Yu Shiji (虞世基; before 558 – 11 April 618), courtesy name Maoshi (懋世 or 茂世), was a Chinese politician, poet, and calligrapher who served Emperor Yang of the Sui dynasty as a de facto chief minister from 607 to 618. Acclaimed for his skill in the literary arts of rhapsody and calligraphy, Yu began his career as an official of the Chen dynasty and held prestigious positions in the imperial administration before Sui forces conquered Chen in 589. He subsequently entered Sui service as a low-ranking official, supporting himself financially by working as a calligrapher-for-hire. After Emperor Yang acceded to the throne, Yu rose to become deputy director of the palace secretariat and, in this role, served as one of the emperor's principal counsellors and de facto chief ministers. An astute politic