Choubi Post Station
English translation and interpretation are being reviewed.
风云常为护储胥。
徒令上将挥神笔，
终见降王走传车。
管乐有才真不忝，
关张无命欲何如？
他年锦里经祠庙，
梁父吟成恨有余。
English translation
Even fish and birds still seem to dread his written orders, wind and cloud ever guard his palisade.
In vain they let the great general wield his godlike brush, in the end a surrendered king rode away in the post-carriage.
Guan Zhong and Yue Yi had talent, truly not unworthy, but Guan Yu and Zhang Fei lacked the years, what could be done?
In other years, passing the shrine at Jinli, I finished chanting the Liangfu Song, and sorrow remained.
Meaning
Even now the very fish and birds stand in awe of the Prime Minister's stern commands; wind and cloud forever guard the fences and palisades of his camp.
Zhuge Liang schemed and planned here with his brush in vain, for in the end the Later Lord Liu Shan rode a post-chariot to surrender.
Kong Ming truly deserved comparison with Guan Zhong and Yue Yi in ability; with Guan Yu and Zhang Fei dead, how could he alone turn back the flood?
In years past, when I passed the Temple of the Marquis of Wu at Jincheng, I chanted the Liangfu Song to voice my deep regret for him!
Background
Read the background
In 855, the ninth year of the Dazhong era of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, the poet, having concluded his service in the Zizhou administration, was returning to Chang'an in the company of Liu Zhongying and passed through Choubi Post Station. Mourning the past and grieving over the present, he wrote this poem in memory of Zhuge Liang.