望梅止渴
wàng méi zhǐ kě
“expect plum stop thirst”
This saying is based on a trick that famous historical figure 曹操 Cáo Cāo (/ Ts’ao Ts’ao, 155–220A.D.) used for getting his soldiers to carry on marching.
Cao Cao’s army, on their way to the battleground, had run out of water and were flagging.
To keep them going, Cao Cao told them that ahead was a grove of plum trees. Thinking about the plums, the men started to salivate, which quenched their thirst.
NB: This is also logged under Clever ancient Chinese tricks: 01 (望梅止渴)
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