Du Yu

Du Yu
Du Yu
Traditional Chinese 杜預
Simplified Chinese 杜预
This is a Chinese name; the family name is Du.

Du Yu (222–285), style name Yuankai (元凱), was a military general of Cao Wei during the late Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He served the Jin Dynasty after the end of the Three Kingdoms period. Also a prolific author, it is said that Du Yu read the Zuozhuan so often that he was addicted to the book. Du Yu was one of the most important commanders under Zhong Hui during the conquest of the rival state of Shu Han, and he also followed in leading an army in the conquest of Eastern Wu as guardian of the south. Du Yu managed to lay waste to the Eastern Wu army with great force in not the greatest of length of time, and received the surrender of Eastern Wu's last ruler Sun Hao.

Du Yu was a brother-in-law of the Wei regent Sima Zhao, whose son Sima Yan later became the founding emperor of the Jin Dynasty. Du Yu married Sima Zhao's younger sister Princess Gaolu (高陆) after returning from the conquest of Shu. Du Yu was also the ancestor of the Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu.

Appointments and titles held

  • Gentleman in the Imperial Secretariat (尚書郎)
  • Marquis of Fengle (豐樂亭侯) - inherited by Du Yu from his father Du Shu
  • Army Advisor (參軍)
  • Chief Clerk (長史) to General Who Guards the West Zhong Hui
  • Military Judge Who Pacifies the West (安西軍司)
  • Inspector of Qinzhou (秦州刺史)
  • Eastern Qiang Colonel (東羌校尉)
  • General of Light Chariots (輕車將軍)
  • Senior General Who Guards the South (鎮南大將軍)
  • Director of Retainers (司隸校尉)
  • Tejin (特進)
The following two titles were granted to Du Yu posthumously
  • Senior General Who Attacks the South (征南大將軍)
  • Marquis Cheng (成侯)

See also

  • List of people of the Three Kingdoms


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