Hunan scenic spot recruits the elderly to act as Jiang Taigong for paid fishing, with thousands applying.

Recently, a scenic area in Hunan Province recruited 100 elderly people over the age of 60 to play the role of “Jiang Taigong” and fish for pay. In just a few days, thousands of people flocked to the area, prompting netizens to exclaim, “Are the elderly so enthusiastic now?”

On March 21, the Ningxiang Tanhe Ancient City Scenic Area in Hunan Province posted a recruitment notice on its public account, urgently seeking one hundred farmers over 60 years old to play the role of “Jiang Taigong” and fish on both sides of the Qinqiao in the scenic area. Working 2 to 4 hours a day, the hourly wage is 20 yuan including meals. During work hours, they can also sleep, daydream, and chat.

After the recruitment notice was issued, inquiries from all over the country flooded in. In just 3 to 4 days, the number of applicants far exceeded the expectations and actual needs of the scenic area. On March 24, the Tanhe Ancient City urgently issued another recruitment deadline notice.

On March 29, the first batch of “Jiang Taigong” in Tanhe Ancient City, Ningxiang, Hunan, started work. A viral video shows a group of “Jiang Taigong” wearing raincoats and straw hats, leisurely fishing on both sides of the Qinqiao, attracting many tourists to watch and take photos.

According to staff at the scenic area, more than 60 people were initially hired in the first batch, and the number of applicants has now exceeded a thousand. The oldest applicant is in their 70s, with the observation that “the older the age, the easier it is to be selected.”

The related topic has sparked widespread attention and discussion online.

Many netizens commented, “It’s tough to apply for a job at such an old age.” “I didn’t expect so many people to apply.” “Are the elderly so enthusiastic now?” “This is interesting, turning fishing into a job.”

Some people pointed out, “When the sky falls, a 35-year-old mother is still worse off than a 60-year-old man in finding a job.” “Are we discriminated against at 35? The saying ‘not as good as the old above, not as good as the young below’ has come true at this moment.”