用英语讲中国故事——Recommend Oneself 毛遂自荐
毛遂自荐
Recommend Oneself
指毛遂勇于自我推荐，抓住机遇，跟随平原君前往楚国游说。后比喻勇于展现自我或自己推荐自己担负重任做事情。
It means that Mao Sui was brave enough to recommend himself, seize the opportunity, and follow Pingyuan Jun to the State of Chu to lobby. Later, it was used as a metaphor for being brave enough to show oneself or recommend oneself to take on important tasks.
战国时，秦军攻打赵国，围困了赵国的都城邯郸，情况十分危急。
During the Warring States Period, the Qin army attacked the State of Zhao and besieged the capital of Zhao, Handan, and the situation was very critical.
赵国的平原君赵胜，决定选出二十名文武双全的人前往楚国求援。
Zhao Sheng, the Pingyuan Jun of Zhao, decided to select 20 people who were both civil and military to go to the State of Chu for help.
他召集了所有的门客，但选来选去，只凑够了十九个人。
He summoned all his retainers, but after selecting and choosing, he only got 19 people.
这时，有一门客站了出来，自告奋勇地说：“公子，我是毛遂，我愿意随公子一起前往楚国！”
At this time, a retainer stood up and volunteered, "Sir, I am Mao Sui. I am willing to go to Chu with you!"
平原君不认识他，疑惑地问：“先生在我门下几年了？”
Pingyuan Jun did not know him and asked in confusion, "How many years have you been my disciple?"
毛遂回答：“三年了。”
Mao Sui replied, "Three years."
平原君道：“三年了？先生若是有才华，就好比锥子装在口袋里，能立即扎出头来。而我从未听说您有什么过人的表现，此次关系重大，您还是留下吧。”
Pingyuan Jun said, "Three years? If you have talent, it's like an awl in your pocket, which can immediately stick out. But I have never heard of your outstanding performance. This is a matter of great importance, so you should stay."
毛遂自信地说：“主公，从前我没有机会。如果这次您把我放在口袋里，整个锥子早就扎出来了，不只是露出一点锋芒。”
Mao Sui said confidently, "Sir, I didn't have a chance before. If you put me in your pocket this time, the whole awl would have stuck out long ago, not just a little bit of the edge."
平原君见毛遂如此自信，便同意带他同行。
Pingyuan Jun saw Mao Sui so confident, so he agreed to take him with him.
到了楚国，毛遂和其他人一交流，大家都对他的口才和见识惊叹不已。
When he arrived in Chu, Mao Sui talked with others, and everyone was amazed at his eloquence and knowledge.
这天，楚王只见了平原君，两人从早上谈到中午，仍没有结果。
That day, the King of Chu only met Pingyuan Jun. The two talked from morning to noon, but still had no results.
毛遂大步走上前，大声说道：“出兵的事，非利即害，非害即利，两句话就能说清楚。怎么这么久还没定下来？”
Mao Sui strode forward and said loudly: "Sending troops is either beneficial or harmful, and either harmful or beneficial. It can be explained in two sentences. Why hasn't it been decided for so long?"
楚王不悦地问平原君：“这人是谁？”
The King of Chu asked Pingyuan Jun unhappily: "Who is this man?"
平原君说：“此人名叫毛遂，是我的门客。”
Pingyuan Jun said: "This man is called Mao Sui, and he is my retainer."
楚王怒道：“还不退下！我在与你主人谈话，你来干什么？”
The King of Chu said angrily: "Stay away! I am talking to your master, what are you doing here?"
毛遂看到楚王发怒，不仅没有退下，反而又大步走上前。
Seeing that the King of Chu was angry, Mao Sui not only did not retreat, but strode forward again.
然后手按利剑说道：“如今十步之内，大王的命在我手里，人再多也没用！”
Then he put his hand on the sword and said: "Now within ten steps, the king's life is in my hands, no matter how many people there are, it will be useless!"
楚王见毛遂这么勇敢，没再呵斥他。
The King of Chu saw that Mao Sui was so brave, so he stopped scolding him.
毛遂趁此机会，为楚王分析了出兵救赵有利于楚国。
Mao Sui took this opportunity to analyze for the King of Chu that sending troops to rescue Zhao would benefit Chu.
毛遂的一番话，让楚王心服口服，答应马上出兵。
Mao Sui's words convinced the King of Chu and he agreed to send troops immediately.
很快，楚王派兵联合魏国，成功解了邯郸之围。
Soon, the King of Chu sent troops to unite with Wei and successfully lifted the siege of Handan.
而毛遂也成了平原君的座上之宾。
And Mao Sui also became a guest of Pingyuan Jun.
这个故事告诉我们：真正有才华的人，不怕展示自己的能力。关键时刻，要勇敢站出来，用智慧和勇气解决问题。
This story tells us that truly talented people are not afraid to show their abilities. At critical moments, they must stand up bravely and solve problems with wisdom and courage.