Source: Model
Author: Zhuge Liang
Original text:
Before the first emperor started his business, the middle road collapsed. Today he scored three points, and Yizhou was exhausted. This is a crucial autumn. But the guards worked tirelessly at home, and those who were loyal to their ambitions forgot to be outside, covering up the special experience of the former emperor and wanting to report to your majesty. Sincerely, it is advisable to open a holy court, with the honor of the late emperor and the spirit of the people. It is not advisable to belittle yourself, quote wrong words, and block the way of advice from loyal ministers. In the palace, everything is an organic whole and should not be punished or denied. If there are criminals who are honest and kind, they should be rewarded by this department to show your majesty's understanding, and you should not favor one over the other, making the internal and external laws different. Shi Zhong, Assistant Minister Guo Youzhi, Fei Yi, Dong Yun, etc. , are honest and sincere, are based on the advice of the first emperor left your majesty. Fools think that everything in the palace, big or small, must be discussed, and then it will be beneficial to the public. Xiang Chong, a general with good nature and smooth military skills. He tried it in the past, and the first emperor called it energy, which was supervised by the people. Fools think that knowing the situation of the camp and consulting them will definitely make the front line harmonious, and the advantages and disadvantages will be found. Pro-sages, far villains, this first Han is so prosperous; You little people, far from being wise ministers, have been so depressed in the Han Dynasty ever since. When the late Emperor was around, every time I talked to the minister about it, I always sighed and hated Yu Huan and Ling. Shi Zhong, Shang Shu, Chang Shi, joined the army. I know that I am the minister of Zhenliang's death sacrifice. I hope your majesty personally believes that the Han Dynasty will be prosperous. I was dressed in cloth and devoted myself to Nanyang. I risked my life in troubled times and didn't ask Wen Da to be a vassal. The first emperor didn't treat his ministers with meanness, and his accusation was self-defeating. He took care of his ministers in the thatched cottage and was grateful for what had happened in this world, so he promised the first emperor to drive him away. After the boat capsized, I was appointed as the defeated army and was ordered to face danger. I have been here for twenty years. The first emperor knew that I was cautious, and just when I was about to collapse, he sent a minister to attend a big event. Ever since I was appointed, I have been sighing all night, fearing that the entrustment will not work and hurt the understanding of my late emperor. So crossing the Luzhou River in May was deserted. Today, the south has been decided, and the armor is sufficient. Authorized by the three armies, the north settled in the central plains, the arrogance was completely destroyed, the traitors were completely eliminated, and the Han Dynasty was revived, still in the old capital. The minister was therefore loyal to His Majesty and the first emperor. As for profit and loss, if you keep your word, you will be willing to do so. May your majesty entrust the effect of bringing the dead back to life to the minister, and if it doesn't work, punish the minister severely and tell the spirit of the first emperor. If there are no words to promote virtue, blame you for being slow to show its blame; Your majesty should also ask for his own blessings, seek advice and kindness, observe words and deeds, and delve into the testaments of the previous dynasty. I am very grateful. Today, you should stay away from crying. You don't know what to say.
Translation:
The great cause initiated by the first emperor was not abandoned halfway, but abandoned halfway. Now the world is divided into three countries, and Yizhou people are scarce. This is indeed a critical period for the country. However, the court attendants, guards and other officials did not slack off at all. The loyal and ambitious soldiers on the battlefield were desperate, probably because they remembered the special kindness of the first emperor to them (the reason for the war) and wanted to repay you. (Your Majesty) You should really broaden the hearing of saints, carry forward the virtues left by the former emperor, and inspire the aspirations of people with lofty ideals. Don't underestimate your enemy, saying inappropriate words will block people's loyal persuasion.
Palace ministers and the imperial court are a whole, and there should be no distinction between rewards and punishments, good and bad. If there are people who do evil, violate the law and discipline, and do good faithfully, they should be handed over to the competent officials to judge whether they are punished or rewarded, so as to show your majesty's fair and strict governance, and there should be no favoritism and selfishness, so that the reward and punishment methods in the palace and the court are different.
Shi Zhong, assistant minister Guo Youzhi, Fei Yi, Dong Yun and others, all of whom are kind and upright people, have loyal aspirations and hearts, so the first emperor chose them to assist your majesty. I think everything in the palace, big or small, should be discussed with them, so that if it is implemented in the future, it will certainly make up for the shortcomings and omissions and get many benefits.
General Xiang Chong is kind, fair and proficient in military affairs. When he was appointed, the first emperor praised his talent, so everyone talked about it and recommended him as the central governor. I think that if everything in the army is discussed with him, it will definitely make the army unite as one, and the good guys and bad guys will find their own positions.
Being close to virtuous officials and alienating villains are the reasons for the prosperity of the Western Han Dynasty. Being close to villains and alienating virtuous officials are the reasons for the decline of the Eastern Han Dynasty. When the first emperor was alive, whenever he talked to me about these things, there was never a time when he didn't sigh, grieve and regret for what Huan and Ling had done. Shi Zhong, Shang Shu, Chang Shi and joining the army are loyal ministers who can serve the country with their lives. I hope your majesty will get close to them and trust them, then the prosperity of the Han dynasty will be just around the corner.
I was originally a civilian. I worked as a farmer in Nanyang. Living in troubled times, I didn't expect to become famous among princes. The first emperor didn't wronged himself because of my humble position and short knowledge. He visited me in my cabin three times and asked me for advice on major events in the current situation. I was so emotional that I promised to help the first emperor. I have encountered failure, accepted the task when I failed, and pursued my mission between crisis and hardship. It has been 21 years since then.
My late emperor knew that I was cautious and entrusted the affairs of state to me before he died. Since I accepted death, I have been sad and sighing in the morning and evening. I'm afraid that the great task entrusted to me by my late emperor can't be realized, which will damage my late emperor's understanding of people. So I crossed the Green River in May and went deep into sparsely populated places. Now that the south has been pacified and the troops and equipment are sufficient, we should encourage and lead the whole army to the north to pacify the Central Plains, hoping to exhaust my mediocre talents, eradicate the enemy of all evils, restore the inheritance of the Han family and return to my old capital. This is my duty to repay my late emperor and serve your majesty. As for handling affairs, it is the responsibility of Guo Youzhi, Fei Yi, Dong Yun and others to consider the reasons, make some changes and make loyal suggestions without reservation.
I hope your majesty can entrust me with the task of punishing Cao Wei and restoring the Han Dynasty. If I don't succeed, I will punish my sins, which will be used to comfort the spirit of my late emperor. If there is no proposal to revitalize Shengde, punish Guo Youzhi, Fei Yi, Dong Yun and others for neglecting to expose them; Your majesty should also plan for himself, solicit and inquire about the good truth of governing the country, adopt correct remarks and deeply remember the teachings left by the late emperor. I can't thank you enough
Today (I) will bid farewell to your majesty's long journey. I can't help crying in the face of this performance, and I don't know what I said.