Yan Zhiyi
Yan Zhiyi , courtesy name Zisheng, was a native of Linyi County, Langya Commandery . He was a minister during the Northern Zhou dynasty and a governor during the Sui dynasty. He died in the winter of 591-592 at the age of 69.
Life
During the Southern Liang dynasty
Yan Zhiyi's father Yan Xie entered the service of Emperor Yuan of Liang, when the latter was still Prince of Xiangdong. In January 555, Western Wei captured Jiangling, and Yan Zhiyi moved to Chang'an.During the Northern Zhou dynasty
At Chang'an, Yan Zhitui first entered the service of Emperor Ming.On 27 March 576, when Yuwen Yun was still crown prince during the reign of his father Emperor Wu, he was sent on an expedition against the Tuyuhun. Yuwen Yun made errors during this expedition; while officials like Zheng Yi were reprimanded for failing to correct the crown prince, Yan Zhiyi was rewarded for his repeated petitions. Yan was made Baron of Pingyang County, with a fiefdom of 200 households.
During the reign of Emperor Xuan, Yan Zhiyi was made a duke and his fiefdom increased to a thousand households.
After the death of Emperor Xuan, court officials led by Liu Fang and Zheng Yi amended the edict containing Emperor Xuan's will, making Yang Jian chancellor and chief counselor for the young Emperor Jing. Yan Zhiyi, knowing that this was not Emperor Xuan's true intentions, refused to join in the plot. Later, after Yang Jian had become chancellor and regent, he asked Yan Zhiyi for the Imperial Seal. Yan replied with a stern expression, "The Seal belongs to the Emperor; why is the Chancellor demanding to possess it?" Yang Jian was so angered by the reply that he ordered Yan to be dragged out and executed. However, remembering and apprehending Yan's excellent reputation with the people, Yang Jian halted the execution.