During the late Shang Dynasty, King Zhou was tyrannical and immoral, causing widespread suffering among the people.
在殷商末期，纣王暴虐无道，百姓苦不堪言。
In the west, the Zhou tribe under the leadership of Xibo Jichang implemented benevolent policies, leading to increasing national strength and the allegiance of many feudal lords.
而在西部的周部落，西伯姬昌推行仁政，国力逐渐强盛，诸侯纷纷归附。
At this time, Jiang Shang, a man of great talent and ambition, learned that Jichang was widely seeking wise and capable men, so he came to the Panxi area by the Wei River and lived in seclusion, spending his days fishing and waiting for the right opportunity.
此时，怀揣雄才大略的姜尚得知姬昌在广泛寻找贤能之士，于是来到渭水边的磻溪隐居，整日垂钓，等待时机。
Jiang Shang's way of fishing was quite unusual.
姜尚钓鱼的方式与众不同。
He used a straight hook without bait and hung it three feet above the water.
他用直钩，不放鱼饵，并且将钩子高悬于水面三尺。
He would also mutter to himself, “Fish that are not afraid to die, if you are willing, come and hook yourselves!”
他还自言自语：“不想活命的鱼，愿意的话就自己上钩吧！”
One day, a woodcutter named Wu Ji saw Jiang Shang fishing without bait and was puzzled.
一天，樵夫武吉看到后，感到困惑。
He said to Jiang Shang, “Old man, with this method, you won't catch a fish in a hundred years!”
对他说：“老先生，这样钓鱼，一百年也钓不到一条啊！”
Jiang Shang responded calmly, “I prefer to seek what is right rather than compromise for what is convenient.
姜尚却回应道：“我宁愿在正直中求取，不愿在曲意中谋求。
I’m not fishing for fish; I’m fishing for kings and lords.”
我钓的不是鱼，而是王侯。”
On that very day, King Wen of Zhou, Ji Chang, was out hunting by the north bank of the Wei River with his son and retinue.
正巧这一天，周文王姬昌带着儿子和随从来到渭水北岸打猎。
They happened to encounter Jiang Shang fishing by the Panxi stream.
遇见了正在钓鱼的姜尚。
Jiang Shang's unique fishing method immediately caught the king’s attention, and he began to converse with him.
姜尚独特的钓鱼方式引起了文王的注意，两人攀谈起来。
Through their conversation, King Wen realized that Jiang Shang was a man of great knowledge and insight.
通过交谈，文王发现姜尚学识渊博、见识非凡。
Jiang Shang proposed the "Three Constants" theory: first, the ruler should always elevate the worthy; second, officials should always appoint the capable; and third, scholars should always respect the virtuous.
姜尚还提出了“三常”之说，即君要以举贤为常，官要以任贤为常，士要以敬贤为常。
He emphasized that to govern a country successfully, one must prioritize talent.
他认为治国必须重视人才。
Ji Chang was delighted by this and personally invited Jiang Shang onto his chariot, bringing him back to the palace and appointing him as the Grand Preceptor, respectfully calling him "Taigong Wang."
姬昌听后大喜，亲自请姜尚上车，并将他带回宫中，拜为太师，尊称“太公望”。
From then on, Jiang Shang began to showcase his talents, assisting King Wen in governing the state and later helping King Wen's son, Ji Fa, overthrow the Shang Dynasty.
从此，姜尚开始施展才华，辅佐文王兴国治世，又帮助文王之子武王姬发推翻商朝。
He was eventually enfeoffed in the Qi region, fulfilling his ambition to achieve great deeds.
最终被封于齐地，实现了建功立业的抱负。
The phrase “Jiang Taigong fishing, those who are willing will take the bait” became a well-known saying, symbolizing the high-minded scholars who wait for recognition from wise rulers while maintaining their dignity.
“姜太公钓鱼，愿者上钩”由此成为流传千古的成语，象征着贤才自有高风亮节，等待明主赏识的精神。
The later story of Zhuge Liang and Liu Bei's three visits to the thatched cottage is a brilliant reenactment of this model.
后来的诸葛亮与刘备三顾茅庐的故事，也是这一典型模式的再现。
