Huyan Zan (呼延贊) (died 1000) was a Chinese military general in the early years of the Northern Song dynasty.
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.
[1] Born in a military family, Huyan Zan started his career as a cavalryman in the Song Dynasty army.
Emperor Taizu of Song recognized Huyan's talent and promoted him to the rank of a commissioner of the imperial cavalry (驍雄軍使).
Huyan Zan and his four sons - all with the words "forget family for the nation outside of home" (出門忘家為國) and "disregard death for the emperor in battle" (臨陣忘死為主) tattooed behind both ears - dressed up in full armour and performed martial arts in front of an audience.
After the Song army launched several disastrous campaigns against the Khitan-led Liao Dynasty, in 992, Huyan Zan became Governor of Baozhou (保州) and Deputy Commander (副都部署) of Jizhou (冀州).
Even after switching appointment, Huyan Zan showed that he was not good in governing a civilian population so he was reappointed Governor of Fuzhou (扶州) and Drill Instructor (團練使) of Kangzhou (康州).