This Podcast presents a dialogue between King Wen and Jiang Taigong, exploring the challenges of promoting virtuous individuals in government. Jiang Taigong argues that superficial judgments based on popularity, rather than genuine merit, lead to the advancement of the wicked and the downfall of the virtuous. He emphasizes the importance of a rigorous selection process that matches individuals' abilities with their responsibilities and titles. The core issue is the distinction between the appearance of virtue and its true practice. The discussion highlights the dangers of prioritizing popularity over genuine merit in leadership selection. Ultimately, the text offers guidance on how to effectively identify and promote truly virtuous individuals within a governing structure.