Tian Yu (171 – 252), courtesy name Guorang, was a military general of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of China.
Life Tian Yu was from Yongnu County (), Yuyang Commandery (), which is present-day Wuqing District, Tianjin.(田豫字国让，渔阳雍奴人也。) Sanguozhi vol. 26. During Liu Bei's stay with Gongsun Zan, the young Tian Yu placed himself under Liu Bei's foster care, and Liu Bei was greatly impressed by Tian Yu.(刘备之奔公孙瓚也，豫时年少，自讬於备，备甚奇之。) Sanguozhi vol. 26. When Liu Bei was Inspector of Yu Province, Tian Yu left to care for his ageing mother; Liu Bei tearfully expressed his regret at not being able to work with Tian Yu.(备为豫州刺史，豫以母老求归，备涕泣与别，曰：“恨不与君共成大事也。”) Sanguozhi vol. 26.
Later Tian Yu served under Gongsun Zan as the Prefect of Dongzhou County (). One of Gongsun Zan's generals, Wang Men (), betrayed Gongsun Zan and joined Yuan Shao, and lead an attack on his former master with more than 10,000 troops.(公孙瓚使豫守东州令，瓚将王门叛瓚，为袁绍将万馀人来攻。) Sanguozhi vol. 26. Tian Yu personally visited Wang Men and managed to shame the latter into retreating.(豫登城谓门曰：“卿为公孙所厚而去，意有所不得已也；今还作贼，乃知卿乱人耳。夫挈瓶之智，守不假器，吾既受之矣；何不急攻乎？”门惭而退。) Sanguozhi vol. 26. Although Gongsun Zan knew of Tian Yu's intellect, he could not appoint important roles for Tian Yu.(瓚虽知豫有权谋而不能任也。) Sanguozhi vol. 26. After Gongsun Zan's defeat, Tian Yu's friend Xianyu Fu hired him as an adjutant.(瓚败而鲜于辅为国人所推，行太守事，素善豫，以为长史。) Sanguozhi vol. 26. He recommended that Xianyu Fu join Cao Cao,(豫谓辅曰：“终能定天下者，必曹氏也。宜速归命，无后祸期。) Sanguozhi vol. 26. who subsequently hired Tian Yu as well in various official positions.(太祖召豫为丞相军谋掾，除颍阴、朗陵令，迁弋阳太守，所在有治。) Sanguozhi vol. 26. Service under Cao Pi After Cao Cao's son Cao Pi deposed Emperor Xian of Han in November 220 and crowned himself emperor in December that year, Tian Yu continued to serve Cao Wei. Service under Cao Rui Tian Yu was appointed Colonel Who Protects the Wuhuan early in Cao Pi's reign and he served in the position for about nine years with distinction. However, cronies of the Inspector of You Prefecture Wang Xiong (王雄; grandfather of Wang Rong and Wang Yan) wanted Wang to have the position. Thus, they slandered Tian Yu as causing disruption at the border and creating trouble for the state. Tian Yu was then appointed Administrator of Ru'nan and General Who Eliminates the Yi.(文帝初，北狄彊盛，侵扰边塞，乃使豫持节护乌丸校尉，....。为校尉九年，其御夷狄，恒摧抑兼并，乖散彊猾。凡逋亡奸宄，为胡作计不利官者，豫皆构刺搅离，使凶邪之谋不遂，聚居之类不安。事业未究，而幽州刺史王雄支党欲令雄领乌丸校尉，毁豫乱边，为国生事。遂转豫为汝南太守，加殄夷将军。) Sanguozhi, vol.26
In 232, Sun Quan sent Zhou He (周贺) and Pei Qian (裴潜; not the same person as Pei Xiu's father) to buy horses from Gongsun Yuan. Zhou He and co. were later ambushed and killed by Tian Yu at Chengshan (成山).(公孙渊阴怀贰心，数与吴通。帝使汝南太守田豫督青州诸军自海道，....豫以吴使周贺等垂还，岁晚风急，必畏漂浪，东道无岸，当赴成山，成山无藏船之处，遂辄以兵屯据成山。贺等还至成山，遇风，豫勒兵击贺等，斩之。) Zizhi Tongjian, vol.72
Towards the end of the Jingchu era (237 - 239), Tian Yu's fiefdom was increased by 300 households, to a total of 500 households.(景初末，增邑三百，并前五百户。) Sanguozhi, vol.26
Service under Cao Fang In the early part of the Zhengshi era (240-249) of Cao Fang's reign, Tian Yu was made General of the Household Who Protects the Xiongnu, General Who Inspires Might and Inspector of Bing Province. During his tenure, foreign minorities were in awe of him and one by one, they brought tribute. The border regions became peaceful and quiet, and this was cherished by the residents. Later, he was also appointed Minister of the Guards. By then in his 70s, Tian Yu frequently requested to resign his positions; the Grand Tutor Sima Yi thought that Tian was still fit enough to carry out his duties and so rejected his requests. As a reply, Tian Yu wrote, "To be occupying positions above the age of 70 is like continuing to travel at night even after bells had been rung and the water clocks had run out; it is a crime." Tian then insisted that he was gravelly ill. As such, he was appointed Palace Counsellor, and continued to draw a salary.
Tian Yu died at the age of 82 (by East Asian reckoning) in the 240s or early 250s, and his peerage was inherited by his son Tian Pengzu.(正始初，迁使持节护匈奴中郎将，加振威将军，领并州刺史。外胡闻其威名，相率来献。州界宁肃，百姓怀之。征为卫尉。屡乞逊位，太傅司马宣王以为豫克壮，书喻未听。豫书荅曰：“年过七十而以居位，譬犹锺鸣漏尽而夜行不休，是罪人也。”遂固称疾笃。拜太中大夫，食卿禄。年八十二薨。子彭祖嗣。) Sanguozhi, vol.26. In his letter to Sima Yi, Tian Yu was alluding to the curfew imposed in Chinese cities during ancient times.
See also Lists of people of the Three Kingdoms
Notes
References
Chen, Shou (3rd century). Records of Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi). Pei, Songzhi (5th century). Annotated Records of the Three Kingdoms (Sanguozhi zhu).