Zhu Yu is an author of the Chinese Song Dynasty (960-1279).

He retired in Huang Gang in Hubei province, buys a country house and names it "Pingzhou".

He calls himself "Expert Vegetable Grower of Pingzhou".

Between 1111 and 1117, Zhu Yu writes the book Pingzhou Ketan (ingzhou Table Talks), published in 1119.

It covers a wide variety of maritime subjects and issues in China at the time.

His extensive knowledge of maritime engagements, technologies, and practices are because his father, Zhu Fu, had been the Port Superintendent of Merchant Shipping for Guangzhou from 1094 until 1099, whereupon he was elevated to the status of governor there and served in that office until 1102 AD.