Máo Suì recommends himself
To recommend oneself for an important position; to actively take upon an important responsibility
Positive
王丹毛遂自荐，担当起了帮助残疾同学的重任 | Wáng Dān máosuìzìjiàn, dāndāng qǐ le bāngzhù cánjí tóngxué de zhòngrèn
Wang Dan took it upon himself to take care for his crippled classmates
[Source]
他毛遂自荐来完成这个行动计划 | Tā máosuìzìjiàn lái wánchéng zhè ge xíngdòng jìhuà
He took the initiative and personally completed the plan of action
[Source]
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《史记》(Shǐ Jì), or the famous work "Records of the Grand Historian" by 司马迁 (Sī Mǎ Qiān).
During the Warring States Period (战国时期 | zhàn guó shí qī | 475 - 221 BC), the kingdom of Qín (秦国, Qín Guó) attacked the kingdom of Zhào (赵国, Zhào Guó). Zhào knew that it would be unable to withstand the onslaught by itself, and it was decided that the lord 平原 (Píng Yuán) would travel with twenty men to the kingdom of Chǔ (楚国, Chǔ Guó) to ask for military assistance. 平原 was able to find nineteen men skilled in martial arts and literature to accompany him, but searched as he did, he was unable to find a twentieth man.
It was at that point that 毛遂 (Máo Suì) found 平原 and offered his services. "I heard that you're going to 楚国 to form an alliance," he said, "but that you're short a man. I hope that you will take me on as your twentieth man and that we can head out immediately!"
平原 asked, "How long have you been serving here?"
"Three years," replied 毛遂.
The lord frowned and said, "There are capable men all over the world. These men are like awls placed in a cloth sack: their sharp tips immediately penetrate the fabric and become visible. But you have been here for three years, and yet I've never heard of you once. This must be because you lack talent. I will not have you come with me."
毛遂 countered, "But it wasn't until today that I was placed into a cloth bag for the first time. If I had been placed in one earlier, the entire head of the awl would have pierced the fabric, not just the sharp tip."
That argument was enough for 平原, and he welcomed 毛遂 into his group. Though the other nineteen men opposed 毛遂's presence, they said nothing, and soon enough the men all set out towards Chǔ.
When they finally arrived at their destination, the king of Chǔ would only speak with 平原. Though their discussion lasted many hours, no progress was made. Finally, 毛遂 approached the king without permission. The king, impressed by this act of courage, did not punish him, and instead listened to what he had to say. 毛遂 expertly explained how helping his country would in turn benefit 楚国, and it wasn't long before the king was convinced and agreed to provide help. Not a few days later, Chǔ forces attacked the Qín, who were forced to fall back.
For his help, 毛遂 was handsomely rewarded when they returned to Zhào.