◎ Han Feizi
A man named He Shi in the State Chu discovered a rough jade in Chu Mountain, and submitted it to King Li with respect. The king ordered a jade craftsman to verify whether it was a true jade. The craftsman said, “It is a stone.” Believing He was cheating, King Li order to cut down the left foot of He.
After King Li of the State Chu died, Wu became the king. He presented the rough jade to King Wu again. King Wu also let the jade craftsman to verify the rough jade, and the craftsman answered again, “It is a stone.”
Also thinking He was deceiving him, King Wu cut down the right foot of He.
After King Wu passed away, Wen became the king. With the rough jade in his hands, He kept crying for three days at the foot of Chu Mountain. His tears dried, and finally blood shed out of his eyes.
Learning the news, King Wen sent a person to ask why he had kept crying, “Many people lose their feet as a penalty. Why are you so sad?”
He answered, “I’m not sad for the feet I’ ve lost. I am depressed because the valuable jade is considered a stone. This is the true reason why I am so sad.”
Then, King Wen immediately ordered the jade craftsman to refine the so-called stone, and actually got a valuable jade, and named it He’s Jade.
