King Wen's sincere words struck exactly where Jiang Ziya wanted.
He had lived in seclusion by the Wei River, fishing with a straight hook and testing worthy rulers three times. After years of painstaking planning, was this not the enlightened lord he had been waiting for?
Seeing Ji Chang's genuine sincerity and how humbly he treated the worthy, Jiang Ziya no longer maintained his pose of reclusion. He solemnly cupped his hands and said:
"Since Your Majesty does not disdain this commoner, Jiang Shang is willing to devote all his learning to assisting the Zhou house and bringing peace to the realm."
Ji Chang was overjoyed upon hearing this and repeatedly praised him. To show his respect, he personally stepped forward, took the reins, and pulled Jiang Ziya's carriage himself.
All the way from Pan Creek back to Xiqi, King Wen, though a feudal lord, willingly pulled the carriage for a worthy minister. The people along the road were astonished and deeply moved, kneeling to praise him:
"His Majesty thirsts for talent and humbles himself to such a degree. Xiqi is truly blessed!"
The news spread from one to ten, then from ten to a hundred. Ji Chang's reputation for valuing talent and honoring the worthy sank deep into the hearts of the people, and Xiqi's popular support grew ever more secure.
After returning to the capital, Ji Chang immediately ordered the construction of the Golden Terrace. On an auspicious day, he held a grand ceremony to appoint a chancellor, publicly naming Jiang Ziya Right Chancellor and placing him in command of the three armies, with full authority over Xiqi's civil and military affairs.
From that day on, Jiang Ziya rightfully took charge of all civil and military matters in Xiqi, secretly training troops, stockpiling provisions, and reforming the laws.