三年之艾sān nián zhī àithree-year-old mugwort—sth. kept in store for the cure of a sickness
❍ 今之欲王者，扰七年之病，求～也，苟为不畜，终身不得。(《孟子·离娄上》) The case of one of the present princes wishing to become emperor,is like having to seek three-year-old mugwort,to cure a seven years’ sickness. If it had not been kept in store,the patient may not get it at all. 三年之艾sān nián zhī ài艾：艾蒿，一种多年生草本植物。已储存了三年的陈艾。比喻事先早已作好准备。make preparations for everything, keep in store for the cure of a sickness |