1. The late emperor’s business was not even half-way when the middle path collapsed. Today, Yizhou is suffering from fatigue and weakness. This is the time when the survival of the sincerity is in danger. However, the ministers of the bodyguard are tireless at home, and the loyal people forget about themselves outside. This is because they want to repay the special experience of the late emperor to His Majesty. It is sincerely appropriate to open Zhang Shengting to honor the legacy of the late emperor and to magnify the spirit of the people with lofty ideals. It is not appropriate to belittle oneself, to use metaphors that are unjust, and to block the road of loyalty and remonstrance.

Translation: The late emperor passed away half way through his great cause. Now the world is divided into three kingdoms. Our Shu Han country is weak and in a difficult situation. This is really a critical moment for the country's survival. However, the guards and ministers worked tirelessly at home, and the loyal and ambitious soldiers worked tirelessly on the battlefield. This is because they recall the late Emperor's special kindness to them and want to repay you, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty, you should listen to the opinions of others extensively to carry forward the virtues left by the late emperor and inspire the ambitions of those with lofty ambitions. You should not underestimate yourself too much and cite inappropriate metaphors to block the way. The path of faithful advice and remonstrance.

2. Being close to virtuous ministers and staying away from villains is why the early Han Dynasty prospered; being close to villains and being distant from virtuous ministers is why the later Han Dynasty declined. When the late emperor was still alive, whenever he discussed this matter with his ministers, he would always sigh and hate Huan and Lingye. Shi Zhong, Shangshu, Changshi, and the army are all ministers who know that Zhenliang died on the occasion of his death. I hope Your Majesty will love them and trust them. Then the Han Dynasty will be prosperous. You can count the days and wait for it.

Translation: Being close to the virtuous ministers and alienating the villains is the reason why the Western Han Dynasty prospered; being close to the villains and alienating the virtuous ministers is the reason why the Eastern Han Dynasty declined. When the late Emperor was still alive, whenever he discussed these matters with me, he would not fail to express his heartache and regret for what Emperors Huan and Ling had done.

Shizhong, Shangshu, Changshi, and soldiers are all loyal and honest ministers who are willing to die to serve the country. I hope that your Majesty will get close to them and trust them. Then the revival of the Han Dynasty will be just around the corner.

3. I am a commoner, working hard in Nanyang, trying to survive in troubled times, and not seeking to learn and reach the princes. The late emperor did not think that his ministers were despicable, and he was in vain. He paid close attention to his ministers in the thatched cottage three times. The counselors were grateful for the affairs of the world, so they allowed the late emperor to drive away. Later, when the army was overthrown, I was appointed to the position when the army was defeated, and I was ordered to be in danger. You have been here for twenty-one years.

Translation: I was originally a commoner, working as a farmer in Nanyang. I just wanted to survive in the troubled times, and I did not seek to be famous among the princes. The late Emperor did not feel wronged because of my humble status and short-sightedness, and visited me in my thatched cottage three times. He consulted me for my opinions on major current affairs, which moved me so much that I agreed to serve the late Emperor.

It has been twenty-one years since I was defeated, accepted the mission at the time of the defeat, and carried out my mission in the midst of crisis and tribulation.

4. The late emperor was cautious in informing his ministers, so he sent important matters to his ministers before his death. Since receiving the order, I have been lamenting all night, fearing that the entrustment would not be effective and would harm the late emperor's wisdom. Therefore, I crossed Lu in May and reached a barren depth. Now that the south has been secured and the troops are sufficient, it is time to lead the three armies to the north to secure the central plains. We will exhaust the common people and the slaves, eliminate the traitors, revive the Han Dynasty, and return the old capital. This minister owes his duty to the late Emperor and to be loyal to His Majesty.

Translation: The late emperor knew that I was cautious in my work, so he entrusted me with state affairs before his death. Since I accepted the mission, I have been worrying myself morning and night, fearing that I might not be able to complete the task which was entrusted to me, fearing that my sagacity would be damaged. Therefore, I crossed the Lu River in the fifth month, penetrating deep into a sparsely populated area.

Now that the south has been pacified and the soldiers and equipment are sufficient, we should inspire and lead the entire army to march north and pacify the Central Plains. I hope to use my mediocre talents to eradicate the treacherous and vicious enemies and restore the foundation of the Han Dynasty. , return to the old capital. This is what I used to repay the kindness of my late Emperor and fulfill my duty to Your Majesty.

5. May your Majesty ask your ministers to bring the thieves back to life. If this is not effective, then you will be punished for their crimes, so as to appeal to the spirit of the late emperor. If there is no word of virtue, then blame You Zhi, _, Yun, etc. for their slowness, so as to make the blame clear; Your Majesty should also make plans for yourself, consult the good ways, observe the elegant words, and follow the late emperor's edict deeply. I am extremely grateful.

Translation: I hope that your majesty can entrust me with the task of conquering Cao Wei and restoring the Han Dynasty. If I fail, I will be punished for my sins, so as to comfort the late emperor's spirit in heaven.

If there are no suggestions for revitalizing the holy virtues, punish Guo Youzhi, Fei _, Dong Yun and others for their negligence and expose their faults; Your Majesty should also make plans on his own, solicit and inquire about good principles for governing the country, and adopt them. Correct remarks, deeply recalling the teachings left by the late emperor before his death. I can't thank you enough.

Extended information:

"Shi Shi Biao" comes from Volume 35 of "The Chronicles of the Three Kingdoms: Zhuge Liang". It was during the Three Kingdoms Period (227) when Zhuge Liang, the Prime Minister of the Shu Han Dynasty, decided to go north to attack Wei and seize the throne. Chang'an (now the site of Chang'an City in the Han Dynasty) wrote a letter to the later master Liu Chan.

This essay is mainly argumentative, with both narrative and lyrical elements. After exhorting with sincere and euphemistic words, he mainly opened up the road of speech, strictly enforced rewards and punishments, and kept the virtuous and distant from the necessities, so as to revive the Han Dynasty and return it to the old capital; at the same time, he also expressed his thoughts of dedicating himself to the country and being loyal. The full text neither resorts to gorgeous rhetoric nor quotes ancient allusions, and is mostly written in four-character sentences.

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