History of Jiang Ziya

Jiang Ziya was a real historical figure who is credited with the writing of The Six Secret Strategic Teachings (Liutao). His ancestral name was Jiang. Jiang Tai Gong, or Jiang Ziya was a government official employed during the reign of the last king of the Shang dynasty. The king (named Zhou) was a very bad and corrupt king, and Jiang was either fired or resigned from his position. As a senior citizen, over age 70, he spent his time fishing along the shores of the Wei River. 
 

The Sage Jiang Ziya Fishing in the Wei River

Source: Harvardartmuseum.org

One day, King Wen, the king of Zhou, was hunting on the northern shore of the Wei River. He saw an old man quietly fishing by the shore.  Wen was curious about this old man especially since he was fishing without a hook (or in some versions, with an unbent needle). Why was he fishing in this way which was impossible to catch fish?

As King Wen began to chat with him, he thought of a prophecy that his grandfather had made, that someday he would find a wise and virtuous man that would aid him in overthrowing the tyrannical King Zhou and bring prosperity to the Zhou state.  He realized that this man was a brilliant political strategist and the sage his grandfather had foretold.

King Wen gave Jiang Ziya a title of respect, "Jiang Tai Gong", meaning "The Great Duke's Hope." With the assistance of Tai Gong as a mentor, the Zhou state became very prosperous and eventually became the ruling dynasty of ancient China.