During the Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang, the chancellor of Shu, was deeply loyal to his lord Liu Bei, who valued him greatly. On his deathbed, Liu Bei told Zhuge Liang, "Your talent is ten times that of Cao Pi, Emperor of Wei—you are a rare talent for governing the realm. If my son Liu Shan can be guided, guide him; but if he proves unworthy, you may take the throne yourself."
Zhuge Liang immediately swore an oath, declaring, "I will devote all my strength to assisting Liu Shan in governing the state."
After Liu Bei died, Liu Shan ascended the throne. His abilities were quite mediocre. Imperial Secretary Li Yan took the opportunity to urge Zhuge Liang to take a noble title and proclaim himself king. Zhuge Liang replied sternly, "The late emperor trusted me so deeply, appointing me as his chancellor. Now that the great task of conquering Cao Wei remains unfinished, if I were to rashly promote myself and seek higher rank, would that not be utterly disloyal and unjust?"
During the Three Kingdoms period, Shu was the weakest of the three states. Facing the mighty Cao Wei, Zhuge Liang advocated resisting to survive. He advised Liu Shan not to be arrogantly self-satisfied, but to govern internally and strengthen military might externally, allowing Shu to endure for nearly forty years.
Zhuge Liang always governed the state and army by reasoning with people. Advisor Ma Su had a close bond with Zhuge Liang, but because he violated military regulations, leading to the loss of Jieting, Zhuge Liang executed him with tears. Before his death, Ma Su wrote to Zhuge Liang, saying, "Though I die, I have no regrets in the underworld."
The loss of Jieting led to Zhao Yun and Deng Zhi's defeat at Jigu Valley. Zhuge Liang took responsibility for poor command, voluntarily petitioned for a three-rank demotion to General of the Right, and urged his subordinates to offer suggestions, believing that by earnestly learning from mistakes, "affairs can be settled and victory can be hoped for."
Zhuge Liang showed no mercy to those who betrayed loyalty or righteousness. Liao Li of Jingzhou was once appreciated by Zhuge Liang, but because he failed to secure a top ministerial position, he harbored resentment and frequently slandered the late Emperor Liu Bei and his colleagues. Zhuge Liang submitted an impeachment memorial to the throne, resulting in Liao Li's exile to Wenshan Commandery (in present-day Sichuan Province).
During the Northern Campaigns, Zhuge Liang advanced toward Mount Qi while Li Yan, the imperial secretary, was tasked with overseeing grain transport. When supplies failed to arrive on time, Li Yan resorted to trickery, urging Zhuge Liang to retreat by falsely claiming logistical crises. After the withdrawal, Li Yan then feigned surprise, stating that provisions were ample and the retreat was unnecessary. Zhuge Liang produced Li Yan's own letters as irrefutable evidence of the deception, impeached him before the throne, and had him stripped of rank and exiled to Zitong Commandery as a commoner.
In 234 AD, Zhuge Liang, worn down by relentless toil, tragically died in his military camp. After his death, he left no personal wealth or property for his descendants.
When Li Yan and Liao Li heard of Zhuge Liang's death, they were overcome with grief. Both had long since reformed their ways, hoping to earn Zhuge Liang's trust and be reinstated. Now, with him gone, no one would ever recall them. In despair, each died in exile, consumed by bitterness.
Zhuge Liang was open and upright throughout his life, never bending the law for personal gain, and treated others with honesty and fairness. Chen Shou, author of *Records of the Three Kingdoms*, praised him for "opening his sincere heart and spreading public justice," commending his candid and genuine character.
Later, people used the idiom "open sincerity and fairness" to mean treating each other with honesty and selflessness.
Source: *Records of the Three Kingdoms*, "Biography of Zhuge Liang"
Meaning of the Idiom: Later, the Chinese idiom "开诚布公" came to describe how treating each other with honesty and selflessness.