The news was soon reported to Shu。 Zhuge Liang rejoiced when they told him of the success that had attended the ruse。
〃Sima Yi and the forces he manded in Yongzhou and Liangzhou have been the obstacles in my long…wished…for attack on Wei。 Now he has fallen； I have no more anxiety。〃
At the first great assembly of officers at court； Zhuge Liang stepped forth and presented to the Ruler of Shu a memorial on the expedition he contemplated。
〃The First Ruler had acplished but half his great task at his death。 At this moment the empire is in three parts； and our country is weak； it is a most critical moment for us。 Still； ministers are not remiss in the capital； and loyal and devoted soldiers sacrifice their lives abroad； for they still remember the special kindness of the First Ruler and wish to show their gratitude to him by service to Your Majesty。 Therefore it would be indeed fitting that you should extend your holy virtue to glorify his virtuous memory in the stimulation of the will of your purposeful officers。 Your Majesty should not lose yourself in the pursuit of mean things； quoting phrases to confound the eternal principles of rectitude； and so preventing remonstrance from honest people。 One rule applies to the palace of the Emperor and the residence of a courtier； there must be one law rewarding the good and punishing the evil。 Evil…doers and law…breakers； as also true and good people； should be dealt with according to their deserts by the officers concerned in order to manifest Your Majesty's impartial and enlightened administration。 Partiality is wrong； as is one law for the court and another for the regions。
〃The High Ministers Fei Yi； Guo Youzhi； and Dong Yun are honest men； devotedly anxious to be loyal to the last degree； wherefo