







义无反顾 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to advance courageously without hesitation, driven by a strong sense of duty or justice; to proceed with unswerving determination”. Literally, “Righteousness without looking back”.
During the Western Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu dispatched Minister Tang Meng to construct the 'Southwest Yi Road'. Tang Meng conscripted a large number of laborers and even killed a tribal chief, which incited unrest.
Emperor Wu then sent Sima Xiangru to resolve the situation. Sima Xiangru penned an official proclamation titled 'Edict to Bashu' (谕巴蜀檄). In this document, he urged the people of Bashu to act with 'righteousness without looking back and decisions without hesitation' (义不反顾,计不旋踵). Through skillful communication and diplomacy, the conflicts were successfully diffused.