This story comes from Neichushuo Upper Scroll in the legal classic, Hanfeizi. Duke Xuan of Qi recruits an ensemble of 300 musicians all playing the instrument called yu. Mr. Nanguo is no musician, but he makes a decent living pretending to play. The story describes someone who doesn’t have real talent but tries to get by as an expert. It is also used when someone puts something of low quality among the good.