Lin Xiangru

Also known as Lin Jun

Lin Xiangru of Zhao began as a retainer of the eunuch Miao Xian. When King Huiwen acquired the He jade and the King of Qin offered fifteen cities for it, Lin went as envoy; seeing that no cities would be handed over, he threatened to smash the jade against a pillar, then sent it home secretly, and was made a senior grandee. At the later meeting of the two kings at Mianchi, when the Qin ruler made the Zhao king play the zither, Lin forced him to beat an earthen pot, and he was made chief minister above the general Lian Po. Lian vowed to humiliate him, but Lin kept out of his way, putting the state before private grudges, until Lian came carrying thorns to beg forgiveness and they became friends for life. At Changping, though gravely ill, Lin warned in vain against giving Zhao Kuo the command. Sima Qian wrote that Lin's courage awed an enemy state and his yielding made his name weigh like Mount Tai.