Huyan Zan Huyan Zan ( 呼延贊 ) ( died 1000 ) was a military general in the early years of imperial China ' s Song Dynasty . He participated in Song ' s conquest of Later Shu Kingdom in 964 - 965 and Northern Han Kingdom 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 tattoo ing 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 . Military career . Born in a military family , Huyan Zan started his career as a cavalry man 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 ) . In 964 , Huyan followed general Wang Quanbin ( 王全斌 ) to invade the Later Shu Kingdom as a vanguard general . He was wounded several times in battle and later promoted to deputy command commissioner ( 副指揮使 ) for his contributions in ending Later Shu . During the reign of Emperor Taizong , Huyan was further promoted to a command commissioner of armoured cavalry ( 鐵騎軍指揮使 ) . In the campaign to invade the Northern Han Kingdom in 979 , Huyan charged ahead of his men and was among the first to climb the defensive wall of Northern Han ' s capital Taiyuan . He fell from the wall 4 times and was injured , but he continued attempting to scale the wall . For his bravery , Huyan was rewarded with gold and silk by Emperor Taizong in the imperial court . In 982 , Huyan assisted Cui Han ( 崔翰 ) in defending Dingzhou against the Liao Dynasty . He demonstrated great courage , fully committed to die in battle . At the recommendation of Cui , Huyan was appointed deputy armed leader of cavalry and infantry ( 馬步軍副都軍頭 ) in 987 . During marches , he often presented self - drawn maps to the commander , while providing advice on setting up camp . He constantly expressed his desire to be sent to the frontier . Emperor Taizong summoned Huyan Zan and ordered him to perform his skills in front of him . 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 . Emperor Taizong was very pleased and he rewarded them with gold and expensive garments . In 989 , Huyan Zan was appointed Governor ( 刺史 ) of Fuzhou ( 富州 ) . 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 ) . However , Huyan Zan was not competent in managing logistics so he was reappointed Governor of Liaozhou ( 遼州刺史 ) . 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 ) . During his tenure ( 992 – 997 ) he reinvigorated the defense of the border region and held off numerous Liao attacks . In 997 , he resigned from his post after the death of Emperor Taizong . Later life . In 999 Huyan Zan was appointed by Emperor Zhenzong as Inspector of the Palace Interior and Exterior ( 宮內外都巡檢 ) . At that time , Emperor Zhenzong was seeking someone to be an army commander and many officials started fighting for the post . Huyan Zan said , " I draw a salary of thousands each month but my expenses are not even half of my salary , so I ' m already very satisfied with my current pay . I questioned myself and felt that I haven ' t done anything to repay my country so I do not dare to seek any further promotions . I ' m worried that I ' ll meet with a calamity one day if my fortune keeps increasing . " Huyan Zan ' s humility impressed many people . The following year , Huyan Zan was tasked with guarding the garden of Empress Dowager Yuande ( 元德皇太后 ) , but died during service . One son , Huyan Bixian ( 呼延必顯 ) , succeeded his father as deputy armed leader .