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Yen Hui (also known as Yen Tsu-yuan or Yen Yuan) was one of Confucius' students. He was born in the kingdom of Lu during the Spring and Autumn Period of Zhou Dynasty. Being a bright and earnest person, he learned much from studying only one thing. Yen Hui was renowned because he did not take his anger out at others, nor did he ever commit the same mistake twice. Confucius placed him at the top of those who were honored for their virtuous personalities.

Yen's life was austere and simple. He lived in narrow, dirty alleys and was always lacking in food and drink. Others would have been in distress under such pressure, but he remained steadfast, satisfied with a simple and virtuous life. His hair turned gray at the age of twenty-nine from overwork and malnutrition. It is said he died at thirty-two, but he has always been remembered by following generations as the "Fu" Saint.