In the novel Romance of Gods and the TV series List of Gods, Jiang Ziya is a disciple of Yuanshi Tianzun in Yuxu Palace in Kunlun Mountain. Later, he was ordered to go down the mountain to help Zhou destroy the merchants and lead the story of God's help to achieve the country. After many hardships, I finally achieved the great cause of the gods. This is the plot in novels and TV plays. Is there Jiang Ziya in real history? What kind of person is he?
At the end of Shang Dynasty and the beginning of Zhou Dynasty, a statesman, strategist, surnamed Jiang, surnamed Lu, a famous businessman, a famous foreigner, Nianziya, or Shanya, also known as Lu Shang, flying bear, posthumous title. People in the last years of Shang Dynasty. Therefore, many people call it Jiang Ziya, whose ancestors used to be the official of four mountains, assisting Yu Xia to control water and soil. Shun and Yu were sealed in Lu, so they were also called Lu merchants. When Jiang Ziya was born, his wealth declined. According to relevant documents, Jiang Ziya once worked as a butcher and a small trader, once slaughtered cattle, sang songs and sold acanthopanax senticosus. Others say that he is also a butcher who sings and a guest of Acanthopanax senticosus. However, Jiang Ziya people are not lacking in ambition. Whether slaughtering cattle or doing business, they are always diligent in studying astronomy, geography and military strategies, and studying the way of governing the country and keeping the country safe, hoping to display their talents for the country one day. Before Jiang Ziya assisted Zhou Wenwang, life was very poor and bumpy. At the age of thirty-two, he went to the mountains to practice Buddhism because of the constant wars in the Shang Dynasty. After forty years of penance, he returned to his hometown. Because I am old and have no skills, I have to temporarily take refuge in a friend's house. Jiang Ziya, who cried out all day to serve his country, did nothing and was often laughed at and ridiculed by his wife.
After waiting for 72 years, Jiang Ziya finally had his own Bole. This Bole is Zhou Wenwang. "Comments on King Wu" Volume II: "Jiang Shang was punctual because of his orders. He set a hook to catch fish on the Wei River, three feet away from the water, and said to himself, "Those who are not alive will take the bait! "The story of Jiang Taigong's fishing took place in the Shang and Zhou Dynasties. I wonder if this story is true or not. Shang and Zhou Dynasties were very autocratic, and Zhou Wenwang was determined to overthrow this despotism. According to legend, when Jiang Ziya was 72 years old, he was fishing in Panxi on the Weihe River and met Ji Chang Hou Ji Chang (later Zhou Wenwang), who was thirsty for talents. Zhou Wenwang saw an old man fishing by the stream, and his hook was straight, which made Zhou Wenwang wonder what kind of person he was. Ji Chang thought that Jiang Taigong was a wizard, invited him back by bus, worshipped him as a teacher, and began to make waves and destroy business. Therefore, there is a famous saying: Jiang Taigong was hooked by a fisherman, which is a metaphor for willingly falling into a trap set by others.
Jiang Ziya read widely and tried his best to help Zhou Wenwang achieve hegemony. Zhou Wenwang also recognized Jiang Ziya as a saint, so he called Jiang Ziya "King Taigong", and they rode home together, honoring him as a surname. Jiang Ziya has made outstanding contributions in military, political and economic thoughts, especially in military affairs. Therefore, Gong Yan, a great teacher, said that "the words of the soldiers of later generations and the achievements of Yin in the Zhou Dynasty were all based on the idea of being a squire", which was called the originator of the military.
He assisted the emperor, prospered the country and made great achievements in politics, economy and culture. After the establishment of Qi State, Jiang Ziya first ruled by law to stabilize people's hearts. Tang Yang of the Sikou camp disobeyed, took bribes and harmed the people, spreading rumors and confusing people. Jiang Taigong ordered beheading, which is an example. At this time, Qi never disobeyed orders and regulations, and the chaotic situation was quickly solved. In less than a few months, Qi was well managed by Jiang Ziya. Politically, it pursues the policy of respecting merit and valuing merit. Regardless of personal relationships, selecting talents as officials has set a precedent of appointing people on merit and making Qi's national strength strong. Culturally, we should implement the enlightened policy of "simplifying according to local conditions" and publicize the new etiquette system of Zhou without violating local customs. After a series of reforms in Jiang Ziya, Qi gradually developed from a remote and desolate small country and a poor country into a big country and a rich country living in the East.
Jiang Ziya lived in poverty for half his life, and he was indecisive about choosing a master. But he was patient, observed the situation and waited for the opportunity, and finally met a master to help Ji Chang and Xiu De strengthen their martial arts and prosper the Zhou Dynasty. There is a saying that "there are three points in the world, two points belong to Zhou, and the squire's plans are mostly", which shows the importance of squire in the Zhou Dynasty. It is because of Jiang Ziya's efforts that Qi has come into being today, which also laid the foundation for becoming the first of the five tyrants.