Yan Yan (506 BCE - ?), with the surname Yan and given name Yan, styled Zi You, also known as Yan You, was forty-five years younger than Confucius. He was a native of Changshu in the State of Wu and the only southerner among Confucius's seventy-two worthies. As a student in Confucius's later years, he is mentioned eight times in The Analects. Yan Yan was exceptionally talented and, along with Zi Xia (a disciple known for literary learning), was a distinguished member of Confucius's "literary" discipline, which referred to the study of poetry, history, ritual, and music. He not only cultivated himself through Li (Propriety) but, more importantly, was able to practice and spread the teachings of ritual and music. He once served as an official in the State of Lu, acting as the steward of Wucheng, where he implemented Confucius's teachings on governing through ritual and music, so much so that the townspeople were always singing and playing music. One day, Confucius passed through Wucheng and, hearing the sounds of music throughout the city, was very pleased. Smiling, he said to Yan Yan, "Why use an ox-cleaver to kill a chicken?" Yan Yan replied, "I have often heard you, Master, say that when a Junzi (Exemplary Person) learns the Way of ritual and music, he will love the people. When ordinary people learn it, they will readily follow orders and be easy to govern. I am simply putting this teaching into practice!" Hearing this, Confucius said to his attending disciples, "Listen to him. He is quite right. My remark about not using an ox-cleaver to kill a chicken was just a joke." Confucius's comment expressed both regret that Yan Yan's talents were being underutilized and satisfaction that he was able to promote ritual and music. Yan Yan was also skilled at recognizing talent, once discovering a capable and unpretentious man named Tantai Mieming (a disciple of Confucius known for his integrity).
After completing his studies, he returned south and made great contributions to the flourishing of Jiangnan culture. Confucius remarked, "With Yan Yan in my school, my teachings can be spread in the south." Thus, Yan Yan (a disciple of Confucius) is honored as the "Master of the South."