During the turbulent Three Kingdoms period, Zhuge Liang, the Prime Minister of Shu Han, led his army out of Qishan to attack the state of Wei. The Wei commander Sima Yi confronted Zhuge Liang at Weinan.

Knowing that Zhuge Liang had traveled a long distance and favored a quick battle, Sima Yi adopted a strategy of prolonged stalemate. The Shu army challenged and insulted him repeatedly, but Sima Yi refused to engage. Zhuge Liang understood that a prolonged stalemate would be extremely disadvantageous for the Shu army, so he launched a strong assault. However, the Northern Wei army had deep trenches and high fortifications, making victory difficult. Yet, Zhuge Liang was unwilling to retreat.

Thus, he devised a clever plan: he sent messengers grandly to the Wei camp to deliver a 'generous gift' to Sima Yi—a large quantity of women's headwear and ornaments (hairpins, bracelets, and cosmetics), along with a letter.

The letter stated that Sima Yi was too timid; as a great hero commanding so many troops, he dared not come out to fight. It suggested that if he led his troops to battle, he would be a true man and a great hero; but if he dared not, he should just wrap his head with women's headscarves and apply makeup! This was meant to mock him, implying that his so-called heroism was merely that of an ordinary woman. This was a psychological tactic to provoke him.

Although Sima Yi was greatly angered, he still did not fall for the trick.