To fall for a counter-espionage scheme; to be tricked into causing harm to one's own side by believing false information planted by an opponent. It signifies being manipulated to act against one's own interests.
Era:
Modern
Frequency:
Story:
During the Three Kingdoms period, Jiang Gan was dispatched by Cao Cao to persuade Zhou Yu to surrender. Zhou Yu, well aware of his old classmate's mission, secretly laid a trap.
At the banquet, political discussions were off-limits; they merely reminisced and drank wine. Zhou Yu arranged for them to share a bed that night. He deliberately allowed Jiang Gan to "steal" a fabricated letter from Cai Mao and Zhang Yun, which falsely suggested their intent to surrender.
Jiang Gan took the letter back to Cao Cao, who, convinced of its authenticity, ordered the execution of his two formidable rivals, Cai Mao and Zhang Yun. This marked the successful execution of Zhou Yu's brilliant stratagem.