Chinese frown on bully lords

China’s communist leaders employ bully tactics for domestic acceptance and regional dominance. This is evident in Beijing’s treatment of dissident citizens, and its military muscle-flexing and trade sanctions in the wake of the Scarborough Shoal standoff. But the Chinese frown on bullying. Historical accounts extol those who stand up to bullies. Two such accounts pertain to Lin Xiangru, a high minister of Zhao during the Period of the Warring Kingdoms (476-221 BC).

The first story is about “Returning the Jade Intact to Zhao.” Though a puny state, Zhao was the keeper of the fabled He Shi Bi (Jade Disc of He), a perfect gemstone named after its discoverer Bian He. In 283 BC King Zhaoxiang of the mighty Qin domain coveted the jewel and offered Zhao fifteen cities for it (coining the saying, “valued at multiple cities”). Minister Lin Xiangru was dispatched to Qin to deliver the He Shi Bi, although he knew that his king felt very sad parting with it. At the Qin court Lin Xiangru learned that King Zhaoxiang’s offer was insincere. The gift cities were in fact preparing to invade Zhao at the king’s signal. Lin Xiangru sought an audience with King Zhaoxiang, to “confess” that the jade had a flaw. Scrutinizing the disc, the king could find no scar, so handed it to Lin Xiangru to show him where. Whereupon, Lin Xiangru grabbed the gemstone, threatening to smash it unless King Zhaoxiang agreed to delay the swap for three days. Lin Xiangru secretly ordered his servants to take the jade back to their kingdom (originating the idiom, “returning the jade intact to Zhao,” meaning, returning a possession to its rightful owner). Embarrassed that Lin Xiangru got the better of him, the bullying King Zhaoxiang had to spare his life and call off the invasion.

The other tale is about the aftermath of Lin Xiangru’s shaming the powerful Qin king. He earned fame throughout the warring states, and was elevated to chief minister of Zhao. Many courtiers were jealous of his success, foremost of whom was the old general Lian Po. One of the fiercest commanders at the time, Lian Po was so envious of Lin Xiangru that he swore hostility. Word reached Lin Xiangru, who deemed it best to avoid confrontation with Lian Po. When Lian Po’s carriage was going down the street, Lin Xiangru’s cortege, though with right of way, would back out to let Lian Po pass. Many saw it as a sign of weakness. Even Lian Po thought that the scholarly Lin Xiangru was afraid to fight a warrior like him. Lin Xiangru’s retinue began to grumble about his subservience to the general, and demanded an explanation. The chief minister replied: “The feud between Lian Po and me is a personal one, but I am in charge of the nation’s government, and he the nation’s security; I cannot let my personal life ruin that of the kingdom!” Upon learning of it, all Lian Po’s hatred melted to shame. He strapped brambles on his bare shoulders and walked from his house to Lin Xiangru’s to beg forgiveness.

(Many thanks to reader Wilson Y.L. for the research assistance.)

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The US Department of Defense is reconsidering the return to the Philippines of the Bells of Balangiga. Custody of the three bells has been an irritant in Philippine-American relations, and plans were made but ditched ten years back for their repatriation. The relics were taken as war trophy from the church of Balangiga town in Samar 110 years ago. The DOD is consulting officials in Washington, DC, Wyoming, and Manila about reviving the plans, according to a recent Wyoming News report.

Two of the bells have been on display for over a century at Fort D.A. Russell in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Now named F.E. Warren Air Force Base, it is the home of the US Army Ninth infantry Regiment that took the relics from the Philippines in 1901. The third bell travels with the Ninth Regiment, stationed in Korea when Philippine and US officials discussed the return in the last decade.

The regiment took the bells in retaliation for an “unprovoked attack” by Filipino insurgents that killed 48 US soldiers. Supposedly the attackers had used the bells to signal their dawn assault, the justification for treatment as war booty. Aside from disputing some historical details, the Philippines scoffs at the “unprovoked” label. Filipinos then were fighting for independence, and had routed the Spanish colonial army in Manila in 1898 when the Americans intervened to grab victory. After an uneasy truce, war broke out between the Philippines and the US in 1899-1902. In the “pacification” of Samar, the US Army slaughtered all males, even pre-teens, capable of carrying a gun, turning the island into a “howling wilderness.”

In the Wyoming News report, a defense spokeswoman confirmed that the Pentagon is talking to officials in the US and abroad for the return of the bells. She acknowledged that the relics have deep meaning for both sides. Regimental officers and US veterans view giving up the bells as a dishonor to fallen comrades. Filipino political, religious and civic leaders, academics and historians are as adamant for the return to honor the freedom fighters.

The US regards the war trophies as federal property, and only the Defense secretary has authority to move them. The Philippines deems the relics as national heritage. The Ramos and Arroyo administrations had discussed with Clinton and Bush counterparts the option of getting one each of the bells in Wyoming. The third would be halved and recast with new metal, so the allies would end each up with one-and-a-half bells. Critics from both sides were aghast at the “un-Solomonic solution.”

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