Yu Jin (died between September 221 and January 222Vol.69 of Zizhi Tongjian indicated that Yu Jin died soon after his return to Wei in the 8th month of the 2nd year of Cao Pi's reign, which corresponds to 5 Sep to 3 Oct 221 in the Julian calendar; the year ends on 29 Jan 222.), courtesy name Wenze, was a Chinese general who served under the warlord Cao Cao during the end of the Han dynasty. He joined Cao Cao in 192 around the start of the civil wars leading to the collapse of the eastern Han dynasty, and fought in many of the campaigns which established his position as a central figure in the period. 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. 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.
Sun Quan treated Yu Jin like a guest and in 221 sent him back to the state of Cao Wei, which was founded in late 220 by Cao Cao's successor, Cao Pi, who ended the Eastern Han dynasty. Cao Pi pardoned Yu Jin and restored him to the position of a general. 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. Chen Shou, who wrote the third-century historical text Sanguozhi, named Yu Jin as one of the Five Elite Generals of his time, alongside Zhang He, Yue Jin, Zhang Liao and Xu Huang.(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。張郃以巧變為稱，樂進以驍果顯名，而鑒其行事，未副所聞。或注記有遺漏，未如張遼、徐晃之備詳也。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
Early career Yu Jin was born in Juping County (), Taishan Commandery (), which is in present-day Tai'an, Shandong,(于禁字文則，泰山鉅平人也。) Sanguozhi vol. 17. 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,(黃巾起，鮑信招合徒衆，禁附從焉。) Sanguozhi vol. 17. 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.(及太祖領兖州，禁與其黨俱詣為都伯，屬將軍王朗。朗異之，薦禁才任大將軍。) Sanguozhi vol. 17. 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 ().(太祖召見與語，拜軍司馬，使將兵詣徐州，攻廣威，拔之，拜陷陣都尉。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
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 (), one of Lü Bu's officers, at Xuchang (須昌; northeast of present-day Dongping County, Shandong).(從討呂布於濮陽，別破布二營於城南，又別將破高雅於須昌。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
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.(從攻壽張、定陶、離狐，圍張超於雍丘，皆拔之。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
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 (). 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 ().(從征黃巾劉辟、黃邵等，屯版梁，邵等夜襲太祖營，禁帥麾下擊破之，斬辟、邵等，盡降其衆。遷平虜校尉。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
In 197, Yu Jin besieged Qiao Rui (), 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.(從圍橋蕤於苦，斬蕤等四將。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
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).(從至宛，降張繡。繡復叛，太祖與戰不利，軍敗，還舞陰。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
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.(是時軍亂，各間行求太祖，禁獨勒所將數百人，且戰且引，雖有死傷不相離。虜追稍緩，禁徐整行隊，鳴鼓而還。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
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 ().(未至太祖所，道見十餘人被創裸走，禁問其故，曰：「為青州兵所劫。」) Sanguozhi vol. 17. 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.(禁怒，令其衆曰：「青州兵同屬曹公，而還為賊乎！」乃討之，數之以罪。青州兵遽走詣太祖自訴。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
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."(禁旣至，先立營壘，不時謁太祖。或謂禁：「青州兵已訴君矣，宜促詣公辨之。」) Sanguozhi vol. 17. 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."(禁曰：「今賊在後，追至無時，不先為備，何以待敵？且公聦明，譖訴何緣！」) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
After the defences were set up, Yu Jin went to meet Cao Cao and explained everything.(徐鑿塹安營訖，乃入謁，具陳其狀。) Sanguozhi vol. 17. 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!"(太祖恱，謂禁曰：「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！」) Sanguozhi vol. 17. Yu Jin was awarded the title "Marquis of Yishou Village" () in recognition of his contributions.(於是錄禁前後功，封益壽亭侯。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
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 () and Cao Ren in defeating Sui Gu () at Shequan County (射犬縣; present-day Qinyang, Henan).(復從攻張繡於穰，禽呂布於下邳，別與史渙、曹仁攻眭固於射犬，破斬之。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
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.(太祖初征袁紹，紹兵盛，禁願為先登。) Sanguozhi vol. 17. 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).(太祖壯之，乃選步騎二千人，使禁將，守延津以拒紹，太祖引軍還官渡。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
Around the time, the warlord Liu Bei seized control of Xu Province after killing Che Zhou (), the provincial governor whom Cao Cao had appointed. Cao Cao then led his forces to attack Liu Bei.(劉備以徐州叛，太祖東征之。) Sanguozhi vol. 17. Yuan Shao concurrently attacked Yan Ford, but Yu Jin managed to hold his position.(紹攻禁，禁堅守，紹不能拔。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
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 () and Wang Mo (), 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 ().(復與樂進等將步騎五千，擊紹別營，從延津西南緣河至汲、獲嘉二縣，焚燒保聚三十餘屯，斬首獲生各數千，降紹將何茂、王摩等二十餘人。太祖復使禁別將屯原武，擊紹別營於杜氏津，破之。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
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.(遷裨將軍，後從還官渡。太祖與紹連營，起土山相對。紹射營中，士卒多死傷，軍中懼。禁督守土山，力戰，氣益奮。紹破，遷偏將軍。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
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 () 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.(兾州平。昌豨復叛，遣禁征之。禁急進攻豨；豨與禁有舊，詣禁降。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
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!"(諸將皆以為豨已降，當送詣太祖，禁曰：「諸君不知公常令乎！圍而後降者不赦。夫奉法行令，事上之節也。豨雖舊友，禁可失節乎！」) Sanguozhi vol. 17. He personally supervised Chang Xi's execution and shed tears as he gave the order.(自臨與豨決，隕涕而斬之。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.
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.(是時太祖軍淳于，聞而歎曰：「豨降不詣吾而歸禁，豈非命耶！」益重禁。東海平，拜禁虎威將軍。) Sanguozhi vol. 17.