望梅止渴 (wang4 mei2 zhi3 ke2) The power of illusions

WHEN Chinese say that someone is trying to satisfy his or her desires by illusion, they frequently use the phrase "wang4 mei2 zhi3 ke2" The literal meaning is to quench one's thirst by looking at imaginary fresh plums.

There is a story to this idiom.

Cao Cao was a famous Chinese military strategist and politician in the late Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220 AD). One hot summer day, Cao led a large army on a rapid march to launch a surprise attack on the enemy's rear.

However, the scorching summer heat and the heavy armor the troops were wearing soon drained the soldiers of energy.

Thirsty and exhausted, the troops were moving at a snail's pace. It appeared impossible that the army would reach its destination on time.

Meanwhile, scouts came back and reported to Cao that they could not find any drinking water nearby. The strategist, however, would not be deterred.

He raced to the top of a nearby hill and pretended to look carefully in the direction of his destination.

Then, he shouted to his soldiers: "There are many plum trees in the valley ahead and all the plums are ripe. They are both sour and sweet, so we can eat some fresh plums to quench our thirst. Come on, men."

Hearing Cao's remarks, the soldiers quickened their pace, rushing toward the valley.

But, they were very disappointed when they got to the valley and did not find one plum tree.

Fortunately, the scouts had discovered a streamlet not far away and had brought back some buckets of cool water.

The army consequently reached its destination on time and launched a successful offensive against the enemy.

With the ploy having been retold for generations, people today tend to use the phrase when they describe someone using an illusion to cheer up oneself or others.