Chi Jian (269 – 8 October 339), courtesy name Daohui, was a Chinese military general of the Jin dynasty (266–420). During the time of the Disaster of Yongjia, he led the refugees from his hometown to Yanzhou in 312 to escape the chaos in the north. They later fled to the south as Later Zhao were close to conquering the province. Under the Eastern Jin dynasty, Chi Jian became an important leading figure, standing with the likes of Wen Jiao and Tao Kan who greatly contributed to the dynasty's survival during the rebellions of Wang Dun and Su Jun. His name can be rendered as Xi Jian. Early career Chi Jian was from Gaoping County (高平縣; northwest of present-day Weishan County, Shandong) and was very poor in his youth. His great-grandfather was Chi Lü, an official under the Han dynasty warlord Cao Cao. Chi Jian was determined to better his livelihood, so he began reading the scriptures and whenever he farmed, he would chant what he had learnt. Eventually, he landed an office serving under the Prince of Zhao, Sima Lun. However, he disliked the prince's growing imperial ambition and soon resigned. When Sima Lun usurped the throne in 301, Chi Jian refused to return to his service despite offers of lofty titles. The same year, Sima Lun would be killed, and Chi Jian returned to the government to serve Liu Shi (劉寔). A few years later, Chi Jian received respective offers from the Prince of Donghai, Sima Yue, and Yue's general, Gou Xi, to serve under them. Chi Jian refused both of them, sensing that the two men will soon be turning on one another. Eventually, Chi Jian decided to retire from the government. Disaster of Yongjia and as Inspector of Yanzhou In 311, the barbarian forces of Han Zhao took over Luoyang and captured the emperor. Meanwhile, Chi Jian was captured by Chen Wu (陳午) of the Qihuo. Chen Wu wanted to employ Chi Jian and make him their leader, but Chi managed to escape. After Chen Wu was defeated, Chi Jian returned to his hometown in Gaoping, where most of the inhabitants were desperate to escape the ongoing war in the north. Chi Jian became a refugee leader because of this and led his followers fled to Mount Yi in 313, where they defended themselves from enemies. The Prince of Langya and Jin's paramount prince in the