After the Battle of Red Cliff (208 A.D.), in which Liu Bei and Sun Quan joined in crushing Cao Cao, Cao Cao's army was defeated and retreated to the north. A few years later, Liu Bei once again formed an alliance with Sun Quan of Eastern Wu, preparing to advance north to attack Cao Cao. Cao Cao quickly summoned his advisors to discuss countermeasures.
Strategist Xun You said, "Instead of waiting for Liu Bei and Sun Quan to come to attack us, it's better for us to take the initiative to attack.
Cao Cao frowned and said, "But if King Ma Teng of Xiliang takes advantage of my southward expedition and attacks, wouldn't our rear be in danger?”
Xun You presented another plan, saying, “Your Excellency Mr. Prime Minister, your concerns are very reasonable. If we don't eliminate Ma Teng, it will ultimately be a future threat. It's better to appoint him as the General of Conquering the South, issue a decree to lure him into the capital, and then take action at the opportunity...” Cao Cao followed the plan.
After receiving the imperial edict, Ma Teng hesitated and his nephew Ma Dai strongly advised him not to enter the capital in accordance with the edict. Ma Dai said, "Cao Cao, under the guise of the emperor, issued a decree to you with ulterior motives. You must not go." Ma Chao, the son of Ma Teng, advocated using the tactic. Searching for an opportunity in the capital and killing Cao Cao. After careful consideration, Ma Teng decided to let Ma Chao stay in Xiliang and rush to the capital with 5000 soldiers.
After Ma Teng arrived in Xuchang, the capital, he sent people to secretly contact Huang Kui, the attendant of Cao Cao, and conspired to kill Cao Cao. Unexpectedly, the news leaked, and Cao Cao caught Ma Teng's leverage. Before Ma Teng could take action, Cao Cao captured and beheaded him and Huang Kui together.
This idiom is used to metaphorically describe a person with a sinister heart who is hard to get to know.
赤壁大战以后，曹操兵败退回北方。几年后，刘备再次与东吴孙权结成联盟，准备北上进攻曹操。曹操急忙召集手下的谋士商议对策。
谋士荀攸说：“与其坐等刘备和孙权两家打上门来，不如我们主动出击。”
曹操皱着眉头说：“可是万一西凉王马腾在我南下远征时乘虚而入，我们的后方岂不是危险了？”
荀攸又献上一计，说：“丞相的担忧很有道理，不除掉马腾，终究是个后患。不如封他为征南将军，下诏书诱骗他进京，然后见机下手……”曹操照计行事。
马腾接到诏书后犹豫不决，他的侄儿马岱极力劝阻他不要应诏入京。马岱说：“曹操假借皇帝的名义，下诏书给你，完全是心怀叵测，你千万去不得。”马腾的儿子马超则主张将计就计。在京城寻找机会，杀了曹操。马腾权衡再三，决定让马超留守西凉，自己带5000兵马赶赴京城。
马腾到达京城许昌后，派人暗中与曹操的侍郎黄奎联络，密谋杀掉曹操。谁知消息走漏了，曹操抓到了马腾的把柄，便抢在马腾动手之前，把他和黄奎一齐抓获斩首。
心怀叵测这个成语用来比喻一个人心存险恶，不可推测。
