Chi Chao (336–377), courtesy name Jingxing or Jingyu, was a Chinese politician of the Jin dynasty (266–420). He was an advisor and close friend to the Jin Grand Marshal Huan Wen, aiding him in his northern expeditions and abdication of Emperor Fei of Jin. Chi later helped Huan Wen and his family consolidate their control over the state, but after Huan's death, he gradually lost influence to his rival Xie An until his death in 377. Outside his career, Chi was an influential figure in the rise of Buddhism in China, as he was among the first of his time to try and cooperate the ideas of Confucianism and Taoism with the new teaching in his "Fengfayao (奉法要)". His name can be rendered as Xi Chao. Family and background Chi Chao's was from Jinxiang County in Gaoping Commandery. His grandfather, Chi Jian, was a famous general of the early Eastern Jin era who helped put down the rebellions of Wang Dun and Su Jun. Chao's father, Chi Yin (郗愔) also served in the government and succeeded Jian after his death in 339, although Yin was said to have been not as talented as his father. Chi Chao was highly regarded for his intelligence and way with words. It was because of this that he had many friends in intellectual circles. The Jin minister Xie An once praised him by claiming that he was better than his own nephews. Chi Chao was also compared to his contemporary, Wang Tanzhi as both shared the same kind of fame among the people. Service under Huan Wen Early career Chi Chao began his career at a very young age in 345 under Sima Yu as a simple official in his staff. He became a subordinate to the general, Huan Wen some time after but no later than 356, as suggested in the biography of Yin Hao in the Book of Jin. Huan was a very cold and aloof man, rarely making friends with anyone. Chi Chao proved to be an exception, however, as he managed to gain Huan Wen’s respect through a conversation between the two. Henceforth, the duo were very trusting and supportive of one another. In 363, Huan Wen made Chi Chao his Army Advisor and Wang Xun his Registrar. Due to the two of them being the general's favourites, the people of Jingzhou and those in Huan Wen's camp made a