English Original
Let's go to China, over two thousand years ago, to a time called the "Period of the Warring States." Seven kings from seven different states warred fiercely with each other. The weakest state was Han, and the strongest was Chu.
One day, a Han court official purchased a beautiful piece of jade. A jade expert appraised it and declared it the legendary Jade Treasure, a priceless gem with marvelous color and special virtues like shining in the dark and repelling insects.
News traveled fast. The King of Han wanted to see the treasure. Fearing the king would take it, the official considered fleeing. His houseguest, a young man named Gan, advised, "That would not be wise. Offer it to the king outright as a gift." The official did so and was promoted.
Soon, the powerful King of Chu heard of the treasure. "We are the strongest state! We should have it!" he declared. He sent a message to Han, offering 15 cities in exchange. Privately, he told his mandarin, "Once we have the jade, who will remember the 15 cities? What can weak Han do about it?"
The King of Han was worried. Would Chu keep its promise? His new chamberlain suggested seeking Gan's advice. Gan was summoned.
"My king," said Gan, "we must surrender the stone to avoid invasion. Let me be your envoy. Entrust the Jade Treasure to my care. I promise to return it if Chu breaks its word."
To ensure a lucky journey, the Han court fasted for three days, then held a grand send-off feast. With great reverence, Gan wrapped the jade in an embroidered silk pouch and set out with attendants.
In Chu, he was honorably received. When presenting the treasure, the stone gleamed with mesmerizing radiance. The king admired it and passed it around his court. Gan waited, but the jade was not returned, and no one mentioned the 15 cities.
Seeing this, Gan said, "Sire, there is a flaw in the jade. Please let me show you." Once the stone was back in his hands, he stepped near a pillar. "We came in good faith for your offer of 15 cities. If you are acting in good faith, fast for three days and hold a grand ceremony for the exchange. If not, I will smash the jade against this pillar now!"
The King of Chu hastily agreed to the ceremony. For the next three days, he sent a servant each morning to check that Gan still had the jade. Meanwhile, Gan sent a disguised attendant to spy and discovered there was no fast, only a mad scrambling to prepare a hasty ceremony. On the ceremony day, after the king's servant checked on him, Gan secretly sent his most trusted attendant back to Han with the jade.
At the ceremony, Gan announced, "O King, we hesitated because you never discussed the 15 cities. Your state is strong; ours is weak. I had no choice but to send the jade back with my attendant. He is likely halfway home by now."
The court gasped. "This is an outrage!" cried the King of Chu. "You broke the bargain!"
"Kill me if you wish," said Gan. "But only I know my attendant's route. Bring the deeds to the 15 cities, and I will take you to him for a simultaneous exchange. If not, boil me in oil. Let the other states judge you for killing a messenger from the weakest kingdom."
The King of Chu knew killing Gan could inflame other states against him. He also had no deeds prepared, as he never intended to deliver the cities. Thinking quickly, he laughed. "Ah, this was all a test to see how Han handles negotiations! You have performed honorably. Stay for the banquet and return home in peace tomorrow."
Gan returned safely to Han. The King of Han, overjoyed at getting his treasure back, promoted Gan to the highest rank. The King of Han never received the 15 cities, and the King of Chu never received the Jade Treasure.
中文翻译
让我们回到两千多年前的中国，一个被称为“战国时期”的时代。七个国家的君王彼此激烈征战。其中最弱的是韩国，最强的是楚国。
一天，一位韩国官员买到了一块美丽的玉石。一位玉石专家鉴定后，宣布这是传说中的宝玉，是一件无价的珍宝，拥有非凡的色彩和特殊功效，例如能在黑暗中发光、驱虫。
消息传得很快。韩王想看看这件宝物。官员担心国王会夺走它，考虑逃跑。他的门客，一位名叫甘的年轻人建议道：“那样不明智。不如直接将它作为礼物献给国王。”官员照做了，并得到了晋升。
不久，强大的楚王听说了这件宝物。“我们是最强大的国家！它应该属于我们！”他宣称。他派人送信给韩国，提出用十五座城池交换。私下里，他对他的大臣说：“一旦我们拿到玉，谁还会记得十五座城？弱小的韩国又能怎样？”
韩王很担忧。楚国会信守承诺吗？他的新任大臣建议征求甘的意见。甘被召见。
“大王，”甘说，“我们必须交出宝玉以避免入侵。让我做您的使者。将宝玉托付给我。我保证，如果楚国食言，我一定将它带回来。”
为确保旅途顺利，韩国朝廷斋戒三日，然后举行了盛大的饯行宴会。甘怀着极大的敬意，将宝玉包进一个绣花丝质小袋中，带着随从出发了。
在楚国，他受到了隆重接待。呈上宝物时，玉石闪烁着迷人的光辉。楚王欣赏后，将它传给朝臣们观看。甘等了很久，但宝玉没有送回来，也没有人提及十五座城池。
见此情形，甘说：“陛下，这玉有一点瑕疵。请让我指给您看。”宝玉一回到他手中，他便退到一根柱子旁。“我们怀着诚意而来，是为了您许诺的十五座城。如果您也诚心交易，请斋戒三日，举行盛大仪式来完成交换。否则，我现在就用这玉砸碎这根柱子！”
楚王慌忙同意了举行仪式。接下来的三天，他每天早晨派仆人去确认甘是否还拿着玉。同时，甘派一名伪装过的随从去探查，发现根本没有斋戒，只有为仓促安排的仪式而进行的疯狂准备。在仪式当天，楚王的仆人检查过后，甘秘密派他最信任的随从带着宝玉返回了韩国。
在仪式上，甘宣布：“大王，您从未提及许诺的十五座城，我们自然有所犹豫。贵国强，我国弱。我别无选择，只能让我的随从带着宝玉先回去了。此刻他恐怕已经走到半路了。”
满朝哗然。“这真是岂有此理！”楚王跳起来喊道，“你违背了约定！”
“要杀便杀，”甘说，“但只有我知道我的随从走的路线。带上十五座城的契约，我现在就带您去找他，同时交换。如果您不同意，就把我扔进油锅吧。让其他诸侯国来评判您杀害最弱国家的使者是对是错。”
楚王知道杀死甘可能会激怒其他国家联合对抗他。他也没有准备城契，因为他从未打算交付城池。他急中生智，大笑起来：“啊，这整个事件都是我设计的一个测试，想看看韩国如何处理谈判！你表现得很出色。留下来参加宴会，明日平安回国吧。”
甘安全返回韩国。韩王因宝物失而复得大喜过望，将甘晋升为最高官职。韩王最终没有得到那十五座城，楚王也当然没有得到那件宝玉。