It comes from "The Prime Minister of Shu" by Du Fu, a poet of the Tang Dynasty. The original poem is "He died before he set out to conquer Wei, and the hero died in tears." Interpretation: Unfortunately, he died of illness in the army before he set out to attack Wei. The heroes of all ages were so moved that their clothes were wet with tears!
"Unfulfilled ambitions" may have been modified due to the sighs of later generations. It refers to Zhuge Liang's six trips out of Qishan in order to conquer Wei. In the twelfth year of Jianxing (234), the queen of the Shu Han Dynasty, he led the army and later left the Xie Valley and occupied Wuzhangyuan. He and Sima Yi held a stalemate across the Wei River for more than a hundred days. In August, he died of illness in the army. It shows high admiration for Zhuge Liang's dedication and regret for his unfinished career.
Original poem:
"Prime Minister of Shu" Tang Dynasty: Du Fu
Where can I find the ancestral hall of the Prime Minister? There is a lot of cypress outside Jinguan City. The green grass reflects the spring color on the steps, and the oriole sounds good in the sky through the leaves.
Three visits to trouble the world, two dynasties to open the hearts of old ministers. He died before leaving the army, which made the hero burst into tears.
Interpretation:
Where to find the ancestral hall of Wuhou Zhuge Liang? In the place with dense cypress trees outside Chengdu. The green grass reflects the spring color on the steps, and the orioles on the trees sing gracefully to each other in the air. The veteran minister who visited the thatched cottage frequently discussed the world's plans and assisted two generations of monarchs with loyalty. It's a pity that he died of illness in the army before he went out to attack Wei Dynasty. It often made the heroes of all ages wet their clothes with emotion!
Extended information:
Creative background:
In December of 759 AD (the second year of Emperor Suzong’s reign in the Tang Dynasty), Du Fu ended his wandering life and arrived in Chengdu, settled by the Huanhua River. In the spring of 760 AD, he visited Zhuge Wuhou Temple and wrote this touching song for all time.
Appreciation:
"The Prime Minister of Shu" is a historical and nostalgic poem written by Du Fu, a poet of the Tang Dynasty, after he settled in thatched cottage in Chengdu and visited Wuhou Temple the following year. This poem uses the tour of historical sites to express the poet's praise for Zhuge Liang, the Prime Minister of the Shu Han Dynasty, for his heroic talents, his assistance to two dynasties, and his loyalty to the country, as well as his regret that he died before his military expedition was successful.
The poem not only contains the orthodox concept of respecting Shu, but also expresses the emotion of being impoverished and facing difficulties. The words embody the feeling of thinking about things and people. The composition of this seven-law poem is twists and turns, natural and compact.
The first two couplets describe the scene in a free and easy way; the last two couplets discuss matters and people, and suddenly become gloomy. The whole article goes from scenery to people, from searching and admiring to recalling and recalling, from sighing and remembering to bursting into tears, with frustrations and heroic moments, and many twists and turns. The whole poem has great thoughts, deep feelings, is majestic and tragic, melancholy and frustrating, and has great power to shock people's hearts.
It expresses the poet's admiration for Zhuge Liang's intelligence and moral character and his feelings about his failed achievements. The whole poem combines emotions, scenes, and discussions. It not only comments on history, but also contains realistic metaphors. It can be called a masterpiece among the poems praising Zhuge Liang in the past dynasties.
Baidu Encyclopedia - Xiang Shu (ancient poem)