Global InformationCheng Yu information
Cheng Yu | |
|---|---|
| 程昱 | |
| Minister of the Guards (衛尉) (in Cao Cao's vassal kingdom) | |
| In office 213–220 | |
| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han |
| Chancellor | Cao Cao |
| General Who Uplifts Military Might (奮武將軍) | |
| In office 203–213 | |
| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han |
| Chancellor | Cao Cao (from 208 onwards) |
| General Who Inspires Might (振威將軍) | |
| In office 200–203 | |
| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han |
| Administrator of Jiyin (濟陰太守) | |
| In office 196–200 | |
| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han |
| Chancellor of Dongping (東平相) | |
| In office 194–196 | |
| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han |
| Prefect of Shouzhang (壽張令) | |
| In office 192–194 | |
| Monarch | Emperor Xian of Han |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 141[a] Dong'e County, Shandong |
| Died | December 220 (aged 79)[a] |
| Children |
|
| Occupation | Politician |
| Courtesy name | Zhongde (仲徳) |
| Posthumous name | Marquis Su (肅侯) |
| Peerage | Marquis of An District (安鄉侯) |
| Other name | Cheng Li (程立) |
Cheng Yu (141 – December 220),[a] originally named Cheng Li, courtesy name Zhongde, was a Chinese politician who lived during the late Eastern Han dynasty of China.[3] He was an adviser to Cao Cao, the warlord who became the de facto head of the Han central government during that period. He died in December 220 – soon after Cao Cao's son, Cao Pi, usurped the throne from Emperor Xian (the last Han emperor) and established the state of Cao Wei, an event marking the start of the Three Kingdoms period in China. Cheng Yu was described as a tall man (approximately 1.91 metres) with a beautiful long beard.[4] He was from Dong'e County in present-day Shandong. He is often remembered for a possibly fictional event, where he uses sadistic and unusual tactics to cope with a shortage of grain. Instead of sending hostages to Cao Cao's rival, Yuan Shao, in exchange for food supplies, he advised Cao Cao to feed his army with human flesh.[5] He was also noted for his expertise in military tactics, which helped Cao Cao defeat Yuan Shao at the Battle of Guandu in 200 and consolidate control over northern China. It is widely agreed that his numerous contributions laid the foundation of the Cao Wei state; it is theorized that the reason he was not made one of the Three Ducal Ministers[6] when Cao Pi became emperor in late 220 was only because of his aforementioned strategy to cope with the food shortage in Yan Province. After Cheng Yu's death, Cao Pi honoured him with the posthumous title "Marquis Su", meaning "solemn marquis".[7]
- ^ (文帝踐阼， ... 方欲以為公，會薨， ...) Sanguozhi vol. 14.
- ^ (魏書曰：昱時年八十。) Wei Shu annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 14.
- ^ de Crespigny (2007), p. 92.
- ^ (長八尺三寸，美須髯。) Sanguozhi vol. 14.
- ^ (世语曰：初，太祖乏食，昱略其本县，供三日粮，颇杂以人脯，由是失朝望，故位不至公。) Wei Jin Shiyu annotation in Sanguozhi vol. 14.
- ^ Throughout Cao Wei's existence, dukedoms were only handed out to kinsmen of the Cao clan until Sima Zhao was made Duke of Jin in December 263. Thus, the gong (公) mentioned at the end of Cheng Yu's biography in Sanguozhi more likely refers to making him one of the Three Ducal Ministers.
- ^ (剛德克就曰肅。執心決斷曰肅) A hardhearted or determined person might receive the posthumous title of "Su". Cheng Yu qualified for both criteria. See the Lost Book of Zhou for the rules on assigning a posthumous name in ancient China.
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