During the Three Kingdoms period, there was a man named Lu Yu in the state of Wei. He was the youngest son of Lu Zhi, a renowned Confucian scholar of the Eastern Han Dynasty. From an early age, Lu Yu was diligent in his studies and earned widespread recognition for both his character and his scholarly achievements. After entering official service, Lu Yu upheld integrity and impartiality in his governance, earning the deep trust of Emperor Ming of Wei, Cao Rui. At that time, the selection of officials largely relied on recommendations from others, but recommenders often favored individuals who were well-known—though these so‑called “celebrities” were typically adept at engaging in lofty, abstract discussions rather than focusing on practical matters. They tended to heap praise upon one another, leading Emperor Ming of Wei to grow increasingly dissatisfied with this practice. To address this issue, when selecting Middle Secretaries, Emperor Ming of Wei specifically tasked Lu Yu with the responsibility of making recommendations—and he made it clear: “When choosing talent, do not rely solely on reputation. Reputation is like drawing a pie on the ground—it’s something you can’t actually eat.” From that point forward, the idiom “drawing a pie to satisfy hunger” came into common use, vividly illustrating the futility of having only empty fame without real substance, or of trying to console oneself with wishful thinking.