Hu Yan

Hu Yan
The Wen Duke recovering Jin, attributed to Li Tang (AD 1140)
Chinese	狐偃
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Hú Yǎn Wade–Giles Hu Yen
Courtesy name
Chinese	子犯
Literal meaning	Master Fan Viscount Fan
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zǐfàn Wade–Giles Tzu-fan

Other names
The major states of Zhou China during its Spring and Autumn period
Jiu Ji
Chinese	臼季 咎季
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Jiù Jì Wade–Giles Chiu Chi
Jiu Fan
Chinese	舅犯 咎犯
Literal meaning	Uncle Fan
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Jiù Fàn Wade–Giles Chiu Fan
Sikong Jizi
Chinese	司空季子
Literal meaning	Jizi, the Minister of Works
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Sīkōng Jìzǐ Wade–Giles Ssu-k‘ung Chi-tzu

Hu Yan (715–629 BC) was a Di tribesman who served as a minister and general of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history. Hu Yan assisted Prince Chong'er (posthumously the "Wen Duke") during his long exile, his usurpation of his nephew Yu, and his rise to hegemonic status over the other states of the Zhou Kingdom. The Legalist Han Fei considered Hu Yan one of the best advisors of ancient China, and the historian Sima Qian listed him with Sun Tzu as the greatest tacticians of the age.