用英语讲好中国故事：画饼充饥
In the period of the Three Kingdoms in China, there was a minister in the State of Wei named Lu Yu. He was honest and upright in his official position and was soon promoted to Shi Zhong, serving beside the emperor. （在三国时期的魏国，有一位大臣名叫卢毓。他为官清正廉洁，不久便被提升为侍中，得以在皇帝左右侍奉。）
Three years later, he was promoted to Zhong Shu Lang, responsible for managing important affairs such as policies and confidential matters. Later, he was appointed as the Minister of Personnel, taking charge of many affairs such as the promotion, dismissal and transfer of officials throughout the country. （三年之后，他又升任为中书郎，负责掌管政令、机要等重要事务。而后，他再次被任命为吏部尚书，肩负起全国官吏的升降、任免以及调动等诸多事务。）
Once, Emperor Wen of Wei asked Lu Yu to select a person to serve as Zhong Shu Lang and said to him, "This time when choosing Zhong Shu Lang, whether you can select the most satisfactory candidate depends entirely on your discernment. During the selection process, those who have only fame but no real talent and learning must not be chosen. Fame is like a pancake drawn on the ground and cannot relieve hunger." （有一次，魏文帝要求卢毓选拔一人担任中书郎，并对他说道：“此次挑选中书郎，能否选到最为中意的人选，全然取决于你的眼力了。在选拔之时，那些徒有虚名却无真才实学之人千万不可选用。名气就如同在地上所画的饼，是无法解除饥饿的。）
However, Lu Yu did not agree with Emperor Wen's opinion. He replied, "Your Majesty, your words are very reasonable. To select truly talented people, we cannot only focus on fame. But in my opinion, fame can also reflect a person's actual situation to a certain extent. Selecting talents based on fame is usually feasible. Some people not only have fame but also have high cultivation and good virtue. Such people should be considered. （然而，卢毓并不赞同文帝的意见，他回应道：“陛下您的话甚是在理。选拔真正的人才，确实不能仅仅看重名气。不过，依臣之见，名气在一定程度上也能够反映一个人的实际状况。依据名气来选拔人才，通常来说还是可行的。有些人不但有名望，而且修养高深、德行良好，对于这样的人应当予以考虑。）
So, I suggest that Your Majesty should specifically assess their situations and not dislike or reject them just because they are famous." Emperor Wen of Wei thought Lu Yu's words made sense, so he adopted his suggestion and ordered the formulation of an assessment law for officials. （所以，臣建议陛下应当对他们的具体情况加以考核，不能一听到其有名望就厌恶他、排斥他。”魏文帝认为卢毓的话颇有道理，于是采纳了他的建议，下令制定官员考核之法。 ）