To console oneself or others with imaginary things or empty hopes when the desired reality is unattainable; to draw comfort from an illusion or a distant prospect.
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Ancient
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Story:
One summer, Cao Cao led his troops to attack Zhang Xiu. The weather was unusually hot, the scorching sun was blazing, and there wasn't a single cloud in the sky. The troops marched along winding mountain paths, with dense trees and sun-baked rocks on both sides making it suffocating. By noon, the soldiers' clothes were soaked, and their marching speed slowed down. A few weaker soldiers even fainted by the roadside.
Cao Cao noticed the slowing pace and worried about missing a good opportunity. He was very anxious. However, with tens of thousands of men unable to even get water, how could he speed up? He immediately called for a guide and quietly asked, "Is there any water source nearby?" The guide shook his head and said, "The spring is on the other side of the valley, and it's a long detour to get there." Cao Cao thought for a moment and said, "No, there's not enough time." He looked at the forest ahead, pondered for a while, and told the guide, "Don't say anything, I'll figure something out."
He knew that even ordering the troops to speed up now would be futile. A thought flashed into his mind, and a plan emerged. He spurred his horse forward, quickly reaching the front of the column. Pointing ahead with his whip, he declared, "Soldiers, I know there's a large plum grove ahead. The plums there are big and delicious! Let's hurry, once we pass this hill, we'll reach the plum grove!" Upon hearing this, the soldiers felt as if they had already tasted the plums. Their spirits lifted greatly, and their pace quickened significantly.
This story comes from "Shishuo Xinyu: Jiajue" (A New Account of Tales of the World: Stratagems). The idiom "望梅止渴" (wàng méi zhǐ kě) means to console oneself or others with empty hopes or illusions.