Chu Shi Biao
Memorials written by Zhuge Liang (227-228)
The Chu Shi Biao refers to either of two memorials written by Zhuge Liang, the imperial chancellor of the state of Shu during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He presented them to Liu Shan, the second emperor of Shu. The first Chu Shi Biao, which is referred to as the "Former Chu Shi Biao", was presented in 227 before Zhuge Liang embarked on the first of a series of military campaigns against Shu's rival state, Wei. The second, known as the "Later Chu Shi Biao", was purportedly submitted in 228 before Zhuge Liang left for the second Northern Expedition.
The main topics addressed in the Chu Shi Biao included the reasons for the campaigns, as well as Zhuge Liang's personal advice to Liu Shan on how to govern and rule the state.
The authenticity of the Later Chu Shi Biao is disputed and many scholars believe that it was not written by Zhuge Liang.
Former Chu Shi Biao
The Former Chu Shi Biao was written in 227 and was recorded in Zhuge Liang's biography in the Sanguozhi.
At that time, Shu was recovering from its previous defeat at the Battle of Xiaoting in 222 and from the Southern Campaign against opposing forces in the south in 225. Zhuge Liang thought that Shu was weak so it had to be aggressive towards its rivals in order to survive. He decided to launch a campaign against Shu's rival state, Wei, in the north.
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