萬歷二十七(qi)年(nian)(1599年(nian))初秋,努爾(er)哈(ha)赤率領(ling)五千人馬,進(jin)軍(jun)哈(ha)達(da),揚古(gu)(gu)利(li)隨同(tong)前往。由于(yu)哈(ha)達(da)城(cheng)城(cheng)墻高(gao)大,防守(shou)嚴密,建州軍(jun)一連攻(gong)(gong)(gong)了三(san)天也沒有攻(gong)(gong)(gong)下。第四天五更,努爾(er)哈(ha)赤再次(ci)下令攻(gong)(gong)(gong)城(cheng)。連續兩次(ci)攻(gong)(gong)(gong)擊(ji)失利(li)后(hou),他命令揚古(gu)(gu)利(li)率兵五百從東南角再次(ci)發動強攻(gong)(gong)(gong)。揚古(gu)(gu)利(li)身(shen)先(xian)士卒,直奔城(cheng)東南角而來(lai),先(xian)沖上城(cheng)頭,生擒(qin)哈(ha)達(da)貝勒孟格布祿(lu)。
天(tian)命六年(明(ming)天(tian)啟元(yuan)年,1621年)三(san)(san)(san)月,努爾哈(ha)赤(chi)出(chu)兵(bing)沈(shen)陽。揚古利力戰沈(shen)陽城(cheng)(cheng)總兵(bing)賀世賢(xian)(xian),賀世賢(xian)(xian)不敵欲敗走(zou),被(bei)揚古利一箭射(she)中(zhong)(zhong)后(hou)心,陣亡。三(san)(san)(san)月十三(san)(san)(san)日(ri),后(hou)金(jin)軍攻(gong)下沈(shen)陽城(cheng)(cheng)。遼(liao)東(dong)經略袁應泰自(zi)從得知沈(shen)陽失(shi)守后(hou),連日(ri)來與(yu)諸(zhu)將研(yan)究守城(cheng)(cheng)策略,把火(huo)炮都搬運到城(cheng)(cheng)墻上(shang),用(yong)五(wu)萬(wan)(wan)兵(bing)守三(san)(san)(san)道城(cheng)(cheng)壕,五(wu)萬(wan)(wan)兵(bing)守城(cheng)(cheng),另五(wu)萬(wan)(wan)兵(bing)做(zuo)后(hou)備。袁應泰率三(san)(san)(san)萬(wan)(wan)軍隊出(chu)戰,被(bei)努爾哈(ha)赤(chi)的六萬(wan)(wan)騎兵(bing)擊敗,退回堅守。揚古利放掉了(le)護城(cheng)(cheng)河(he)渠之(zhi)中(zhong)(zhong)的深水,讓遼(liao)陽城(cheng)(cheng)無險可(ke)峙,下一步的攻(gong)城(cheng)(cheng)也就容易得多了(le)。內應在城(cheng)(cheng)內放火(huo),大亂,后(hou)金(jin)軍乘虛而入,遼(liao)陽城(cheng)(cheng)破。
天(tian)(tian)聰元年(nian)(明(ming)天(tian)(tian)啟七年(nian),1627年(nian)),跟從皇太極討伐朝(chao)鮮(xian)王朝(chao),次年(nian)一(yi)月因(yin)遭遇朝(chao)鮮(xian)伏兵傷重(zhong)而(er)死(si),追封為武(wu)勛王。
《清史稿(gao)》:揚古利(li)初事太祖,凡在(zai)行(xing)間,率先破(po)敵(di),沖鋒(feng)挫(cuo)銳,所向披靡。太宗誡(jie)不令臨陣,而遇敵(di)忘軀,奮發不自已。行(xing)軍四十余年,大小百馀戰,功業絕特,而持(chi)身尤敬慎。