Zhou Yu (Renming)

Zhou Yu (Wade-Giles: Chou Yu), style name Renming (Wade-Giles: Jen-ming; ), was an official during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was a native of Kuaiji, and a younger brother of Zhou Ang and Zhou Xin.

When Cao Cao was rallying troops to join the campaign against Dong Zhuo in 189, Zhou Yu raised 2000 men to go to him and became Cao Cao's advisor. He later transferred to Yuan Shao's camp and was named the Inspector of Yu Province (豫州).

In the Battle of Yangcheng in 191, caused by a feud between the cousins Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, Zhou Yu was commanded by Yuan Shao to attack Yuan Shu's general Sun Jian in Yangcheng. In the beginning, Zhou had the upper hand, routing Sun Jian, but Sun Jian counterattacked and defeated Zhou Yu. This venture is often mistakenly ascribed to Zhou Ang instead.

In the next year, Zhou Yu went to aid his brother Zhou Ang against an attack by Yuan Shu in Jiujiang (九江), but they were defeated. Zhou Yu returned to Kuaiji after the battle, where he was killed by Xu Gong.