Chu Shi Biao
Encyclopedia
There are two Chu Shi Biao ' onMouseout='HidePop("79466")' href="/topics/Wade-Giles">Wade-Giles
: Chu Shih Piao; Pinyin
: Chū Shī Biǎo) , the former and the second were documents submitted by Shu Han
Prime Minister
Zhuge Liang
to Emperor Liu Shan
before his first and second Northern Expedition
of Wei
, in 225 and 226, respectively. The main topics addressed by Chu Shi Biao included the reasons for the Wei expedition, as well as advice to Liu Shan on governing the kingdom.
Zhuge Liang first addressed the dangerous situation of Shu Han at that time. He warned Emperor Liu Shan that the work of the previous Emperor, Liu Bei
, was not finished. Although Liu Bei had successfully built a new kingdom, Shu Han was still the weakest out of the Three Kingdoms
. If dire measures were not taken, Shu Han could very well fall into destruction and elimination as an entity. Zhuge Liang also noted that although the situation was dire, many Shu officials were not disheartened, but rather, working hard to ensure the survival of Shu Han.
Zhuge Liang advised Emperor Liu Shan in the second section. He gave three main pieces of advice: transparency and willingness to accept criticism, fair judgment, and to avoid petty and corrupt officials. Zhuge Liang asked Liu Shan to control his speech and dignity, and to listen for new ideas so that the works of Liu Bei would not be lost. He also addressed the importance of good judiciary, calling for Liu Shan to treat every officials the same way and avoid favoritism. In this subsection, Zhuge Liang recommended three officials to Liu Shan (Guo Youzhi
, Fei Yi
, and Dong Yun
) to decide any political matters, citing their dedication and Liu Bei's trust of them. Zhuge Liang's last advice was to avoid corrupt officials. He cited the fall of the Han Dynasty and urged Liu Shan to take heed. He also recommended additional officials (Chen Zhen, Zhang Yi
, and Jiang Wan
) to Liu Shan.
In the third section, Zhuge Liang illustrated his own history. Describing Liu Bei's three visits and the 21 years of war, Zhuge Liang hoped to invigorate Liu Shan's resolve in continuing building the kingdom. He also hoped that Liu Shan would be able to look for wise officials and put his trust in them. The two main reasons for this Northern Expedition were also given in this section. First, Liu Bei's will to Zhuge Liang instructing him to direct the kingdom, and also the extermination and pacifying of the Southern borders of Shu Han.
In the last section Zhuge Liang addressed the roles of Liu Shan. He believed the Emperor should accept the responsibility of ruling and be an example to the officials of Shu Han, as well as providing political transparency and avoid corruptions. The Chu Shi Biao ended with Zhuge Liang's expression of his loyalty and emotions.
Wade-Giles
Wade–Giles , sometimes abbreviated Wade, is a romanization system for the Mandarin Chinese language. It developed from a system produced by Thomas Wade during the mid-19th century , and was given completed form with Herbert Giles' Chinese–English dictionary of 1892.Wade–Giles was the most...
: Chu Shih Piao; Pinyin
Pinyin
Pinyin is the official system to transcribe Chinese characters into the Roman alphabet in China, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. It is also often used to teach Mandarin Chinese and spell Chinese names in foreign publications and used as an input method to enter Chinese characters into...
: Chū Shī Biǎo) , the former and the second were documents submitted by Shu Han
Shu Han
Shu Han was one of the three states competing for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period, after the fall of the Han Dynasty. The state was based on areas around Sichuan, which was then known as Shu...
Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Zhuge Liang
Zhuge Liang
Zhuge Liang was a chancellor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He is often recognised as the greatest and most accomplished strategist of his era....
to Emperor Liu Shan
Liu Shan
Liu Shan, , was the second and last emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. As he ascended the throne at the young age of 16, Liu Shan was entrusted to the care of the Chancellor Zhuge Liang and Imperial Secretariat Li Yan...
before his first and second Northern Expedition
Jiang Wei's Northern Expeditions
Jiang Wei's Northern Expeditions refer to a series of nine military campaigns launched by Shu Han general Jiang Wei against the rival state of Cao Wei from 247 to 262 during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Each expedition was aborted eventually due to inadequate food supplies or...
of Wei
Cao Wei
Cao Wei was one of the states that competed for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period. With the capital at Luoyang, the state was established by Cao Pi in 220, based upon the foundations that his father Cao Cao laid...
, in 225 and 226, respectively. The main topics addressed by Chu Shi Biao included the reasons for the Wei expedition, as well as advice to Liu Shan on governing the kingdom.
Content
The former Chu Shi Biao can be roughly divided into four different sections.Zhuge Liang first addressed the dangerous situation of Shu Han at that time. He warned Emperor Liu Shan that the work of the previous Emperor, Liu Bei
Liu Bei
Liu Bei , also known as Liu Xuande, was a warlord, military general and later the founding emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history...
, was not finished. Although Liu Bei had successfully built a new kingdom, Shu Han was still the weakest out of the Three Kingdoms
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms period was a period in Chinese history, part of an era of disunity called the "Six Dynasties" following immediately the loss of de facto power of the Han Dynasty rulers. In a strict academic sense it refers to the period between the foundation of the state of Wei in 220 and the...
. If dire measures were not taken, Shu Han could very well fall into destruction and elimination as an entity. Zhuge Liang also noted that although the situation was dire, many Shu officials were not disheartened, but rather, working hard to ensure the survival of Shu Han.
Zhuge Liang advised Emperor Liu Shan in the second section. He gave three main pieces of advice: transparency and willingness to accept criticism, fair judgment, and to avoid petty and corrupt officials. Zhuge Liang asked Liu Shan to control his speech and dignity, and to listen for new ideas so that the works of Liu Bei would not be lost. He also addressed the importance of good judiciary, calling for Liu Shan to treat every officials the same way and avoid favoritism. In this subsection, Zhuge Liang recommended three officials to Liu Shan (Guo Youzhi
Guo Youzhi
Guo Youzhi, style name Yanchang , was a minister of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Before the Northern Expeditions, Guo Youzhi was described by Zhuge Liang in the Chu Shi Biao as exceedingly loyal and faithful, along with Dong Yun and Fei Yi. Guo Youzhi was afterwards...
, Fei Yi
Fei Yi
Fei Yi, style name Wenwei , was an official of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He succeeded Jiang Wan as regent of Shu Han, and avoided major expedition against rival state, Cao Wei...
, and Dong Yun
Dong Yun
Dong Yun , style name Xiuzhao , was a minister of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history.-Biography:...
) to decide any political matters, citing their dedication and Liu Bei's trust of them. Zhuge Liang's last advice was to avoid corrupt officials. He cited the fall of the Han Dynasty and urged Liu Shan to take heed. He also recommended additional officials (Chen Zhen, Zhang Yi
Zhang Yi (Bogong)
Zhang Yi , style name Bogong, was a general of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. Originally from Wuyang and a descendant of Zhang Liang, he became Liu Bei's commander after Liu Bei had captured Yizhou...
, and Jiang Wan
Jiang Wan
Jiang Wan , style name Gongyan , was an official of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. After Zhuge Liang's death, he succeeded Zhuge as the regent for the Shu emperor, Liu Shan.-Early career:...
) to Liu Shan.
In the third section, Zhuge Liang illustrated his own history. Describing Liu Bei's three visits and the 21 years of war, Zhuge Liang hoped to invigorate Liu Shan's resolve in continuing building the kingdom. He also hoped that Liu Shan would be able to look for wise officials and put his trust in them. The two main reasons for this Northern Expedition were also given in this section. First, Liu Bei's will to Zhuge Liang instructing him to direct the kingdom, and also the extermination and pacifying of the Southern borders of Shu Han.
In the last section Zhuge Liang addressed the roles of Liu Shan. He believed the Emperor should accept the responsibility of ruling and be an example to the officials of Shu Han, as well as providing political transparency and avoid corruptions. The Chu Shi Biao ended with Zhuge Liang's expression of his loyalty and emotions.