A legendary strategist from ancient China, Jiang Ziya—also called Jiang Shang, Shi Shangfu, or Jiang Taigong—is best known for his role in helping the Zhou dynasty topple the Yin. The story goes that King Wen discovered him fishing along the Wei River and immediately recognized him as the wise man his own father had been searching for. Impressed, King Wen bestowed the title "Taigong Wang" (roughly "my father's wish") on the spot.
After the Zhou takeover, Jiang Ziya was rewarded with territory on the Shandong peninsula, which he developed into the state of Qi and ruled during the Spring and Autumn period. He essentially built an entire state from the ground up.
Later portrayals—particularly in the Ming novel Investiture of the Gods—reimagined him as a Taoist sage with supernatural abilities, which is pretty far removed from the historical military advisor. That said, fans often note he's had some amusing takes on his own legacy. According to Jiang Ziya himself, "It's too bad, really. If I'd only been summoned as a Caster, I'd have definitely been Grand Caster."
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