From the Greatest Job Application Letter in World History, Some Laughable Traits in the Character of the "Stinking Number Nine" Intellectuals.

First, look at this five-character regulated verse:

Gazing at Dongting Lake, Presented to Chancellor Zhang
Meng Haoran

In the eighth month, the lake waters level; merging void blends with the great clarity.
Mist steams over the Yunmeng marshes; waves shake the city of Yueyang.
Wishing to cross, I lack boat or oars; idling at home, I am shamed before the sagely age.
Sitting and watching the anglers cast their lines; in vain do I harbor the desire for fish.

This is absolutely the greatest job application letter in world history. However, from the standpoint of job applications, it was ultimately written in vain -- Meng Haoran ended up spending his whole life in obscurity. But from this letter, we can roughly see some laughable traits in the character of Chinese intellectuals.

First, you must build yourself up: "In the eighth month, the lake waters level; merging void blends with the great clarity. Mist steams over the Yunmeng marshes; waves shake the city of Yueyang." In plain terms, this is saying you're impressive -- only then will someone want you. Second, you must flatter the higher-ups: "Wishing to cross, I lack boat or oars; idling at home, I am shamed before the sagely age." Intellectuals may be skillful at flattery, but skillful flattery is still flattery. Finally: "Sitting and watching the anglers cast their lines; in vain do I harbor the desire for fish." Just say what you want directly -- but they care too much about face. If you want to be an official, just be an official. What's the big deal? But face is bigger than the position -- this is what China calls the "shi" (scholar-official).

From the above, you can roughly know all the tricks of all Chinese intellectuals. In plain terms, they can't even match a singing girl half-hiding behind her pipa. That's about their level.