San Yisheng accepted the order and left. When he asked Wu Ji about it, Wu Ji told him how he had killed someone, that he had an elderly mother at home, and that he had met Jiang Ziya. San Yisheng immediately became curious about Jiang Ziya and agreed to release Wu Ji first. He then turned back and told Ji Chang.

After returning home, Wu Ji settled his mother and then went to the city to turn himself in. On the way, he encountered Jiang Ziya again, who was still sitting there. Wu Ji thought to himself: This man is quite extraordinary. He was able to foresee that I would suffer a bloody disaster. Perhaps he can save me.

After thinking it over, Wu Ji walked behind Jiang Ziya and called out gracefully, "Master Jiang!"

Jiang Ziya turned around and saw Wu Ji. Jiang Ziya said, "You are the woodcutter who was here that day."

Wu Ji replied, "That's right."

Jiang Ziya asked, "Did you kill anyone that day?"

Wu Ji hurriedly knelt and wept, pleading, "I am but a foolish mountain dweller, a simpleton wielding an axe, unaware of profound matters. With mortal eyes, I cannot recognize your esteemed wisdom and profound understanding, sir. My words the other day offended your dignity. You are a man of great stature, not a lowly person like myself. I beg you, sir, not to hold a grudge, but to show your mercy and compassion, and to help all living beings! That day, after parting from you, I reached the South Gate and encountered King Wen's arrival. While carrying firewood, I dodged him, but unknowingly, my carrying pole collapsed, killing the gate guard." Wang Xiang. At this time, King Wen has sentenced me to death. I, however, am concerned for my elderly mother, who is now destitute and destined to die a gruesome death. I was fortunate that the high-ranking official, San Yisheng, petitioned King Wen on my behalf, and I am temporarily allowed to return home. I have made proper arrangements for my mother's funeral and will soon return to pay my respects to Wang Xiang. Considering this, I know that the lives of my mother and I are still in danger. Therefore, I have come to pay my respects to Lord Jiang, earnestly hoping for your mercy and the salvation of my mother and me. I will repay your kindness with the utmost gratitude, even unto death!

Jiang Ziya said, "Fate is fixed and cannot be changed. You killed someone, so you should pay with your life. How can I save you?"

Buji wept and pleaded, "Your Majesty's grace extends to all things, from insects to plants, everywhere showing mercy. If you can save the lives of mother and child, I will never forget it!"

Seeing that Wu Ji's intentions were sincere and that this person was destined for greatness, Jiang Ziya said, "If you want me to save you, you must become my disciple before I will save you."

Upon hearing this, Wu Ji immediately bowed. Jiang Ziya said, “Since you are my disciple, I have no choice but to save you. Now, quickly return home and dig a pit four feet deep, as long as it is for you, in front of your bed. At dusk, sleep in the pit; have your mother light a lamp in front of your head and another at your feet. You can have rice or cooked rice, just grab a handful and sprinkle it on your body, then cover it with some weeds. After sleeping through the night, get up and go about your business; nothing more will happen.” Wu Ji listened, obeyed his master's orders, returned home, and began digging. A poem testifies to this: The poem says: King Wen's innate calculations, Ziya's skill in averting star afflictions. Without Wu Ji's actions, how could he have entered the imperial court?

When Wuji returned home, his face was beaming with joy. His mother said, "My son, what did you do when you went to ask Master Jiang for help?" Wuji told his mother everything. His mother was overjoyed and immediately ordered Wuji to dig a pit and light a lamp. (The story continues...)

After San Yisheng told Ji Chang about Jiang Ziya, Ji Chang wanted to meet him. Moreover, since Wu Ji had not returned, he could also ask him about it.

On the day of the arrival of the day, King Wen led his ministers to the banks of the Wei River, where they indeed saw a fisherman sitting on the riverbank fishing. Ji Chang stepped forward and asked, "Are you Jiang Ziya?"

The fisherman turned around and said, "That's right." Then he turned back to look at his fishing rod.