The story of “quenching thirst by looking for plums,” mentioned by Cao Cao in Chapter 21 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, is a classic example of psychological mastery in the novel. It illustrates how a leader can use mental stimulation to overcome physical limitations during crises.
Quenching thirst with illusory plums
Cao Cao said, “Just now, I saw the green plums on the branch and suddenly recalled the expedition against Zhang Xiu last year. On the march, we ran out of water, and the soldiers were all thirsty. I came up with a plan, pointing ahead with my whip and saying, ‘There is a plum grove ahead.’ Upon hearing this, the soldiers produced saliva in their mouths and thus no longer felt thirsty. Now that I see these plums, we must appreciate them.”— Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 21
Historical context of the incident
This story took place during Cao Cao’s campaign against Zhang Xiu, around the time of the Battle of Wancheng in 197 AD. Cao Cao led his troops to attack Zhang Xiu, who was entrenched in Wancheng. At noon, the scorching sun beat down, and the weather was extremely hot. The soldiers, carrying heavy weapons, were drenched in sweat, suffering from heat and thirst, which severely hampered their march.
Seeing his men licking their parched lips and struggling to advance, Cao Cao grew anxious. He ordered the troops to rest and sent scouts in all directions to find water. After a while, they all returned empty-handed. It turned out that the area was a desolate plain with no rivers or springs, making water impossible to locate. Cao Cao then commanded the soldiers to dig wells on the spot. They toiled away, sweating profusely, but after a long time, not a drop of water was found.
Cao Cao realized the seriousness of the situation: if they lingered, more soldiers would collapse. After a moment’s thought, he suddenly pointed his whip toward a slope ahead and loudly declared to his troops,
“I know this place well. Beyond that slope, there is a large, lush plum grove. Once we get there, each of you can eat your fill of plums to your heart’s content.”
Upon hearing this, the soldiers naturally imagined the sour taste of the plums, which made them salivate and instantly feel less thirsty. Cao Cao immediately directed the troops to march forward. After some time, they successfully found a water source, where everyone drank heartily and continued their journey with renewed vigor.
The power of mental stimulation
Cao Cao’s “quenching thirst by looking for plums” demonstrates that excellent leaders, when faced with limited resources, should not focus solely on material supplies but also prioritize psychological motivation—material resources may be finite, but mental strength can unlock human potential. Cao Cao’s brilliance lay in not being constrained by the reality of water scarcity; instead, he transcended the material realm and resolved the crisis through psychological tactics.
For instance, in the later Battle of Shouchun against Yuan Shu, when provisions were running low, Cao Cao did not passively wait for supplies. Instead, he executed the official in charge of grain, Wang Hou, to shift responsibility and boost morale, while telling the soldiers that their only chance of survival was to capture Shouchun quickly. Through these actions, Cao Cao’s army’s morale surged, and they soon took the city. This example shares the same logical thread as “quenching thirst by looking for plums.”
The role of hope in adversity
In desperate situations, the anticipation of a better future often sustains people more than immediate material satisfaction. Cao Cao capitalized on this human trait—whether viewed as a weakness or a strength—to lead his troops through hardships. This insight teaches us that, whether for individuals facing difficulties or teams dealing with crises, “preserving hope” is key to overcoming dire circumstances.
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