Jiang Ziya’s legacy, a tapestry woven with threads of military strategy, philosophy, and the foundational tales of the Western Zhou Dynasty, offers a fascinating glimpse into China’s rich cultural heritage.
As a legendary figure, Jiang Ziya’s wisdom went beyond the boundaries of his era. He emerged as an important architect behind the scenes of ancient Chinese history. He played critical roles as a strategist, military tactician, and statesman, shaping the course of Chinese history of his time.
This story takes you deep into Jiang Ziya’s life, exploring how his contributions and ethos shaped the course of Chinese civilization and left an unrefutable mark on Qi culture, Confucianism, Taoism, Legalism, and beyond.
Join us in tracing the footsteps of this grandmaster, whose legacy continues to influence countless generations — and thought leaders even today.
The humble beginnings and trials of Jiang Ziya
Before assisting King Wen of Zhou, Jiang Ziya led a difficult and impoverished life. At age 32, he fled to the mountains to practice Taoism and seek refuge from the turmoil caused by the constant wars during the Shang Dynasty. After 40 years of rigorous cultivation, he descended from the mountains at age 72.
Being elderly and without a specific skill, Jiang Ziya sought shelter at a friend’s house. To make a living, he had a wide variety of occupations.
He made bamboo baskets, ground wheat into flour to sell at the market, ran a restaurant, sold livestock, and even practiced fortune-telling.
However, each venture failed shortly after starting, leading to constant ridicule and sarcasm from his wife.
Later, he served as a lower official under King Zhou of Shang, who was known for his tyranny. King Zhou ordered him to oversee the construction of the “Deer Terrace.”
Upon seeing the plans, Jiang Ziya found that the “Deer Terrace” was extravagantly designed, at 49 feet high, adorned with jade towers and pavilions, and required agate balustrades and roof beams decorated with precious stones.
Witnessing King Zhou’s oppressive rule and exploitation of the people, Jiang realized that the end was near. He told his wife: “I cannot bear to see the people suffer.
“My dear, let us go to West Qi (later known as the Zhou state) where we will have a prosperous future.”
His wife doubted his abilities, and after struggling to hold even this minor official position, she refused to go with him. Jiang Ziya had no choice but to flee to West Qi alone.
Fishing and catching a book at the Wei River
Eventually, Jiang arrived at Mount Zhongnan in Shaanxi Province. He often went fishing at the Wei River, but because his fishhook was straight, three years passed without him catching a single fish. One day, he miraculously hooked a large fish and found a military book inside its belly.
King Wen was hunting near the Wei River and encountered the 80-year-old Jiang sitting by the river fishing. After conversing with him, King Wen realized he was a talented individual capable of maintaining peace through military prowess and governing with wisdom.
The Zhou Dynasty had hoped for such a figure ever since the king’s grandfather.
Delighted, King Wen exclaimed: “My grandfather has long awaited such a man as you!”
Hence Jiang later became known as “Grandfather’s Wish.”
He later assisted King Wu of Zhou in overthrowing the Shang Dynasty, achieved remarkable feats, and was enfeoffed in the land of Qi.
Assisting the Zhou Dynasty and passing down his wisdom
Duke Zhou was the younger brother of King Wu of Zhou. After Jiang was enfeoffed in the land of Qi, he returned after five months to report on the situation to Duke Zhou.
Duke Zhou asked him: “How did you come back so quickly to report?”
Jiang replied: “I simplified the etiquette between rulers and subjects, and followed the local customs and traditions. In this way, the Qi state quickly got on track.”
Boqin, Duke Zhou’s son, had been enfeoffed in the land of Lu. Three years later, Boqin returned to report the situation to Duke Zhou.
Duke Zhou asked him: “Why did you take so long to report back?” Boqin replied: “Changing the customs there and reforming the rites takes at least three years to see results, so I have returned late.”
Upon hearing this, Duke Zhou sighed: “Only when the government decrees are peaceful and easy to implement can the people live and work in peace and contentment so the country can have long-term stability.”
Jiang advocated that rulers practice benevolence and virtue and not harm the people for personal gain. Only then can the people and the ruler work together for mutual benefit to increase the country’s strength and prosperity. Jiang’s military ideology is discussed in numerous works.
Renowned military strategists throughout history, such as Sun Tzu, Guiguzi, and Zhuge Liang, absorbed the essence of works like the Six Secret Teachings and expanded upon them, thus achieving enduring fame in Chinese history.
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