During the Spring and Autumn period, the powerful State of Qi, relying on its strength, launched an attack on the weaker State of Lu. Duke Zhuang of Lu led his army to meet the invaders.

When the two armies faced each other, the Qi army began beating their war drums. However, the Lu army, under the strategic guidance of Cao Gui, did not beat their drums immediately.

Duke Zhuang waited until Qi had beaten their drums three times before ordering his soldiers to strike their own drums. When he observed that the enemy's forces were in a state of 'chariot tracks in disarray and banners drooping', he commanded the Lu army to charge bravely, thus securing a decisive victory in the battle.