《出师表》创作于三国时期诸葛亮北伐中原之前。其具体历史背景如下：
三国鼎立与蜀汉危机：建安十二年（公元 207 年）刘备三顾茅庐，诸葛亮出山辅佐，以完成统一大业为己任。赤壁之战后，刘备占据荆州，后又取得益州，形成魏蜀吴三国鼎立局面。但建安二十四年（公元 219 年），孙权攻杀关羽，占领荆州，蜀汉实力受损。
刘备托孤与诸葛亮辅政：汉章武元年（公元 221 年），刘备称帝，诸葛亮任丞相。次年刘备伐吴，彝陵之战失败后，刘备于建兴元年（公元 223 年）病死，将后主刘禅托付给诸葛亮。诸葛亮此后推行一系列举措，对外结交东吴，巩固联盟，对内修明政治，加强军备，平定叛乱，使蜀汉国力有所恢复。
北伐契机与忧心后主：建兴五年（公元 227 年），诸葛亮认为北伐时机成熟，一方面南方叛乱已平息，后方稳定，且魏国君主曹丕去世，国内局势有变动，是蜀汉进击中原的良机。另一方面，后主刘禅庸愚懦弱，近佞远贤，诸葛亮担心其难以守住基业，为了开导刘禅，布置朝政，表明心意，激励众志，于是在出师北伐前，上书后主刘禅，写下了这篇《出师表》。
"Memorial on Sending Out the Troops" was written by Zhuge Liang before his northern expedition to the Central Plains during the Three - Kingdoms period. The specific historical background is as follows:
The Tripartite Confrontation of the Three Kingdoms and the Crisis of Shu - Han: In 207 AD, Liu Bei visited Zhuge Liang's thatched cottage three times, and Zhuge Liang came out to assist him, regarding the completion of the great cause of unification as his own responsibility. After the Battle of Red Cliffs, Liu Bei occupied Jingzhou and then obtained Yizhou, forming a tripartite confrontation among Wei, Shu and Wu. However, in 219 AD, Sun Quan attacked and killed Guan Yu, occupied Jingzhou, and the strength of Shu - Han was damaged.
Liu Bei's Entrusting of His Son and Zhuge Liang's Assistance in Governance: In 221 AD, Liu Bei proclaimed himself emperor, and Zhuge Liang served as the prime minister. The next year, Liu Bei launched a campaign against Wu. After the defeat in the Battle of Yiling, Liu Bei died in 223 AD. He entrusted his son Liu Shan to Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang then carried out a series of measures. Externally, he made friends with the Kingdom of Wu to consolidate the alliance. Internally, he improved governance, strengthened the military, and quelled rebellions, which restored the national strength of Shu - Han to some extent.
The Opportunity for the Northern Expedition and the Concern for the Later Lord: In 227 AD, Zhuge Liang believed that the time was ripe for the northern expedition. On the one hand, the rebellions in the south had been quelled, and the rear was stable. Moreover, Emperor Cao Pi of the Wei Kingdom died, and there were changes in the domestic situation, which was a good opportunity for Shu - Han to attack the Central Plains. On the other hand, the later Lord Liu Shan was mediocre, cowardly and prone to be close to the cunning and distant from the virtuous. Zhuge Liang was worried that he would be difficult to hold the foundation of the country. In order to enlighten Liu Shan, arrange the court affairs, show his heart and inspire the aspirations of the people, Zhuge Liang wrote this "Memorial on Sending Out the Troops" before the northern expedition.
臣亮言：先帝创业未半而中道崩殂，今天下三分，益州疲弊，此诚危急存亡之秋也。然侍卫之臣不懈于内，忠志之士忘身于外者，盖追先帝之殊遇，欲报之于陛下也。诚宜开张圣听，以光先帝遗德，恢弘志士之气，不宜妄自菲薄，引喻失义，以塞忠谏之路也。
Permit me to observe: the late emperor was taken from us before he could finish his life's work, the restoration of the Han. Today, the empire is still divided in three, and our very survival is threatened. Yet still the officials at court and the soldiers throughout the realm remain loyal to you, your majesty. Because they remember the late emperor, all of them, and they wish to repay his kindness in service to you. This is the moment to extend your divine influence, to honor the memory of the late Emperor and strengthen the morale of your officers. It is not the time to listen to bad advice, or close your ears to the suggestions of loyal men.
宫中府中，俱为一体，陟罚臧否，不宜异同。若有作奸犯科及为忠善者，宜付有司论其刑赏，以昭陛下平明之理，不宜偏私，使内外异法也。
The court and the administration should be regarded as one. In rewarding and punishing, in praising and criticizing, there should be no discrimination. For those who have committed crimes or done good deeds, they should be handed over to the relevant departments to determine their punishment or reward, so as to show your majesty's fairness and clarity in governance. There should be no partiality, so as not to make different laws for the court and the administration.
侍中、侍郎郭攸之、费祎、董允等，此皆良实，志虑忠纯，是以先帝简拔以遗陛下。愚以为宫中之事，事无大小，悉以咨之，然后施行，必能裨补阙漏，有所广益。
The attendants and secretaries, Guo Youzhi, Fei Yi, Dong Yun, and others, are all virtuous and honest, with hearts and minds of unwavering loyalty. That is why the late Emperor selected them to serve Your Majesty. I believe that for matters within the palace, regardless of their importance, it is best to consult with them before taking action. This will undoubtedly help to correct any oversights and bring greater benefits.
将军向宠，性行淑均，晓畅军事，试用于昔日，先帝称之曰能，是以众议举宠为督。愚以为营中之事，悉以咨之，必能使行阵和睦，优劣得所。
General Xiang Chong is of good character and even - tempered, and is well - versed in military affairs. He was tried out in the past, and the late Emperor praised him for his ability. Therefore, by common consent, he was recommended as the military governor. I think that for matters in the barracks, if we consult him about all of them, it will surely make the troops harmonious and ensure that both the capable and the less capable are properly placed.
亲贤臣，远小人，此先汉所以兴隆也；亲小人，远贤臣，此后汉所以倾颓也。先帝在时，每与臣论此事，未尝不叹息痛恨于桓、灵也。侍中、尚书、长史、参军，此悉贞良死节之臣，愿陛下亲之信之，则汉室之隆，可计日而待也。
Favoring the virtuous and distancing oneself from the wicked is why the early Han dynasty thrived; favoring the wicked and distancing oneself from the virtuous is why the later Han dynasty declined. Whenever the late Emperor discussed this matter with me, he would inevitably sigh with regret and loathe the Emperors Huan and Ling. The attendants, secretaries, senior advisors, and military advisors are all loyal and steadfast officials who are willing to die for their cause. May Your Majesty favor and trust them, and the glory of the Han dynasty can be expected in due time.
臣本布衣，躬耕于南阳，苟全性命于乱世，不求闻达于诸侯。先帝不以臣卑鄙，猥自枉屈，三顾臣于草庐之中，咨臣以当世之事，由是感激，遂许先帝以驱驰。后值倾覆，受任于败军之际，奉命于危难之间，尔来二十有一年矣。
I began as a common man, farming in my fields in Nanyang, doing what I could to survive in an age of chaos. I never had any interest in making a name for myself as a noble. The late Emperor was not ashamed to visit my cottage and seek my advice. Grateful for his regard, I responded to his appeal and threw myself into his service. Then came a time of crisis, and I received my commission when the army was defeated, and I was given orders in a time of danger. It has been twenty - one years since then.
先帝知臣谨慎，故临崩寄臣以大事也。受命以来，夙夜忧叹，恐托付不效，以伤先帝之明，故五月渡泸，深入不毛。今南方已定，兵甲已足，当奖率三军，北定中原，庶竭驽钝，攘除奸凶，兴复汉室，还于旧都。此臣所以报先帝而忠陛下之职分也。
The late Emperor always appreciated my caution and, in his final days, entrusted me with his cause. Since that moment, I have been tormented day and night by the fear that I might let him down. That is why I crossed the Lu river at the height of summer, and entered the wastelands beyond. Now the south has been subdued, and our forces are fully armed. I should lead our soldiers to conquer the northern heartland and attempt to remove the hateful traitors, restore the house of Han, and return it to the former capital. This is the way I mean to honor my debt to the late Emperor and fulfill my duty to you.
愿陛下托臣以讨贼兴复之效，不效，则治臣之罪，以告先帝之灵。陛下亦宜自谋，以咨诹善道，察纳雅言。深追先帝遗诏，臣不胜受恩感激。今当远离，临表涕零，不知所言。
My only desire is to be permitted to drive out the traitors and restore the Han. If I should let you down, punish my offense and report it to the spirit of the late Emperor. Your Majesty, consider your course of action carefully. Seek out good advice, and never forget the late words of the late Emperor. I depart now on a long expedition, and I will be forever grateful if you heed my advice. Blinded by my own tears, I know not what I write.