This story is from the novel Three Kingdoms. Jiang Wei was adept with both pen and sword—a man of intelligence, bravery, and astuteness. Zhuge Liang, desiring to recruit him as an assistant, learned that Jiang Wei was a filial son with his mother living in Jicheng City. He devised a cunning plan.
Zhuge Liang ordered Wei Yan to feign an attack on Jicheng. Upon hearing this, Jiang Wei immediately led troops to rescue his mother. Simultaneously, Zhuge Liang sent the captured general Xiahou Mao to persuade Jiang Wei to surrender. However, while en route, Xiahou Mao heard rumors that Jiang Wei had already defected to the Shu State. He diverted to Tianshuiguan to report this. To solidify the deception, Zhuge Liang had a soldier impersonate Jiang Wei and attack Tianshuiguan at night, convincing its defenders that Jiang Wei's surrender was genuine.
Meanwhile, Jiang Wei struggled to defend Jicheng despite a lack of provisions. Leading a force to seize supplies, he left the city vulnerable. Shu troops capitalized on this and captured Jicheng. With his base lost, Jiang Wei fled to Tianshuiguan, only to be denied entry because its garrison believed he had surrendered to the enemy. Forced into the wilderness, he had traveled less than a few kilometers when Zhuge Liang, arriving in a carriage with his troops, surrounded him. Realizing he was trapped, Jiang Wei surrendered to Zhuge Liang.