Jiang Taigong, who is also known as Jiang Ziya, was a statesman and strategist in China around 3000 years ago during the Shang dynasty whose king was very corrupted. Jiang lived in the feudal state area ruled by count Ji Chang, a man who was highly revered and honored by people, and he dreamed to bring a good life to people, so Jiang aspired to help him.
In order to get Ji’s attention, Jiang often went fishing at the Weishui River in an unusual way. His hook was straight without bait, and he hung it three feet above the water. Soon such a strange way of fishing was noticed by Ji Chang, so he tried several times to invite Jiang. Moved by his sincerity， Jiang decided to work for him. Later, he helped Ji and his son overthrow the Shang dynasty and established the Zhou dynasty.
Today, people use this idiom “Fish willing to be caught by angler Jiang Taigong (姜太公钓鱼，愿者上钩)” to describe someone who is willing to fall in a trap or does something without considering the result.
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