生平

早年生活

于禁原籍東漢南山鉅平縣(今山東泰安南)。黃巾軍初起時，大將軍何進派遣騎都尉鮑信，歸還泰山招募兵眾，得千餘人，泰山人于禁在這時前往依附跟從。鮑信引軍回到成皐時，何進已因宮中生變而被殺害。其後董卓專權，鮑信勸袁紹暗殺董卓，袁紹畏懼董卓不從其計，於是鮑信引軍回到故鄉泰山，招募兵眾二萬人，戰馬七百匹，輜重五千餘乘。這年曹操亦起義兵於己吾，於是鮑信與弟鮑韜引軍響應曹操，同討董卓。後曹操為東郡太守，表奏鮑信為濟北相。

初平三年夏(192年)，青州黃巾餘黨百萬入兗州，殺任城相鄭遂，轉入東平縣。兗州刺史劉岱欲出兵攻擊，濟北相鮑信進諫勸阻不果，劉岱與青州黃巾交戰，陣亡。兗州名士陳宮與鮑信等表奏曹操領兗州，這時于禁與其黨羽一同前往，被任命為都伯，隸屬將軍王朗。

將軍王朗對于禁才能感到驚訝，推薦給曹操說于禁的才能足以任為大將軍。曹操召見于禁與他談話，任命于禁為司馬。當時袁紹與袁術不和，袁術與公孫瓚、陶謙等相連，袁紹又與曹操相連。徐州牧陶謙屯兵於曹操東郡領地發幹，於是曹操命于禁領兵前往徐州，攻打廣戚繇，攻破了縣城，任命于禁為陷陣都尉。

屢立戰功

興平元年(194年)，于禁跟從曹操攻打呂布於濮陽，于禁獨自率軍攻破呂布二營於城南，又擊破呂布部將高雅於須昌。次年（195年），圍攻張超於雍丘。

建安元年（196年）二月，隨曹操征討黃巾賊劉闢、黃邵等，屯兵於版梁，期間賊將黃邵等夜襲曹操營寨，于禁率領部下軍迎擊，斬殺劉闢、黃邵等人，並盡降其眾，遷平虜校尉。

建安二年（197年）九月，袁術侵襲陳國，于禁隨曹操東征，圍橋蕤等於苦，斬殺橋蕤、李豐、梁綱、樂就等袁術軍四將於苦。

淯水之難

建安二年（197年）十一月，于禁隨曹操至宛，張繡投降，但再度反叛，曹操的陣營被張繡忽然襲擊，應付來不及，便各自退兵，非常混亂。唯獨于禁約束部下，且戰且退。一些戰友雖然戰死了，于禁也不允許散亂。還沒有退回曹軍大本營，于禁路上發現十多個衣衫不整的傷兵，一問之下原來是青州兵在打家劫舍。青州兵原為曹操先前收留的黃巾賊，曹操對他們很寬容，因此經常放肆乘機搶劫。于禁一聽大怒，便追討這些同屬曹營的青州兵，「數之以罪」。但有些青州兵不甘，便逃回曹營打小報告，誣告于禁也造反。有人勸于禁首先向曹操處報備，但于禁說：「現在敵人在後面追來，我首先抗敵，至於曹公，他是明智的人，正是謠言止於智者，怕什麼？」於是于禁先築好了濠溝以防敵人進攻，然後才令人通知曹操及向他解釋。曹操聽了，認為于禁的做法很對，當眾說：「當時敵人來攻，相當混亂，于禁能在混亂中整頓軍隊，追討搶掠的惡行，安營築寨地堅守，真是好將領的榜樣啊！」並封于禁為益壽亭侯。

建安三年（198年），破張繡於穰。後擒呂布於下邳。次年（199年）夏四月，與史渙、徐晃、曹仁、樂進攻破張楊舊部眭固於射犬。

奪朱靈兵權

官渡之戰時，朱靈不願出兵攻打舊主袁紹，引起了曹操的憎惡，想解除他的兵權。於是派威名顯赫的于禁率數十騎兵，帶著敕令，前往朱靈的營中奪其兵權。朱靈及其部下都不敢擅動，於是朱靈便成為于禁的麾下部將。

北拒袁紹 南征劉備

建安四年（199年），曹操與袁紹初次交鋒，于禁願做前哨，曹操讓于禁守延津以拒袁紹。

次年（200年）正月，劉備在徐州叛變，曹操征討。袁紹與于禁交戰，但久攻不下，于禁成功為曹操爭取時間。後與樂進等領步騎五千擊袁紹別營，降袁紹將領何茂、王摩等二十餘人，又從原武縣去擊破袁紹別營於杜氏津，遷裨將軍。

八月，隨曹操據守官渡與袁紹以土山相對，袁紹令士兵向曹操營地放箭，死傷甚多，士兵懼怕。于禁督守土山，力戰激勵士氣，後袁紹敗，于禁遷偏將軍。

建安七年（202年），作為夏侯惇的副將去攻打劉備，反被劉備用火攻和伏兵之計所敗，所幸被留在後方的李典及時救援，成功撤退。

淚斬舊友 以明軍法

建安十一年（206年），昌豨二度反叛，曹操正屯兵淳于討伐海盜，就派遣于禁征討。于禁與臧霸攻之，不克，曹操再派夏侯淵助陣。最終昌豨承受不住，又與于禁是舊交，便向其投降。諸將皆以為昌豨已降，當讓曹操處置，于禁卻說：「你們難道不知道曹公的命令嗎！在大軍包圍後才投降的人，不能赦免他的罪。遵行和執行法令，是事奉君上的氣節。昌豨雖然是我的舊朋友，但我豈可以因此而失節！」就自行將昌豨隕涕斬殺。曹操聽說後嘆曰：「昌豨不向我投降，而投奔于禁，是命運啊！」而後曹操上表漢獻帝表功于禁，樂進，與張遼三人，于禁因此拜為虎威將軍。

赤壁前夕

207年，從伐烏桓，在白狼山遭遇而戰，曹軍發現烏桓軍無序，曹操立即命令曹純、張遼率兵衝鋒，張遼兵分三路，徐晃、于禁、許褚各領一路。擊敗烏桓。

208年，曹操平定北方後，立即開始在軍事上和政治上準備向南用兵，派遣張遼、于禁、樂進等駐兵許都以南的潁川郡。雖然三人都駐紥在不同的縣內，但彼此不和，曹操於是命趙儼參三軍軍事，事事都有訓喻，令到三人和睦。後于禁與張遼作為督軍趙儼護送的七軍之一參與了赤壁之戰。

遷左將軍 假節鉞

建安十四年（209年），廬江人陳蘭、梅成在灊縣、六縣一帶造反，曹操派遣于禁、臧霸等討伐梅成，而張遼則督張郃、牛蓋等討伐陳蘭。梅成向于禁詐降，于禁便即帶著梅成班師。然而梅成卻乘隙出走，率眾會合陳蘭軍，兩軍更逃進灊山中最險要的天柱山依山防守。張遼與之對峙，期間軍糧供給不足，于禁卻負責補充，從主動轉為被動，而臧霸則負責對抗孫權派來的大將韓當，終讓張遼完成戰果。戰後于禁增加食邑200戶，加上之前的有1200戶之數。

建安廿一年（216年），于禁遷左將軍，假節鉞，分邑五百戶，封一子列侯，是五子良將乃至曹操時期唯一擁有假節鉞的將領。

水淹七軍 率兵投降

建安廿四年（219年），關羽攻樊城，曹操遣于禁救援曹仁，時逢秋季，正巧下著連夜大雨，以致漢水暴漲，水淹七軍皆全沒。于禁和約三萬兵馬登高坡望水，沒有可以迴避的地方，關羽乘船攻打于禁等人，于禁被迫率眾向關羽投降，後被關押在荊州江陵，但唯獨龐德寧死不降而被關羽處斬。據《呂蒙傳》載，關羽由於收留于禁等人，造成軍糧供應出現嚴重短缺，關羽不得已「擅取湘關米」，間接給了孫權討伐的理由。

俘虜之身 晚年受辱

後來關羽被孫權擊破，于禁先前為關羽所擒獲，囚禁在城中，孫權前往將于禁釋放，請與于禁見面。有一天，孫權乘馬外出，引領于禁同行，虞翻呵責于禁說：「你這種降虜，竟敢與我的主公並馬以行嗎！？」欲鞭打于禁，被孫權呵止。後孫權在樓船會群臣共飲，于禁聞樂聲流涕，虞翻又說：「你想以虛情假意來求得脫身嗎？」孫權為于禁感到悵然不平。

後來孫權與魏國議和，孫權想讓于禁北歸，虞翻再進諫說：「于禁敗了國家數萬軍士，身為俘虜，又不能死。魏國軍政練達，于禁之一人，無足輕重，見于禁之還將必疑而疏之。還之對我方雖無損失，有如放過一個盜賊，不如斬了于禁以明令於三軍，彰顯忠義讓為臣者不應有二心。」孫權不聽其言。群臣歡送于禁，虞翻對于禁說：「閣下不要以為東吳沒有人材，只是我的謀略沒被採用罷了。」于禁雖為虞翻所厭惡，還是盛歎虞翻，魏文帝曹丕常為虞翻設虛坐。

北還魏國 慚恚病薨

黃初二年（221年）秋八月，孫權遣于禁回魏國，于禁帶病回魏國之後，卻遭受其他人的嘲笑，當時于禁的鬍鬚和頭髮都雪白了，臉又消瘦憔悴，曹丕表面上對于禁表示安慰，任命他為安遠將軍，又賜他曹操用過的赤紱和遠遊冠，而後曹丕讓于禁先拜謁曹操陵墓後才去遣使孫權，于禁去到高陵，見到的卻是曹丕預先命人畫好的關羽戰克、龐德寧死不屈、自己卻屈膝乞降之狀的壁畫後，終於羞憤病逝，兒子于圭嗣爵益壽亭侯。

諡號是厲侯，厲字帶有災禍的意味。《資治通鑑》主編司馬光認為曹丕既有理由殺他，又有理由治其罪，卻偏偏選擇用畫像侮辱他，批評曹丕此舉不是一個君主應當的行為。

評價

• 陳壽評曰：「太祖建茲武功，而時之良將，五子為先。于禁最號毅重，然弗克其終。」「是時，（于）禁與張遼、樂進、張郃、徐晃俱為名將，太祖每征伐，咸遞行為軍鋒，還為後拒；而禁持軍嚴整，得賊財物，無所私入，由是賞賜特重。然以法御下，不甚得士眾心。」

• 曹操曰：「淯水之難，吾其急也，將軍在亂能整，討暴堅壘，有不可動之節，雖古名將，何以加之！」

• 曹操表樂進、于禁、張遼：「武力既弘，計略周備，質忠性一，守執節義（此句指張遼），每臨戰攻，常為督率，奮強突固，無堅不陷（此句指樂進），自援枹鼓，手不知倦。又遣別征，統御師旅，撫眾則和，奉令無犯，當敵制決，靡有遺失。論功紀用，宜各顯寵。」

　• 其中的「自援枹鼓，手不知倦」指于禁為人儒雅，常讀書，「又遣別征，統御師旅，撫眾則和，奉令無犯」指其執法嚴，親士卒。

• 曹操哀嘆：「吾知（于）禁三十年，何意臨危處難，反不及龐德邪！」

• 蔣濟、司馬懿：「禁等為水所沒，非戰守之所失。」（《晉書·宣帝紀》、《三國志·魏志十四·蔣濟傳》）

• 虞翻曰：「禁敗數萬眾，身為降虜，又不能死。北習軍政，得禁必不如所規。還之雖無所損，猶為放盜，不如斬以令三軍，示為人臣有二心者。」

• 曹丕：

　• 「昔荀林父敗績於邲，孟明喪師於殽，秦、晉不替，使復其位。其後晉獲狄土，秦霸西戎，區區小國，猶尚若斯，而況萬乘乎？樊城之敗，水災暴至，非戰之咎，其復禁等官。」（《制復于禁等官》）；

　• 「昔漢高（劉邦）脫衣以衣韓信，光武（劉秀）解綬以帶李忠，誠皆人主當時貴敬功勞勤心之至也。封賜將軍以魏王時所珮朱韍及遠遊冠。」（《與于禁詔》）

• 裴松之：「圍而後降，法雖不赦；囚而送之，未為違命。禁曾不為舊交希冀萬一，而肆其好殺之心，以戾眾人之議，所以卒為降虜，死加惡謚，宜哉。」

• 陳叔寶：「李陵矢竭，不免請降，于禁水漲，猶且生獲，固知用兵上術，世罕其人。」

• 司馬光：「于禁將數萬眾，敗不能死，生降於敵，既而復歸。文帝廢之可也，殺之可也，乃畫陵屋以辱之，斯為不君矣！」

• 郝經議曰：「張遼、徐晃諸將壯猛有謀，亦關張之亞匹；然失身於操，終為勇而無義。」

• 李贄：「于禁最識大體，只為國家爭勝負，不為一身辨曲直，真良將也。」

• 王歆：「世無百戰百勝將軍，禁逢霖雨，敗于關某，不為恥也。然雖比類荀林父、孟明視，雖敗而國家不替，然未聞其腆顏降敵也。使二子降楚歸晉，吾恐不得死所也。禁為國家宿將，以威懾眾，能治亂伍，亦當時之傑，惜乎為德不終。既為羽禽，複為吳得，送詣文帝，如此輾轉，禁未羞死，獨登高陵而突然慚恚發病乎？文帝所為亦過矣，非帝王之行，亦非君子之行，然大有為王仲宣作驢鳴之味，是名士行，真大快事也。」

藝術形象

後人題詩

《于將軍》—（北宋）孔平仲

長安遣兵百勝強，意氣何有漢中王。

七軍之心俱猛鷙，虎兕插羽將翱翔。

睥睨荊益可席捲，白帝城高如堵牆。

秣馬蓐食朝欲戰，雷聲殷殷山之陽。

沉陰苦雨十餘日，漢水溢出高騰驤。

蒼黃不暇治步伍，攀緣蹙踏半死傷。

計窮豈不欲奔走，四望如海皆茫茫。

鼉鳴魚躍尚恐懼，萬一敵至誰敢當。

遙觀大船載旗鼓，聞說乃是關雲長。

蒙衝直繞長堤下，勁弩強弓無敵者。

'''雖有鐵騎何所施，排空白浪如奔馬。

'''將軍拱手就縶縛，咋舌無聲面深赭。

捷書一日到錦城，隻輪不返皆西行。

將軍疇昔負朋友，若此昌豨猶得生。

循環報復雖天意，壯士所惜惟功名。

曹瞞相知三十年，臨危不及龐明賢。

歸來頭白已顦顇，泣涕頓首尤可憐。

高陵畫像何詭譎，乃令慚痛入九泉。

淯水之師勇冠世，英雄成敗皆偶然。

三國演義

于禁在《演義》中，是弓馬兼備的將軍，大體與史實無差。除了多出奉曹操之命成功追殺劉琮母子，以及在樊城之戰中，被刻畫成怕被邀功的奸臣將領。

• 于禁曾先後與五虎將的張飛和馬超單挑，但都不到十回而敗。

　• 〈第十一回 劉皇叔北海救孔融 呂溫侯濮陽破曹操〉-劉備救援陶謙的時候，于禁大吼一聲「何處狂徒，往那裡去」後與張飛單挑，兩馬相交，戰到數合。劉備掣雙股劍麾兵大進，于禁不敵而敗走。

　• 〈第五十八回 馬孟起興兵雪恨 曹阿瞞割鬚棄袍〉-在潼關之戰中與馬超單挑，打到八九回就被馬超打敗。

• 〈第四十五回 三江口曹操折兵　群英會蔣幹中計〉-赤壁之戰中，曹操中了周瑜的離間計，斬殺水軍都督蔡瑁、張允，後來命于禁和毛玠二人為赤壁之戰的水軍都督。

• 樊城之戰的最後被關羽水淹七軍，于禁乞降，以襯托龐德不降被斬的氣節。及後到〈第七十九回　兄逼弟曹植賦詩　姪陷叔劉封伏法〉，于禁回國後，被曹丕以壁畫諷刺，不堪羞憤而病死。

羅貫中更有詩曰：三十年來說舊交，可憐臨難不忠曹。知人未向心中識，畫虎今從骨裏描。

影視形象

• 1994年電視劇《三國演義》：薛勇、畢力格、齊克建飾演于禁

• 1999年電視劇《曹操》：蔡明飾演于禁

• 2004年電視劇《武聖關公》：張鴻斌飾演于禁

• 2010年電視劇《三國》：吳克剛飾演于禁

• 2013年電視劇《曹操》：吳壕飾演于禁

動漫遊戲

• 真三國無雙系列（光榮公司開發，宮內敦士配音）

• 三國演義

• 《蒼天航路》（王欣太）

• 《火鳳燎原》（陳某）設定於曹操 「奉孝殺戮」時登場。

• 鎮魂街

相關人物

• 鮑信，濟北相。青州黃巾入兗州，殺刺史劉岱，鮑信招募人眾，于禁前往附從。

• 王朗，曹操麾下將軍。在曹魏領兗州時，王朗向曹操推薦于禁，稱讚他有當大將軍之才。

• 朱靈，本為袁紹之將，官渡之戰時，因拒絕曹操命令不肯攻擊舊主袁紹，曹操於是派于禁奪取朱靈兵權。于禁率數十騎兵，帶著敕令奪其兵權。朱靈及其部下都不敢擅動，從此朱靈成為于禁的麾下部將。

• 昌豨，泰山寇。與于禁為故交，在投降曹操後，於官渡之戰時又再次反叛，于禁與臧霸等前往征討，遭到頑強抵抗。曹操再派夏侯淵增援，昌豨前往向故友于禁投降，于禁以曹操軍法「圍而後降者不赦」，含淚斬了昌豨，曹操事後為昌豨的死感到惋惜。

• 虞翻，非常厭惡于禁，認為他敗了數萬魏軍，生為俘虜，又不能死。勸孫權斬了于禁以明令於三軍，彰顯忠義讓為臣者不應有二心。虞翻雖然厭惡于禁，于禁還是盛歎虞翻其人，魏文帝曹丕常為虞翻設虛坐。

注釋

Early career

Yu Jin was born in Juping County, Taishan Commandery (泰山郡), which is in present-day Tai'an, Shandong, in the late Eastern Han dynasty. In the early 180s, when the Yellow Turban Rebellion broke out, Yu Jin responded to the Han government's call for volunteers to serve in the imperial army and help to suppress the revolt. He became a subordinate of the general Bao Xin, who was based in Yan Province (covering present-day southwestern Shandong and eastern Henan).

In 192, after the warlord Cao Cao took charge of Yan Province, Yu Jin and his fellow volunteers were appointed as doubos (都伯; an officer leading 100 men) and placed under the command of Wang Lang. Wang Lang felt that Yu Jin was extraordinary and had the potential to become a great general, so he recommended Yu Jin to Cao Cao. Cao Cao commissioned Yu Jin as a Major after interviewing him, and then sent him to attack Guangwei, a location in Xu Province, which was governed by Tao Qian. Yu Jin successfully conquered Guangwei and was promoted to Commandant Who Breaks Formations (陷陣都尉).

Battles against Lü Bu, Yellow Turban remnants and Yuan Shu

Between 194 and 195, Yu Jin fought on Cao Cao's side in a war against a rival warlord Lü Bu for control over Yan Province. He destroyed two of Lü Bu's camps at the south of the city during a battle in Puyang while his subordinates defeated Gao Ya (高雅), one of Lü Bu's officers, at Xuchang (須昌; northeast of present-day Dongping County, Shandong).

Yu Jin later attacked Lü Bu's strongholds at Shouzhang (壽張; southwest of present-day Dongping County, Shandong), Dingtao (定陶; present-day Dingtao County, Shandong) and Lihu (離狐; southeast of present-day Puyang, Henan) counties, and captured all of them. He also besieged Zhang Chao at Yongqiu (雍丘; present-day Qi County, Henan) and conquered the county.

Around 196, Yu Jin joined Cao Cao in a campaign against remnants of the Yellow Turban rebels led by Liu Pi, Huang Shao and others. They garrisoned at Banliang (版梁). One night, Huang Shao and the rebels attempted to launch a surprise attack on Cao Cao's camp, but were defeated by Yu Jin and his subordinates. Liu Pi, Huang Shao and the rebel leaders were killed and the remaining rebels surrendered. Yu Jin was promoted to Colonel Who Pacifies the Barbarians (平虜校尉).

In 197, Yu Jin besieged Qiao Rui (橋蕤), an officer serving under a rival warlord Yuan Shu, at Ku County (苦縣; present-day Luyi County, Henan) and killed Qiao Rui and four other enemy officers.

Battles against Zhang Xiu, Lü Bu and Sui Gu

In 197, Yu Jin accompanied Cao Cao on a campaign against the warlord Zhang Xiu in Wancheng (宛城; present-day Wancheng District, Nanyang, Henan). Zhang Xiu initially surrendered and pledged allegiance to Cao Cao, but rebelled later and defeated Cao Cao in a surprise attack. There was chaos and disorder in Cao Cao's forces as they retreated to Wuyin County (舞陰縣; southeast of present-day Sheqi County, Henan).

Only Yu Jin led his unit to continue fighting the pursuing enemy while maintaining an orderly retreat to Wuyin County. They managed to stay together even though they had sustained many casualties and losses. When Zhang Xiu's forces slowed down on their pursuit, Yu Jin reorganised his men and led them towards Wuyin County in a dignified manner even though they had lost the battle.

Before reaching Cao Cao's position, Yu Jin encountered about a dozen injured and naked men on the road. When he asked them what happened, they told him that they were robbed by the Qingzhou Corps (青州兵). Yu Jin turned furious and said: "The Qingzhou Corps are part of Lord Cao's army. How dare they become robbers!" He then led his men to attack and punish them. Some of the Qingzhou soldiers escaped to Wuyin County and accused Yu Jin of committing the crimes they were responsible for.

When Yu Jin reached Wuyin County, he immediately set up defensive fortifications around the camp instead of reporting directly to Cao Cao. His subordinates told him: "The Qingzhou soldiers framed you. You should explain matters to Lord Cao as soon as possible." Yu Jin replied: "The enemy is still in pursuit and may reach here anytime. If we don't set up defences now, how can we expect to hold them off? Lord Cao is intelligent and wise. Those accusations aren't a cause for concern."

After the defences were set up, Yu Jin went to meet Cao Cao and explained everything. Cao Cao felt pleased and he said, "How dangerous it was for me when we were defeated at the Yu River. General, you're able to bring order to chaos and hold your ground against a fierce enemy, and you display unwavering loyalty. Even the famous generals of ancient times couldn't have done better than you!" Yu Jin was awarded the title "Marquis of Yishou Village" (益壽亭侯) in recognition of his contributions.

In 198, Yu Jin followed Cao Cao on another campaign against Zhang Xiu at Rang County (穰縣; or Rangcheng 穰城, in present-day Dengzhou, Henan). He also participated in the Battle of Xiapi against Lü Bu, which resulted in Lü Bu's defeat and execution. Later, he joined Shi Huan (史渙) and Cao Ren in defeating Sui Gu (眭固) at Shequan County (射犬縣; present-day Qinyang, Henan).

Guandu campaign

In early 200, when war broke out between Cao Cao and his northern rival Yuan Shao, with the latter initially having the upper hand, Yu Jin volunteered to lead the vanguard to engage Yuan Shao's forces. Cao Cao was impressed with Yu Jin's courage, so he placed Yu Jin in command of 2,000 infantry and cavalry and ordered him to defend Yan Ford (延津; in present-day Yanjin County, Henan) from the enemy, while he personally led another army to Guandu (官渡; northeast of present-day Zhongmu County, Henan).

Around the time, the warlord Liu Bei seized control of Xu Province after killing Che Zhou (車冑), the provincial governor whom Cao Cao had appointed. Cao Cao then led his forces to attack Liu Bei. Yuan Shao concurrently attacked Yan Ford, but Yu Jin managed to hold his position.

Later, Yu Jin and Yue Jin led 5,000 infantry and cavalry to attack Yuan Shao's camps along the Yellow River southwest of Yan Ford. They travelled to as far as Ji (汲; southwest of present-day Weihui, Henan) and Huojia (獲嘉; southeast of present-day Huojia County, Henan) counties. They set fire to over 30 enemy camps, killed or captured thousands of enemy soldiers, and forced over 20 of Yuan Shao's officers, including He Mao (何茂) and Wang Mo (王摩), into surrendering. Cao Cao then ordered Yu Jin to garrison at Yuanwu County (原武縣; present-day Yuanyang County, Henan). Yu Jin attacked and destroyed Yuan Shao's camp at Dushi Ford (杜氏津).

Yu Jin was promoted to Major-General for his achievement and was then relocated to Cao Cao's camp at Guandu. During the Battle of Guandu, Yuan Shao's forces piled up earth to form small hills and constructed platforms on top for their archers, who rained arrows on Cao Cao's camp. Cao Cao's forces sustained many casualties and the soldiers were all fearful. Yu Jin firmly defended his positions, fought bravely, and displayed great fervour. He was promoted to Lieutenant-General after Cao Cao scored a decisive victory over Yuan Shao at Guandu.

Suppressing two rebellions

Cao Cao continued waging wars against Yuan Shao after the Battle of Guandu and against Yuan Shao's heirs and allies after Yuan Shao died in 202. By 206, after he had seized control of Ji Province (covering parts of present-day southern Hebei) from the Yuans, a minor warlord Chang Xi (昌豨) who had initially surrendered to him in early 201 rebelled against him. Cao Cao ordered Yu Jin to lead an army to attack Chang Xi. Chang Xi surrendered to Yu Jin, who was an old friend of his.

When his subordinates suggested that he send Chang Xi as a prisoner-of-war to Cao Cao and let Cao Cao decide Chang Xi's fate, Yu Jin said: "Aren't you all aware of the norms established by Lord Cao? He doesn't spare those who surrender after they are surrounded. I should follow his norms and uphold law and order. Chang Xi may be an old friend of mine, but I won't break the norms because of this!" He personally supervised Chang Xi's execution and shed tears as he gave the order.

When Cao Cao heard about it, he remarked: "Is it Heaven's will that Chang Xi had his fate decided by Yu Jin instead of me?" He regarded Yu Jin more highly than before after this incident. Yu Jin was promoted to General of Tiger's Might for his efforts in pacifying Chang Xi's revolt.

In 209, after the Battle of Red Cliffs, Chen Lan and Mei Cheng (梅成) started a rebellion in Lu County (六縣; present-day Lu'an, Anhui). Cao Cao sent two separate forces to suppress the rebellion: Yu Jin and Zang Ba to attack Mei Cheng; Zhang Liao, with Zhang He and Niu Gai (牛蓋) as his deputies, to attack Chen Lan. Mei Cheng and his followers, who numbered about 3,000, surrendered when Yu Jin and Zang Ba showed up.

However, after Yu Jin and Zang Ba left, Mei Cheng rebelled again and led his men to join Chen Lan. Zhang Liao led his army to attack the rebels, but was running short of supplies, so Yu Jin headed back and oversaw the transporting of supplies to the frontline to support Zhang Liao. Zhang Liao successfully suppressed the revolt and killed the two rebel leaders.

In recognition of his contributions during the campaign, Yu Jin was awarded an additional 200 taxable households in his marquisate, making it 1,200 households in total. Later, he was promoted to General of the Left and granted imperial authority. One of his sons was awarded a marquis title and given 500 households in his marquisate.

Battle of Fancheng

In 219, when Cao Cao was in Chang'an, he gave orders to his general Cao Ren to attack Liu Bei's general Guan Yu at Fancheng (樊城; present-day Fancheng District, Xiangyang, Hubei). He also instructed Yu Jin to lead forces to support Cao Ren.

It was in autumn at the time and there were heavy rains. The Han River overflowed and flooded the neighbouring flat lands. The water level reached as high as several zhang. Yu Jin's seven armies were destroyed in the flood, while Yu Jin himself and his remaining men managed to escape to high ground and were trapped there.

Guan Yu led naval troops to attack Yu Jin. Yu Jin surrendered to Guan Yu, but his subordinate Pang De put up fierce resistance and ended up being captured and executed by Guan Yu when he refused to surrender.

When Cao Cao received news of Yu Jin's surrender, he mourned Pang De's death for a long time and said, "I've known Yu Jin for 30 years, yet the behaviour he displayed in the face of danger was no better than that displayed by Pang De!"

Later life and death

Yu Jin remained as a prisoner-of-war in Guan Yu's base in Jing Province until late 219, when Liu Bei's territories in the province were captured by Sun Quan's general Lü Meng in a stealth invasion. Guan Yu was captured and executed by Sun Quan's forces. Yu Jin was released and brought to Wu (Sun Quan's domain), where he was treated like a guest. However, he was also ridiculed and humiliated by Yu Fan, an official serving under Sun Quan.

Cao Cao died in March 220 and was succeeded by his son Cao Pi. Later that year, Cao Pi ended the Eastern Han dynasty and established the state of Cao Wei with him as its first emperor. Sun Quan pledged allegiance to Cao Pi in 221 and sent Yu Jin back to Wei in autumn.

By then, Yu Jin was a pallid-looking old man with a head full of grey hair. He knelt down, kowtowed and cried when he met Cao Pi. Cao Pi comforted him, told him about Xun Linfu and Mengmingshi, and then commissioned him as General Who Stabilises Distant Lands.

Cao Pi wanted to send Yu Jin as his personal representative to meet Sun Quan. Before Yu Jin left, Cao Pi ordered him to visit Cao Cao's tomb at Gaoling (高陵) in Ye (in present-day Handan, Hebei). There, Yu Jin saw illustrations of the Battle of Fancheng, in which he was depicted surrendering to Guan Yu, while Pang De was portrayed in a ferocious and courageous manner. He was so filled with regret that he fell ill, and then died. Cao Pi granted him the posthumous title "Marquis Li", which literally means "severe marquis".

Family

Yu Jin's son, Yu Gui (于圭), inherited his father's title "Marquis of Yishou Village" (益壽亭侯). Yu Jin probably had at least one other son, who received a marquis title and 500 households in his marquisate.

Appraisal

Chen Shou, who wrote Yu Jin's biography in the Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi), named Yu one of the Five Elite Generals of his time, alongside Zhang Liao, Yue Jin, Zhang He and Xu Huang. He mentioned that when Cao Cao went to war, these five generals were usually in command of either the vanguard (when making offensives) or the rear guard (when retreating). Yu Jin was known for maintaining high standards of discipline in his unit and for never keeping the spoils of war for himself. As such, he was often awarded a large share of rewards after battles. However, he was very unpopular with his men because he was harsh and unforgiving in enforcing rules and regulations.

Cao Cao disliked Zhu Ling, one of his generals, and had the intention of removing him from his position. He knew that Yu Jin had an intimidating presence so he ordered Yu Jin to take control of Zhu Ling's unit. Zhu Ling and his men did not dare to move when Yu Jin showed up at their camp and took over Zhu Ling's command. Zhu Ling then became Yu Jin's subordinate and all his men obediently submitted to Yu Jin's command. Such was Yu Jin's ability to strike fear into the hearts of others.

Pei Songzhi, who annotated Yu Jin's biography in the Sanguozhi, commented that even though Yu Jin followed the book when he executed Chang Xi (who surrendered after being surrounded), he had another option – send Chang Xi as a prisoner-of-war to Cao Cao and let his lord decide Chang Xi's fate – that was still not considered a violation of the norms. Pei Songzhi felt that Yu Jin deserved his eventual fate – ending up as a prisoner-of-war and receiving a negative-sounding posthumous title ("severe marquis") after death – because he was unwilling to make an exception for an old friend, was inclined towards killing, and was harsh in suppressing dissent.

The Song dynasty poet Kong Pingzhong (孔平仲; 11th–12 centuries) wrote a poem "General Yu" describing Yu Jin's life: