One summer, Cao Cao led the troops to attack Zhang Xiu. The weather was hot and there were no clouds in the sky. It was a long march through the mountains. In the blazing heat of the sun, there was no trace of water. The soldiers were breathless. By noon, the soldiers’ clothes were soaked with sweat and the speed of the soldiers slowed down. Some of the soldiers fainted and collapsed.
Cao Cao saw the marching speed slower and was worried that his attack plan would be delayed. The morale of the soldiers was down. But without even a drop of water, how would thousands of soldiers and horses speed up? He immediately called the guide and quietly asked him, “Is there water in the vicinity?” The guide shook his head and said, “The spring is on the other side of the valley, and it is a long road to reach there.”
