1. Yu Jin joined Cao Cao in 192 around the start of the civil wars leading to the collapse of the dynasty, and fought in many of the campaigns which established the warlord's position as a central figure in that period.
42 Facts About Yu Jin
1. 2.
In 219, Yu Jin was tasked with leading forces to relieve Cao Cao's general Cao Ren, who was being besieged in Fancheng by Liu Bei's general Guan Yu, but his armies were destroyed in a flood due to heavy rains.
3.
Yu Jin surrendered to Guan Yu and became a prisoner-of-war, but was transferred to the custody of another warlord, Sun Quan, after Sun Quan's forces captured Guan Yu's bases in late 219.
4.
Cao Pi pardoned Yu Jin and restored him to the position of a general.
5.
However, Yu Jin died later that year in regret after visiting Cao Cao's tomb, where he saw illustrations of the Battle of Fancheng depicting his surrender to Guan Yu.
6.
Yu Jin was born in Juping County, Taishan Commandery, which is in present-day Tai'an, Shandong, in the late Eastern Han dynasty.
7.
Yu Jin became a subordinate of the general Bao Xin, who was based in Yan Province.
8.
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.
9.
Yu Jin successfully conquered Guangwei and was promoted to Commandant Who Breaks Formations.
10.
Between 194 and 195, Yu Jin fought on Cao Cao's side in a war against a rival warlord Lu Bu for control over Yan Province.
11.
Yu Jin destroyed two of Lu Bu's camps at the south of the city during a battle in Puyang while his subordinates defeated Gao Ya, one of Lu Bu's officers, at Xuchang.
12.
Yu Jin later attacked Lu Bu's strongholds at Shouzhang, Dingtao and Lihu counties, and captured all of them.
13.
Yu Jin besieged Zhang Chao at Yongqiu and conquered the county.
14.
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.
15.
Yu Jin was promoted to Colonel Who Pacifies the Barbarians.
16.
In 197, Yu Jin besieged Qiao Rui, an officer serving under a rival warlord Yuan Shu, at Ku County and killed Qiao Rui and four other enemy officers.
17.
In 197, Yu Jin accompanied Cao Cao on a campaign against the warlord Zhang Xiu in Wancheng.
18.
Only Yu Jin led his unit to continue fighting the pursuing enemy while maintaining an orderly retreat to Wuyin County.
19.
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.
20.
Some Qingzhou soldiers escaped to Wuyin County and accused Yu Jin of committing the crimes they were responsible for.
21.
When Yu Jin reached Wuyin County, he immediately set up defensive fortifications around the camp instead of reporting directly to Cao Cao.
22.
In 198, Yu Jin followed Cao Cao on another campaign against Zhang Xiu at Rang County.
23.
Yu Jin participated in the Battle of Xiapi against Lu Bu, which resulted in Lu Bu's defeat and execution.
24.
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.
25.
Yuan Shao concurrently attacked Yan Ford, but Yu Jin managed to hold his position.
26.
Yu Jin attacked and destroyed Yuan Shao's camp at Dushi Ford.
27.
Yu Jin was promoted to Major-General for his achievement and was then relocated to Cao Cao's camp at Guandu.
28.
Yu Jin firmly defended his positions, fought bravely, and displayed great fervour.
29.
Yu Jin was promoted to Lieutenant-General after Cao Cao scored a decisive victory over Yuan Shao at Guandu.
30.
Chang Xi surrendered to Yu Jin, who was an old friend of his.
31.
Yu Jin was promoted to General of Tiger's Might for his efforts in pacifying Chang Xi's revolt.
32.
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.
33.
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.
34.
Yu Jin instructed Yu Jin to lead forces to support Cao Ren.
35.
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 Lu Meng in a stealth invasion.
36.
Yu Jin was released and brought to Wu, where he was treated like a guest.
37.
Yu Jin knelt down, kowtowed and cried when he met Cao Pi.
38.
Yu Jin was so filled with regret that he fell ill, and then died.
39.
Yu Jin probably had at least one other son, who received a marquis title and 500 households in his marquisate.
40.
Yu Jin mentioned that when Cao Cao went to war, these five generals were usually in command of either the vanguard or the rear guard.
41.
Yu Jin was known for maintaining high standards of discipline in his unit and for never keeping the spoils of war for himself.
42.
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.