King Yi of Yan (, died 321 BC),

ancestral name In some cultures, a surname, family name, or last name is the portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family, tribe or community. Practices vary by culture. The family name may be placed at either the start of a person's full name ...

Jī (姬), clan name Yān (燕), personal name unknown, was the first king of the

state of Yan Yan (; Old Chinese pronunciation: ''*'') was an ancient Chinese state during the Zhou dynasty. Its capital was Ji (later known as Yanjing and now Beijing). During the Warring States period, the court was also moved to another capital at Xiadu ...

Warring States period The Warring States period () was an era in ancient Chinese history characterized by warfare, as well as bureaucratic and military reforms and consolidation. It followed the Spring and Autumn period and concluded with the Qin wars of conquest ...

of Chinese history. He ruled the state between 331 BC until his death in 321 BC. He was the son of Duke Wen of Yan. He came to the throne after his father's death, in the same year, Yan was attacked by Qi and lost ten cities. He sent

Su Qin Su Qin (380–284 BCE) was a Chinese political consultant and philosopher who was an influential political strategist during the Warring States period. He was born in Chengxuan Village, Luoyang in present-day Henan Province. According to legend S ...

to Qi and successfully persuaded

King Xuan of Qi King Xuan of Qi (; died 301 BC) was from 319 to 301 BC ruler of Qi, one of the seven major states of the Warring States period of ancient China. King Xuan's personal name was Tian Bijiang (田辟疆), ancestral name Gui ( 媯), and King Xuan wa ...

to return these cities. In 323 BC, He promoted himself the king. However, during the last three years of his reign, the court was controlled by the powerful chancellor Su Qin. King Yi died in 321 BC, succeeded by his son Kuai.

References

Monarchs of Yan (state) 321 BC deaths Chinese kings Yan (state) Zhou dynasty nobility Year of birth unknown 4th-century BC Chinese monarchs {{China-royal-stub