The real Jiang Ziya in history

Not only did Jiang Ziya exist in history, but he was also an outstanding politician and military strategist in the late Shang Dynasty and early Zhou Dynasty. He was regarded as the emperor's mentor by two generations of emperors (King Wen and Wu of Zhou). He is the founding father of the Zhou Dynasty, the founder of the Qi State, and a historical giant who has made great achievements in history.

1. Brief biography

Jiang Ziya, whose surname is Jiang, whose name is Shang, and whose given name is Wang, Ziya (commonly known as Jiang Taigong). A native of Donglu in Donglu Township (today's east of Rizhao, Shandong), his ancestor assisted Dayu for his merits in flood control, and was granted the title of Lu. He took the fief as his surname, so he was also called Lu Shang.

The division commander who was in charge of the army when King Wu conquered Zhou was respected as his master and his master. "Historical Records of the Zhou Dynasty": "After King Wu of (Zhou) came to the throne, he regarded Taigong as his grand master...". In the battle of Muye (southwest of today's Qixian County, Henan Province), "Historical Records? Zhou Benji": "King Wu sent Taigongwang and Centurion to challenge Zhou's army...". Destroy the enemy and achieve meritorious service. (Zhao Wenbo's "General History of China"): "Lu Shang played a major role in the destruction of Shang." When he became king, he was granted the title of Qi and made his capital Yingqiu (today's east of Zibo, Shandong). He was granted the privilege of conquering the five princes and nine uncles, and his status was higher than that of other feudal states.

The world has said that he has many uncanny plans and talents in the world. It is said that he once wrote the military books "Six Tao" and "Yin Fu Ling Lu". He died in the sixth year of King Kang of Zhou Dynasty (1072 BC).

2. The ugly duckling turned into a golden phoenix

(1) Half a lifetime of poverty

The ancestor of Jiang Shang, Siyue Boyi, assisted Dayu in flood control and was granted the title of Lu Di . But by the time of Jiang Shang, his family was in decline and he became a poor man. In order to make ends meet, he slaughtered cattle and sold meat in Chaoge, the capital of Shang Dynasty, when he was young, and then went to Mengjin to sell wine. Although he was poor, he had great ambitions and persisted in studying hard, specializing in astronomy, geography, military strategy, and how to govern and rejuvenate the country, hoping that one day he could turn around and serve the country.

(2) Those who are willing take the bait

In his twilight years, Jiang Shang finally encountered an opportunity to display his talents. At that time, he learned that Ji Chang (King Wen of Zhou) was recruiting wise men from all over the world in order to govern and rejuvenate the country, so he resolutely came to the Western Zhou territory on the shores of the Wei River and lived in Feng River. He fished all day long, watching the changes and waiting for an opportunity to leave the mountain. Jichang, the Western Bodhisattva who came here one day for hunting, met him unexpectedly (Zhao Wenbo, "Five Thousand Years of China"): "After a conversation, (Jichang) knew that his name was Jiang Shang, and he was a capable man who was proficient in the art of war." .

Ji Chang saw that he was erudite and talented, and he was familiar with current affairs and history, so he asked him for advice on how to govern and rejuvenate the country. Jiang Shang immediately put forward the theory of "three constants": "First, it is the rule of the king to promote the virtuous; The second is that officials should always appoint talents, and the third is that scholars should always respect talents." What it means is that in order to govern and rejuvenate a country, we must put talents first and pay attention to the discovery and use of talents. Ji Chang was overjoyed after hearing this, so he worshiped Jiang Shang as his grand master and called him "Tai Gongwang".

(3) Assisting the Zhou Dynasty

Jiang Shang advised King Wen Ji Chang to cultivate virtue, practice benevolence, and formulated a series of domestic and foreign policies to strengthen Zhou and destroy Shang. Its economic policies promoted the development of production and laid the economic foundation for the elimination of business. Externally, he paralyzed King Zhou, fought over neighboring countries, and weakened and isolated the Yin and Shang dynasties. As a result, more and more vassal states and tribes surrendered to King Wen of Zhou, and a situation emerged where "three parts of the world were divided into three parts, and the other two returned to Zhou". With his assistance, the Western Zhou Dynasty became even more powerful, creating strong conditions for the final replacement of the Yin and Shang Dynasties.

After the death of King Wen of Zhou Dynasty, King Wu Jifa succeeded to the throne and worshiped Jiang Shang as his national master, respectfully calling him Master Shangfu.

In the end, Jiang Shang won a complete victory through the Battle of Muye, and then invaded Chaoge. King Zhou set himself on fire, completing the great cause of prospering the Zhou Dynasty and creating the 800-year-long imperial legacy of the Western Zhou Dynasty. "Five Thousand Years of China": "People all over the world recognize that the prosperity and strength of the Western Zhou Dynasty was the result of Jiang Taigong's painstaking assistance."

(4) Governing the State of Qi

Because Jiang Shang made outstanding contributions in the prosperity of Zhou Dynasty and the destruction of Shang, he was first granted the title of Yingqiu in Qidi and established the State of Qi to stabilize the east. "Historical Records? Zhou Benji": "(King Wu) then enfeoffed the heroes and counselors, among which Shi Shangfu was the first to be ennobled. He was granted the title of Taigong Wang in Yingqiu, and the country was named Qi;".

Due to Jiang Shang's outstanding contribution in the prosperity of Zhou Dynasty and the destruction of Shang Dynasty, he was first granted the title of Yingqiu in Qidi and established the State of Qi to stabilize the east. "Historical Records? Zhou Benji": "(King Wu) then enfeoffed the heroes and counselors, among which Shi Shangfu was the first to be ennobled. He was granted the title of Taigong Wang in Yingqiu, and the country was named Qi;".

After the establishment of the Qi State in 1045 BC, Jiang Shang first governed the country by law, revised political affairs, followed its customs, simplified etiquette, opened up industry and commerce, and developed the advantages of the fishery and salt industry. Because of his skillful governance, , so many people joined Qi, and Qi became a great country. He was granted the privilege of conquering the five princes and nine uncles, and his status was above all the feudal states. This also laid a solid foundation for Duke Huan of Qi during the Spring and Autumn Period to "unify the nine princes and rule the world, becoming the first of the five hegemons".

Conclusion: Throughout his life, Jiang Ziya was loyal, courageous, firm in faith, strong-willed, perseverant, intelligent and wise. He was regarded as an imperial teacher by two generations of emperors, and was called the "Martial Saint" by later generations. ; The originator of military strategy; His historical status has been recognized in the classics of all dynasties. Confucianism, law, military, and politics all regard him as a figure in their family, and he is respected as the "Grandmaster of Hundreds of Schools." He is a historical giant whose reputation will last through the ages!