粉饰太平 whitewash peace
Explanation
粉饰太平是指掩盖或修饰不好的事情，使表面看起来很太平，实际上是虚假的。
To whitewash peace means to cover up or embellish bad things to make it seem peaceful on the surface, which is actually false.
Origin Story
在一个繁华的王朝，皇帝沉溺于享乐，对百姓疾苦视而不见。奸臣们为了维护自己的权势，极力粉饰太平，大肆宣扬国泰民安，营造出一片欣欣向荣的假象。然而，在看似平静的表象下，隐藏着民不聊生的残酷现实：赋税沉重，官吏贪腐，百姓流离失所，怨声载道。一位正直的官员看不下去，上书皇帝，揭露了朝廷的腐败和百姓的苦难，最终导致了王朝的覆灭。
In a prosperous dynasty, the emperor was addicted to pleasure and ignored the suffering of the people. In order to maintain their power, the treacherous ministers tried their best to whitewash the peace, extravagantly proclaiming national peace and stability, and creating a false image of prosperity. However, under the seemingly calm appearance, there was a cruel reality of people’s suffering: heavy taxes, corrupt officials, displaced people, and widespread complaints. A righteous official couldn’t stand it any longer and wrote to the emperor, exposing the corruption of the court and the suffering of the people, which eventually led to the downfall of the dynasty.
Usage
常用来形容掩盖或美化不好的现象，故作太平景象。
Often used to describe the act of covering up or beautifying negative phenomena to create a false sense of peace and order.
Examples
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某些官员为了保住自己的位置，粉饰太平，隐瞒了真实情况。
mǒuxiē guān yuán wèile bǎo zhù zìjǐ de wèizhì, fěn shì tài píng, yǐnmán le zhēnshí qíngkuàng.
Some officials concealed the truth to protect their positions and maintain the appearance of peace.
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这场盛大的庆祝活动，实际上是粉饰太平，掩盖了社会深层的问题。
zhè chǎng shèng dà de qìngzhù huódòng, shíjì shang shì fěn shì tài píng, yǎngài le shèhuì shēncén de wèntí.
This grand celebration was actually a façade to mask deep-seated social problems.