Why does Jiang Ziya use a straight hook to fish?

It is a metaphor for willingly falling into a trap set by others.

From: Volume 2 of the anonymous "Wang Wu's Defeat of Zhou Ping" by the Song Dynasty: "Jiang Shang was on time, so he set up a hook to catch the fish in the Wei River without using any scented bait. He was three feet away from the water, and Shang said to himself Said: 'The fateful one will take the bait! '"

Translation: Taigong often fishes by the stream, but Taigong's hook is straight, does not have bait hanging on it, does not sink into the water, and is above the water surface. Three feet high. While raising the fishing rod high, he said to himself: "You fish who don't want to live, if you are willing, just take the bait yourself!"

Extended information

Business During the reign of King Zhou, there was a man named Jiang Shang, whose courtesy name was Ziya. He is well-read in poetry and books, full of knowledge, proficient in military strategy, and has great ambitions. He once went to Chaoge, the capital of Yin and Shang Dynasties, to seek an official position but failed.

Jiang Ziya heard that Jichang, the Marquis of Xibo, was recruiting talents and implementing benevolent policies. When he was over seventy years old, he came all the way to Xiqi. After arriving at Xiqi, he did not go to recommend himself, but moved to the north bank of the Weishui River to live. After that, he fished in the Weishui River every day, waiting for Ji Chang's arrival.

Jiang Ziya’s method of fishing is very strange: short fishing rod, long fishing line, straight hook, no bait, the fishing rod is not put into the water, and it is three feet high from the water surface. While he was fishing, he said to himself: "When Taigong fishes, he who wishes will take the bait."

A woodcutter named Wuji came to the river and saw Jiang Ziya using a straight hook without bait on the water. When he was fishing, he said to him: "If you fish like this, you won't catch a fish even for a hundred years."

Jiang Ziya said: "You don't know the reason, I am not here to catch fish. But to catch the king and the marquis."

Later, he really caught Zhou Wen Wang Jichang. Ji Changxing Zhou conquered Zhou and urgently needed to recruit talents. He concluded that Jiang Ziya, who was over seventy years old, was a pillar of talent.

So he fasted for three days, bathed and changed clothes, and went to hire Jiang Ziya in person with generous gifts. Jiang Ziya assisted King Wen of Zhou to establish the country, and later assisted King Wu of Zhou Jifa to destroy Shang. Jiang Ziya was granted the title of Qidi by King Wu and realized his wish to make great achievements.

Baidu Encyclopedia-Jiang Taigong fishing

Baidu Encyclopedia-Jiang Taigong fishing, whoever wants to take the bait