One summer, Cao Cao was leading his troops in a punitive expedition a-gainst Zhang Xiu.
一年夏天，曹操率领部队去讨伐张绣。
It was extraordinarily hot.
天气热得出奇，
The burning sun was like a fire,
骄阳似火，
and the sky was cloudless.
一丝云彩也没有。
The soldiers were walking on the winding mountain paths.
部队在弯弯曲曲的山道上行走，
The dense forest and the hot rocks exposed to the sun on both sides of the paths made the soldiers feel suffocated.
两边密密的树木和被阳光晒得滚烫的山石，让人透不过气来。
By noontime the soldiers’ clothes were wet through with sweat, and the marching speed slowed down.
到了中午时分，士兵的衣服都湿透了，行军的速度也慢下来，
Some soldiers of weak physique even fainted on the roadside.
有几个体弱的士兵竟晕倒在路边。
Seeing that the marching speed was slower and slower, Cao Cao was very worried for fearing that he might miss the chance of winning the battle.
曹操看行军的速度越来越慢，担心贻误战机，心里很是着急。
However, tens of thousands of troops didn't even have water to drink，and how could they quicken the speed?
可是，眼下几万人马连水都喝不上，又怎么能加快速度呢？
He immediately called the guide，asking him quietly whether there was a water source nearby.
他立刻叫来向导，悄悄问他这附近可有水源?
The guide shook his head, saying that the spring water was on the other side of the mountain, which was very far to make a detour to reach.
向导摇摇头说:“泉水在山谷的那一边，要绕道过去还有很远的路程。”
Cao Cao thought about it and said, “No, it won’t do, for there is no time”.
曹操想了一下说，“不行，时间来不及。”
Looking at the wood in the front and musing for a while，he said to the guide, “Keep quiet. I'll find a way out.”
他看了看前边的树林，沉思了一会儿，对向导说:“你什么也别说，我来想办法。”
Now it was useless to order the troops to quicken their steps.
他知道此刻即使下命令要求部队加快速度也无济于事。
Cao Cao racked his head and got an idea.
脑筋一转，办法来了，
Spurring the horse to speed to the head of the column, he pointed his horsewhip to the front, saying,
他一夹马肚子，快速赶到队伍前面，用马鞭指着前方说:
"Soldiers, I know there is a big forest of plums ahead.
“士兵们，我知道前面有一大片梅林，
The plums there are both big and delicious.
那里的梅子又大又好吃，
Let's hurry up, and we will reach the forest of plums after bypassing this hill.
我们快点赶路，绕过这个山丘就到梅林了！”
At the news, the soldiers felt as if they were actually eating the plums.
士兵们一听，仿佛已经吃到嘴里，
With the spirit lifted, they quickened the steps a great deal automatically.
精神大振，步伐不由得加快了许多。
。