Zhuge Liang's famous saying "Do one's best": Do one's best until you die, which is an idiom in China. It means diligent, dedicated, and die. Often used to describe people's greatness.

It was published in The Last Teacher's List, which was recorded by Zhang Yan of the State of Wu during the Three Kingdoms period in Memories. It is generally considered to be the work of Zhuge Liang and the companion of the former teacher. The full text is good at exposition, conveying a sense of loyalty and heroism.

Full text (excerpt)

It is difficult for a husband to make peace, and things are also. Yesterday, the first emperor was defeated in Chu. At this time, Cao Cao clapped his hands and said that the world was settled. Then the first emperor joined wuyue in the east, Bashu in the west, soldiers in the north, and Xiahou beheaded. This is a mistake, and the Korean incident will be a success.

Then Wu Lian violated the alliance, Guan Yu was defeated, Zigui fell, and Cao Pi proclaimed himself emperor. Everything is like this, and it is hard to see irreversibility. I will do my best until I die. As for failure and outspoken, the minister doesn't know.

translate

What is difficult to judge is war. When the first emperor was defeated by Chu, Cao Cao clapped his hands and cheered, thinking that the situation in the world was settled. However, it was Cao Cao's fault that the first emperor allied with Sun Wu in the east and captured Bashu land in the west, and sent troops to the Northern Expedition and headed for the summer. It seems that the great cause of reviving the Han Dynasty is almost successful.

However, Sun Wu later changed course and violated the Covenant, Guan Yu was defeated and killed, the first emperor was defeated in Zigui, and Cao Pi proclaimed himself emperor. Everything is so unpredictable. I will try my best to rest until I die. As for the success or failure of the conquest of Wei Xinghan, whether it is smooth or difficult, it is unpredictable with the intelligence of the liegeman.

history

In the fifth year of lite (227), Zhuge Liang presented his "power" to Liu Chan and immediately led his army to Hanzhong. In the spring of the sixth year of Jianxing (228), Zhuge Liang set out to explore Qishan in the north. Wei Xi's Nan 'an, Tianshui and Anding counties opposed Wei's return to Han. After the Shu army occupied Longyou three counties, it ended the first Northern Expedition with the failure of Jieting and Ji Gu.

In the winter and November of the same year, Wei entered in a big way, Cao Xiu was defeated by Lu Xun, a general of Wu, and Zhang Hedong went down, and Guanzhong was extremely weak. Zhuge Liang thought it was time to attack and prepared the whole division to send troops to attack Wei. However, many ministers in Shu were content with pleasure, suspicious of marching, and produced many criticisms.

To this end, Zhuge Liang once again went to the table, painstakingly determined to crusade; Righteousness and sternness refute the mistakes of criticism. Because this time, it is the watch after the first time, so later people call it "after the teacher."