A Jade Worth Cities

This idiom“A Jade worth Cities” derives from the story of King Zhaoxiang of Qin State wanted to get Jade of Heshi at the cost of 15 cities.

Jade of He Shi is named after Bian He, a woodchopper of Chu State of the Warring States Period. Bian He knew jades well. One day, when he was chopping wood on Jing Mountain, he found a raw jade. He knew the state treasury was almost empty, let alone jades, for which other states always looked down upon Chu on this respect. So he decided to dedicate this raw jade to the country, namely to King Li of Chu State.

He contributed it to King Li. But the King didn't appreciate it and said that Bian He cheated him by a stone to pretending to be a jade, not to say to reward him, and ordered to chop off one of Bian's feet.

After the death of King Li of Chu, King Wu succeeded the throne. Once again Bian He contributed the jade to the new King. This time the jade-appreciating official created some difficulties and the contribution failed again. Bian He was cut off the other foot.

Bian He still desired to contribute the jade to the country even though he lost his two feet. After the sudden death of King Wu, King Wen of Chu succeeded the throne. Bian He headed for Ying, the capital of Chu, to contribute the jade for the third time.

King Wen of Zhao was a real smart king and he knew jade well. As soon as Bian He showed the jade, the king recognized it was a real treasure at the first sight. After some carving and polishing, the jade was shining beautifully.

In order to reward Bian's brave behavior to dedicate the jade to the country, King Wen of Chu named the jade“Jade of Heshi”.

As time flied, Jade of He Shi was passed down around and at last came to King Huiwen of Zhao. King Zhaoxiang of Qin wanted to get the jade too, so he sent a letter to King Huiwen of Zhao to say that he wanted to trade the jade with 15 cities. So the value of Jade of Heshi appeared extremely rocketing up.

Today, people use Jade of Heshi to express that something is valuable and priceless.

It indicates that college students will always be appreciated only if you have your real value.