of jade equal to this.”
The Emperor looked and laughed, saying, “You are a fool; that is only a
stone, common stone.” The man plead so hard that the Emperor sent out
and called in some expert workmen in precious stones, and they also
looked lightly upon it and said, “Only stone, only stone.” The Emperor
then commanded that the man be beaten and driven from the gate. This
was done. A few days after the man again appeared and plead his cause
so earnestly that a more expert workman was called who said, after
careful examination, “Only stone, common stone.” Then the Emperor was
very angry and commanded that the man’s legs be cut off and that he be
sent home. Months after the man was again carried to the palace gate;
here he pleaded so pitifully that the first workman in the kingdom be
called, saying, “If he says it is not good you may have my life.” The
Emperor was deeply impressed with the man’s persistence and had the
most expert lapidary known called. After looking at the stone carefully
he said, “Great Emperor, you are most favoured of the gods. I give you
joy.”
“And why say you so?” the Emperor asked.
“Because,” was the answer, “this stone is the most perfect jade under
Heaven. You will be the envy of all the kingdoms of the earth.” The
Emperor was distrustful, but he commanded that it be cut and polished
and the man who brought it be put in prison. After three days the
master-workman returned and delivered, with great reverence, the stone,
now indeed the most beautiful in all the world. “No words can describe
its loveliness. It is indeed from the gods, and only the gods should
wear it,” exclaimed the Emperor, as he held it in his hand. The poor
workman was given a great reward. Soon the fame of this wonderful
treasure spread over “all the earth”; songs were composed about it;
wonderful stories grew up around it until every king who heard of it
was filled with envy and sought, by fair or foul means, to possess it.
At last, when the Chou dynasty was going into a decline and the Chin
was coming into power, the Prince of Chin sent to the Prince of Chou
and promised him twelve cities in exchange for the jade treasure. The
Prince of Chou was very sad. He knew, if he did not accept the
proposal, the Prince of Chin would make war on him and take it by
force, and he also felt sure he would not get the promised cities. In
his despair he called his most trusted minister, Lui Hsiang Jui, who,
after hearing the demand, said, “My great and mighty Prince, do not be
troubled or anxious; let me take the treasure to the Prince of Chin. I
promise, on my life, to send it back to you if indeed he does not make
over the promised cities.” At last it was so decided, and the minister
started on his errand.
On reaching the palace of the Prince of Chin, he was welcomed with
great state and pomp. After the feasting and festivities were over he
presented the jade with great reverence and asked for the twelve
cities. The Prince of Chin said nothing in return, but feasted his eyes
on the beautiful stone. At last he said, “The residents of the inner
palace” (i.e., ladies) “have heard of this wonderful stone and are most
anxious to see it. I will send it in to them and you make ready for a
second feast I have prepared in your honour.” The minister went to the
apartments appointed for him, in great distress of mind. He felt sure
the Prince of Chin was not to be trusted, and he must think of some
plan by which he could recover the jewel. At the feast nothing was said
of the cities, though he inquired about them, and at last he pointedly
asked, “Prince of the Great Chin, do you know what it is in the jade
that makes it the most beautiful the gods have made?”
The Prince replied, “No, tell me.”
The minister replied, “Have the jade brought and I will show you.”
Immediately a servant was sent to bring the jade and at the command of
the Prince handed it to the Minister of Chou, who, on feeling it once
more in his hand, put it in his bosom and sprang to his feet. Putting
his back against a pillar, he said, “Great Prince, you think to deceive
my master, the very Great Prince of Chou; you do not intend to give him
the twelve cities. With my life I will protect this treasure of my
country, the pride of my Prince, and if any one attempts to take it
from me I will dash it to the ground and destroy it first.”
The Prince of Chin was afraid the jade would either be injured or
destroyed if a struggle for possession took place, so he caused the
minister to be locked in his rooms until he should willingly give it
up.
The news spread all through the kingdom. One day a poorly-clad stranger
came to the city and went from house to house begging. When he came to
the court where the Minister of Chou was confined, he managed to
communicate with him and let him know that he was a countryman of his
and would take the treasure home. The minister, Lui Hsiang Jui, folded
it in a paper and gave it to him. The next day the Prince of Chin sent
and demanded the jade. The minister said, “Tell your Great Prince I
have sent it back, as I promised, to my Liege Lord.” At first they did
not believe his story and a great search was made, but they could find
no trace of the treasure. The Prince of Chin was terribly angry and
commanded that the minister be killed; then, for fear of the Prince of
Chou, he allowed him to depart to his home and country, hoping that the
fortunes of war would bring the desired jewel into his possession. He
himself did not live to secure it, but long years afterward one of his
descendants overthrew the Kingdom of Chou and the much desired and long
struggled for jade treasure, “The joy of the gods,” came to the Kingdom
of Chin.