Huyan Zan (original) (raw)

Huyan Zan (呼延贊) (died 1000) was a Chinese military general in the early years of the Northern Song dynasty. He participated in the Northern Song's conquest of the Later Shu in 964-965 and the Northern Han in 979. Later he helped defend Song's northern border against the Khitan-ruled Liao dynasty. His surname Huyan suggests Xiongnu origins. A fierce warrior, Huyan Zan is known for tattooing the words "fervently kill the Khitans" (赤心殺契丹) all over his body, as well as on that of his wife and servants.