Chu Shi Biao

There are two Chu Shi Biao (Chinese: 出師表; Wade-Giles: Chu Shih Piao; Pinyin: Chū Shī Biǎo) , the former (Chinese: 前出師表) and the second (Chinese: 後出師表) 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.

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, 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.

References

• (Chinese) Former Chu Shi Biao(前出師表) with modern Chinese translation [1].