A Chinese semi-mythological figure who resided next to the Weishui River about 3,000 years ago. The region was the feudal estate of King Wen of Zhou.

He often went angling at the Weishui River, but he would fish in a bizarre way. He hung a straight hook, with no bait, three feet above the water. He over and over again said to himself, "Fish, if you are desperate to live, come and gulp down the hook by yourself."

In a little while his outlandish way of fishing was reported to King Wen, who sent a soldier to bring him back. Jiang noticed the soldier coming, but did not care about him. Jiang just continued with his fishing, and was soliloquising, "Fishing, fishing, no fish has been hooked -but shrimp is up to tomfoolery." The soldier reported this back to King Wen, who became more interested in Jiang.

King Wen sent a bureaucrat to invite Jiang this time. But Jiang again paid no attention to the invitation. He simply carried on fishing, and was saying, "Fishing, fishing, the big fish has not been hooked - but a small one is up to mischief."

Then King Wen realized Jiang might be a great genius so he went to invite Jiang personally, and brought many magnificent gifts with him. Jiang saw the king's earnest desire so Jiang decided to work for him.

Jiang helped King Wen and his son turn over the Shang Dynasty and establish the Zhou Dynasty.

Source: Wikipedia