穿凿附会 force a connection
Explanation
穿凿附会是指把不相干的事情硬扯在一起解释，或把讲不通的道理硬要讲通。
To forcibly connect unrelated things or to interpret something in a way that doesn't make sense. It's used to describe someone who makes up explanations or interpretations that are far-fetched or illogical.
Origin Story
话说唐朝时期，有个书生名叫李明，才华横溢却屡试不第。一次，他去拜访一位老秀才，想请教科举考试的秘诀。老秀才见李明满腹经纶却郁郁不得志，便出了个题目让他作诗。李明绞尽脑汁，写出了一首诗，但其中几句诗意境牵强，与主题略显脱节。老秀才看完后，摇摇头说：“你此诗，虽有文采，却穿凿附会，过于牵强，难以打动考官。科举考试，重在立意清晰，文理通顺，切勿为了追求奇特而牺牲了诗歌的整体性。
During the Tang Dynasty, a scholar named Li Ming, talented but repeatedly failed the imperial examinations. Once, he visited an old scholar, hoping to learn the secrets of the exams. The old scholar saw Li Ming's talent but lack of success, so he gave him a topic to write a poem on. Li Ming racked his brains and wrote a poem, but a few lines seemed forced and disconnected from the main theme. After reading it, the old scholar shook his head, saying, "Your poem, while showing talent, forces connections and is too weak to impress the examiners. The imperial examinations value clear intentions and coherence. Don't sacrifice the poem's overall integrity for the sake of novelty."
Usage
常用来批评那些歪曲事实，强词夺理的人。
Often used to criticize those who distort facts and use specious reasoning.
Examples
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他总是穿凿附会，歪曲事实。
tā zǒngshì chuān záo fù huì, wāiqū shìshí
He always distorts the facts and makes up connections that don't exist.
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不要穿凿附会，捕风捉影。
bùyào chuān záo fù huì, bǔfēng zhuō yǐng
Don't make up stories and speculate wildly!