Yu Lidi

Wuniuyu was the progenitor of the prominent Yu clan of Henan (河南于氏). He was also known for his unique title of "Black Lance General" (黑槊將軍), which initially given to him by the Eastern Jin commander, Liu Yu and later recognized by Emperor Mingyuan.

Service under Emperor Daowu Wuniuyu Lidi was a native of the Tuoba-Xianbei state of Dai. He was learned in martial arts from a young age, and was described as possessing extraordinary strength and talent, being able use either one of his hands to fire a bow while on horseback. During the Dengguo era (386–396), he was first appointed as a Champion General and was granted the fiefly title of Viscount of Xin'an. In 396, Tuoba Gui (Emperor Daowu of Northern Wei), intending to attack the Later Yan emperor, Murong Bao at Zhongshan (中山, in modern Baoding, Hebei), ordered Wuniuyu and Gongsun Lan (公孫蘭) to lead 20,000 troops to open up and repair the plank road previously built by the famed, Western Han general, Han Xin at Taiyuan. When Tuoba later arrived with his forces, he was pleased by the work they had done, so he rewarded Wuniuyu with a famous steed.

In 398, after driving the Later Yan out of the Central Plains, Tuoba Gui held a celebratory feast for his ministers. During the feast, he praised Wuniuyu by saying, "You are both my Ying Bu and Peng Yue," before rewarding him a large amount of gold and silk and elevating his title to the Duke of Xin'an. Not long after, Wuniuyu followed Tuoba Gui on a hunting trip at Mount Baideng. The story goes that their party saw a bear with several cubs. Tuoba turned to him and remarked, "With your courage and skills, why don't you go fight them?" Wuniuyu replied, "Of all things under Heaven, humanity is the most precious. If I were to fight and lose, wouldn't that be a waste of a valiant warrior? Anyhow, I shall subdue and bring them before Your Majesty's seat." He then captured the bears, and Tuoba apologized to him.

When Emperor Mingyuan arrived at Mengjin for his southward march, he asked Wuniuyu, "Will it be possible to ford the Yellow River?" Wuniuyu replied, "I recall that Du Yu once built a bridge." He then had his men arrange his ships and link them together, forming a pontoon bridge at Yeban (冶坂; southwest of present-day Mengzhou, Henan). After the army crossed the Yellow River, Emperor Mingyuan praised him highly.

Service under Emperor Taiwu In 426, during the reign of Emperor Taiwu, the Northern Wei carried out a large-scale invasion of the Helian Xia. Wuniuyu Lidi and Pu Ji were tasked with attacking the city of Shancheng (陝城, in modern Sanmenxia, Henan). The Xia Administrator of Hongnong, Cao Da (曹達) fled Shancheng without a fight, so Wuniuyu and Pu Ji capitalized by rapidly advancing all the way to the Sanfu region (三輔; around present-day Xi'an, Shaanxi). For his merits, Wuniuyu was granted the title of General Who Stabilises the South, and his peerage was promoted to Duke of Xincheng.

After the fall of the Xia capital, Tongwan in 428, Wuniuyu was further promoted to Garrison Commander of Puban. At the time, revolts broke out in the commanderies of Hongnong, Henan and Shangdang, so Wuniuyu led his army and quelled them. He was then transferred to Garrison Commander of Hulao and given the title of General of the Henan Army. Soon, he was promoted to Chief Controller military affairs in the two provinces of Yan and Xiang, General Who Guards the South and Commander of Fangtou. He also served as a high-ranking official in the outer capital, earning great prestige for his fair judgments and sentencing.

Wuniuyu died in an unknown year at the age of 75. He was bestowed a coffin, a set of court robes, and a set of noble outer garments. Emperor Taiwu deeply mourned his death and posthumously granted him the title of Grand Commandant.