A man from the state chu was crossing the river. in the boat, his sword fell into the water by his carelessness. imediately he made a mark on the boat.“this is where my sword fell off.”he said. when the boat stopped, he jumped into the water to look for his sword at the place where he marked the boat. the boat had moved but the sword had not. is this not a foolish way to look for a sword?

Lu Ban (lǔ bān 鲁班) was supposed to be a consummate carpenter in ancient times. It is said that he once carved a wooden phoenix that was so lifelike that it actually flew in the sky for three days. Thus it was considered the height of folly to show off one's skill with an axe in front of Lu Ban.

Ingredients：
1 lb lean beef steak, sliced 2-inches long x 1/4-inch thick
3 tablespoons peanut oil
8 ounces onions, sliced (1 cup)
2 tablespoons garlic, coarsely chopped
1/2 tablespoons spring onions, finely chopped

Marinade:
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon shaoxing rice wine or dry sherry
2 teaspoons cornstarch

Ingredients:                                           800-1000 g Fish fillets (preferably river or lake fish)

Condiments:
250-300 g Cooking oil                                  3 tbsp Hot bean sauce                              1 chunk Ginger root,sliced                            8 clove Garlic, sliced                                     3 stalk Scallion                                             2 handful Sichuan peppercorns                      1 rice bowl Sichuan dried chilli                    2/3 tbsp Chilli flakes                                        2 tbsp Jiafan rice wine 
 2/3 tbsp Light soya sauce
 700-800 ml Stock      1/3 tsp Pepper powder
 ½ tsp Salt                1 tsp Sugar 
 Chicken powder to taste

In the Warring States Period (zhàn guó 战国), the State of Qin besieged the capital of the State of Zhao. Duke Pingyuan of Zhao planned to ask the ruler of the State of Chu personally for assistance. He wanted to select a capable man to go with him. A man called Mao Sui (máo suì 毛遂) volunteered. When the negoti-actions between the two states were stalled because the ruler of Chu hesitated to send troops, Mao Sui approached him, brandishing a sword. At that, the ruler of Chu agreed to help Zhao, against Qin. This idiom means to recommend oneself.