Jiang Ziya Fishing with a Straight Hook
BackAt the end of the Shang Dynasty, there was an old man with white hair and a white beard named Jiang Ziya. He wanted to use his lifelong knowledge to assist King Zhou, but King Zhou was a tyrant. Disheartened, Jiang Ziya retired to live by the Wei River, waiting for someone who would appreciate his talents.
Every day, Jiang Ziya went to the river to fish, but his fishing hook was different from others. While others used curved hooks to catch fish that greedily bit the bait, Jiang Ziya’s hook was straight and had no bait on it. One day, as Jiang Ziya was preparing to fish, a woodcutter saw his hook and burst into laughter. "Old man, even if you wait for three days and nights, you won't catch any fish. Don't waste your time, go home." "Oh, young man, how do you know I won't catch any fish?" Jiang Ziya asked. "Your hook is straight and has no bait on it, of course, you won't catch any fish," the woodcutter replied. "You don't understand," Jiang Ziya smiled. "Even though my hook is straight, the fish I want to catch will willingly bite the hook." "What kind of foolish fish would do that?" the woodcutter said, laughing as he walked away.
Strange people and strange things always spread quickly. Before long, everyone knew that there was an old man by the river using a straight hook, waiting for fish to willingly bite. This news also reached the ears of Ji Chang, the Marquis of the West. At that time, Ji Chang was seeking talented people to help overthrow King Zhou's tyrannical rule. When he heard about Jiang Ziya fishing, he was intrigued and immediately went to the river. But the riverbank was empty; Jiang Ziya had hidden to test Ji Chang's sincerity. Ji Chang's attendants were indignant, "The Marquis himself came to invite him, but he hid. How ungrateful!" Ji Chang, however, laughed and said, "This only proves he is an extraordinary person. I must bring him back." A few days later, Ji Chang returned to the river. This time, Jiang Ziya did not hide but instead chatted with Ji Chang like an old friend. Ji Chang, holding Jiang Ziya's hand, said tearfully, "Meeting you confirms that you are a great talent. With your assistance, my aspirations can soon be realized." Jiang Ziya was appointed as the Grand Tutor and advised Ji Chang. After Ji Chang's death, Jiang Ziya assisted his son, Ji Fa, in overthrowing the Shang Dynasty and establishing the Zhou Dynasty.
It was only then that people understood that Jiang Ziya was not fishing for fish, but for someone who would appreciate him.
The Grand Duke Fishing, Those Who Wish to Bite Take the Hook: "Grand Duke" refers to Jiang Ziya, an early Zhou Dynasty official. This phrase means that those who are willing will willingly fall into the trap.
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