To be at a loss to know what someone is talking about; to talk gibberish or utter unintelligible remarks.
Era:
Ancient
Frequency:
Story:
In 225 AD, Zhuge Liang personally led a large army to conquer Meng Huo in the south. He captured and released Meng Huo seven times, finally winning his sincere allegiance to the Shu Han kingdom.
With the south pacified and no more worries from the rear, Zhuge Liang decided to launch an expedition against the state of Wei. Before his departure, he wrote a memorial to Liu Shan, the emperor, known as the 'Chu Shi Biao' (Memorial on Sending Forth the Army).
In it, he pointed out the historical lesson of the Eastern Han Dynasty's decline due to favoritism within the ruling class, advising Liu Shan to 'befriend virtuous ministers and keep away from petty individuals,' enforce strict rewards and punishments, and humbly accept remonstrances. Towards the end, Zhuge Liang wrote: 'Now that I am about to depart far away, I weep as I write this memorial, not knowing what I am saying.' This expressed his earnest and deeply moved feelings.
After everything was arranged, Zhuge Liang personally led his mighty army towards the Hanzhong front. Emperor Liu Shan, along with his officials, escorted them ten li outside the city of Chengdu.