This story is set during China’s Warring States Period (475 ~221 BC), a time when seven states are pitting their military might in a protracted contest for political hegemony.
“完璧归赵”这个故事发生在七国争霸的战国时代。
Of these states, Qin is the strongest, while Zhao is relatively small and weak.
赵惠文王得到了一件宝贝——和氏璧，
The King of the State of Qin learns that the State of Zhao possesses a priceless piece of jade known as the “He Family Tablet，” and be-comes determined to acquire it.
秦昭王听说后，
He sends a messenger to Zhao, saying that he is willing to offer fifteen exchange for this treasure.
派人送给赵王一封信，称愿意以15座城池交换和氏璧。
The King of Zhao，well aware of the King of Qin's reputation for craftiness, fears that he will renege on the bargain once the tablet is in his possession.
当时秦国强大，赵国弱小。赵王既怕上当受骗，又怕秦兵来攻。
He dispatches Lin Xiangru, a counselor of humble background, to take the treasure to Qin and uphold the dignity of Zhao.
正在一筹莫展之际，缪贤向赵王推荐了蔺相如。于是，赵王就派遣蔺相如带着和氏璧前往秦国。
The King of Qin is ecstatic when he lays eyes on the snow-white, glittering jade tablet.
秦王在章台接见了蔺相如。蔺相如将和氏璧敬献给秦王，秦王非常高兴，并将璧传给侍列左右的美人和大臣观看。
He clasps it possessively to his breast, but refuses to broach the subject of the fifteen cities he has promised in exchange.
蔺相如见秦王丝毫没有给赵国城池的意思,
Lin Xiangru manages to retrieve the treasure from the King’s grasp by pointing out a pretended flaw in the jade.
便机智地走向前去对秦王说:“璧上有处瑕疵，请指给大王看。”
Once he has the tablet in his hands, he sternly proclaims that the King of Qin's word is meaningless, and that he, Lin Xiangru, will smash the treasure and defy the King, even if it means his own death.
秦王信以为真，便将璧交给了蔺相如。蔺相如拿到璧后，后退了一步站在一根柱子旁边，怒斥秦王不讲信义，并警告秦王:“如果你一定要来抢璧的话，那么，我的头和这块璧, 今天就都撞碎在这根柱子上。”并拿着璧瞅着柱子，做出要击碎璧的样子。
Unable to justify himself, the King has no choice but to allow Lin Xiangru to depart, and the “He Family Tablet” is returned to the State of Zhao intact and unharmed.
秦王怕和氏璧被摔碎，只好让有司拿过地图来，指着地图说从这里到这里15座城池都给赵国。当天晚上，蔺相如让随从换上百姓的衣服，将和氏璧藏在怀里，从小路逃回赵国。秦王斋戒结束后，不见玉璧，大怒，欲杀蔺相如，但最后还是放了他。蔺相如不辱使命，和氏璧完壁归赵。
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