During the Spring and Autumn period, a man from Qin named Qizi, who was stationed in the State of Zheng, gained control of the keys to the capital city's north gate. He sent a messenger to urge Duke Mu of Qin to attack Zheng.

Duke Mu of Qin, however, ignored the advice of Jian Shu and dispatched General Meng Mingshi and others to lead an expeditionary force.

Xuan Gao, a merchant from Zheng, discovered the Qin army's intentions. He cleverly pretended to offer gifts to welcome the Qin troops, while secretly sending intelligence to his own state.

Seizing this opportunity, the State of Jin sent out its army and defeated the Qin forces.

Afterwards, Duke Mu of Qin admitted that the failure was entirely his own fault.