Yelü, Chucai, 1190-1244

Yelü Chucai (Chinese: 耶律楚材; pinyin: Yēlǜ Chǔcái; Mongolian: Urtu Saqaltu "Longbeard", written in Chinese characters as "吾圖撒合里", July 24, 1190 – June 20, 1244), courtesy name Jinqing (Chinese: 晉卿), was a Khitan statesman from the imperial clan of the Liao dynasty, who became a vigorous adviser and administrator of the early Mongol Empire in the Confucian tradition. He was the first of Genghis Khan's retainers to formulate policy during the Mongol invasions and conquests. He also introduced many administrative reforms in North China during the reign of Genghis Khan and his son and successor Ögedei.