| NAME | |
|---|---|
| Chinese Name | 尹礼, 尹禮, Yǐn Lǐ |
| Nickname | Lu'er (Black Boy) |
| Other name | Doãn Lễ |
| INFORMATION | |
| Birth Place | Taishan Commandery, Yan Province (兖州泰山郡; quận Thái Sơn, Diễn Châu) |
| Died | 222 |
| Death Reason | Killed in action at Dongkou (洞口; Động Khẩu) fighting against Quan Cong (全琮, Toàn Tông) of Eastern Wu (东吴, Đông Ngô) (222 AD) |
| CAREER | |
| Allegiance | Lu Bu's Forces, Wei |
| Battles | Xiapi, Dongkou |
Here is the exhaustive biography, ancestral background, historical records, and Romance of the Three Kingdoms narrative for Yin Li (尹禮) (d. 222 AD), also known as Yin Lu’er (meaning “black boy”), a prominent bandit leader from Taishan Commandery who later became a military officer serving under Lu Bu before surrendering to Cao Cao and serving the Wei state.
Bandit Origins in Taishan & Defection to Lu Bu
Yin Li originally operated as a mountain bandit based in Kaiyang County, Taishan Commandery, alongside fellow bandit leaders such as Zang Ba, Sun Guan, and Wu Dun. In 190 AD, they formed a powerful coalition of mountain bandits controlling the region. When the warlord Lu Bu seized Xu Province in 196 AD, Zang Ba and his confederates attempted to raid local settlements. Lu Bu dispatched Gao Shun to suppress them, but Yin Li and his allies successfully repelled Gao Shun. Opting for a pragmatic alliance rather than mutual destruction, they negotiated a truce and formally joined Lu Bu’s forces as military officers.
Submission to Cao Cao & Death at Dongkou
Following the downfall and execution of Lu Bu at Xiapi in 198 AD at the hands of Cao Cao and Liu Bei, Yin Li surrendered alongside Zang Ba to Cao Cao. Recognizing their military utility and local influence, Cao Cao incorporated them into the Wei military structure, separating their commands to ensure allegiance. Yin Li was subsequently appointed as the Administrator of Dongguan Commandery. He remained steadfastly loyal to the Cao family well into the reign of Cao Pi. In 222 AD, during Cao Pi’s military campaign against Eastern Wu, Yin Li participated in the invasion at Dongkou. He was killed in action during the campaign while fighting against the Wu commander Quan Cong.
Yin Li (尹禮) — Historical & Literary Timeline
Taishan Bandit Coalition
Operates as a mountain bandit leader in Kaiyang County, Taishan Commandery, alongside Zang Ba, Sun Guan, and Wu Dun.
Defeat by Xu Chu & Surrender to Cao Cao
Fights in Chapter 19 alongside fellow Taishan bandits to block Cao Cao’s forces at Xiapi, but is scattered by Xu Chu. Subsequently surrenders to Cao Cao following Lu Bu’s defeat.
Campaign at Dongkou & Death in Battle
Participates in Cao Pi’s southern campaign against Eastern Wu and is killed in action at Dongkou fighting against Wu general Quan Cong.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms Narrative
In Luo Guanzhong’s historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Yin Li appears in Chapters 18 and 19 as one of the prominent Taishan Mountain bandit leaders recruited by Lu Bu. He commands a 30,000-strong spear formation at Xiapi that is effortlessly shattered by Cao Cao’s fierce warrior Xu Chu before ultimately submitting to Cao Cao under Zhang Liao’s persuasion.
For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Yin Li on Wikipedia.
Key Relationships
Family
- No information
Friends
- Zang Ba (臧霸, Tang Bá): A fellow Taishan bandit leader and key ally with whom Yin Li operated in the Taishan coalition and later served under both Lu Bu and Cao Cao.
- Sun Guan (孙观, Tôn Quan): A fellow bandit leader from Taishan who acted as a comrade-in-arms during their time as independent warlords and subsequent service to the Wei state.
- Wu Dun (吴敦, Ngô Đôn): A fellow Taishan bandit leader who collaborated with Yin Li in their regional operations and military service.
Enemies
- Xu Chu (许褚, Hứa Chử): A fierce warrior under Cao Cao who defeated and scattered Yin Li’s forces during the campaign against Lu Bu at Xiapi in 198 AD.
- Quan Cong (全琮, Toàn Tông): An Eastern Wu general who defeated and killed Yin Li in action during the Battle of Dongkou in 222 AD.
- Gao Shun (高顺, Cao Thuận): A general under Lu Bu who initially engaged in military conflict against the Taishan bandits before a truce was negotiated.
Other
- Lu Bu (吕布, Lữ Bố): The warlord who incorporated Yin Li and his fellow Taishan bandits into his military structure following their initial skirmishes in 196 AD.
- Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo): The founder of the Wei state who accepted Yin Li’s surrender after the fall of Lu Bu and appointed him as the Administrator of Dongguan Commandery.
- Zhang Liao (张辽, Trương Liêu): A Wei general credited in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms with persuading the Taishan commanders to defect and pledge their loyalty to Cao Cao.
- Cao Pi (曹丕, Tào Phi): The Emperor of Wei under whom Yin Li served until his death during the southern campaign in 222 AD.
In Novel
Chapter 19
- Yin Li (尹礼, Doãn Lễ): Bandit leader of Mount Tai who allied with Tang Ba (臧霸, Tang Bá) and submitted to Lü Bu (吕布, Lã Bố) at Xiapi; following Lü Bu's execution, Yin Li surrendered to Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo) and was appointed Administrator of Dongping.
Chapter 85
In History
Summary
- Yin Li (尹礼, Doãn Lễ) was a local military leader in the eastern region who later served Cao Cao (曹操, Tào Tháo). He was associated with the Taishan group that came under Cao Cao's authority.
Year: 198 AD
- Yin Li (尹礼, Doãn Lễ) was among the local commanders who followed Lü Bu (吕布, Lữ Bố) before Lü Bu's defeat. After Cao Cao defeated Lü Bu, Yin Li submitted to Cao Cao.
Historical Record
- Yin Li (尹礼, Doãn Lễ) was a real historical military leader. His name appears among the Taishan commanders associated with Zang Ba (臧霸, Tang Bá).
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