Ding Feng (elder)

64
Ding Feng (elder) bigraphy, stories - Eastern Wu general

Ding Feng (elder) : biography

Unknown – 271

Ding Feng (died 271), style name Chengyuan, was a military general of the state of Eastern Wu in the Three Kingdoms period.

Service under Sun Xiu

In 258, Sun Chen deposed the second Wu emperor Sun Liang and replaced the latter with Sun Xiu. Sun Xiu was unhappy that Sun Chen monopolised state power so he plotted with the minister Zhang Bu to eliminate Sun Chen. Zhang Bu told the emperor, "Ding Feng may not be proficient in administrating civil affairs, but he’s an outstanding strategist and is capable of making important decisions." Sun Xiu then summoned Ding Feng for a meeting and said to the latter, "Sun Chen usurps state power and is plotting treason. I want you to help me eliminate him." Ding Feng replied, "The Chancellor (Sun Chen) and his brothers have many supporters. Not everyone in the imperial court is on our side. We cannot confront them directly. I suggest that Your Majesty orders your soldiers to kill him during the Laba Festival." Sun Xiu followed Ding Feng’s plan and pretended to invite Sun Chen to the palace to celebrate the Laba Festival. When Sun Chen stepped inside, Ding Feng and Zhang Bu signalled to the imperial guards to kill him. For his contributions, Ding Feng was promoted to the position of "General-in-Chief" (大將軍) and received the additional appointments of Left and Right Protectors of the Capital (左右都護).(孫休即位,與張布謀,欲誅孫綝,布曰:「丁奉雖不能吏書,而計略過人,能斷大事。」休召奉告曰:「綝秉國威,將行不軌,欲與將軍誅之。」奉曰:「丞相兄弟友黨甚盛,恐人心不同,不可卒制,可因臘會,有陛下兵以誅之也。」休納其計,因會請綝,奉與張布目左右斬之。遷大將軍,加左右都護。) Sanguozhi vol. 55.

In 259, Ding Feng was appointed as acting-Governor (牧) of Xu Province. In 263, when the state of Cao Wei launched a campaign to conquer Wu’s ally Shu Han, Ding Feng led the Wu forces to attack Shouchun (壽春; commandery capital in present-day Shou County, Lu’an, Anhui) in an attempt to divert Wei attention away from Shu. However, it was too late as the Shu emperor Liu Shan had already surrendered to Wei, marking the end of Shu. When Ding Feng received news of the fall of Shu, he withdrew the Wu armies from Shouchun.(永安二年,假節領徐州牧。六年,魏伐蜀,奉率諸軍向壽春,為救蜀之勢。蜀亡,軍還。) Sanguozhi vol. 55.

Service under Sun Hao

When Sun Xiu died in 264, Ding Feng and the chancellor Puyang Xing (濮陽興) heeded Wan Yu’s advice and decided to instal Sun Hao on the throne. After his accession, Sun Hao appointed Ding Feng as "Right Grand Marshal" (右大司馬) and "Left Military Advisor" (左軍師).(休薨,奉與丞相濮陽興等從萬彧之言,共迎立孫皓,遷右大司馬左軍師。) Sanguozhi vol. 55.

In 268, Sun Hao ordered Ding Feng and Zhuge Jing (諸葛靚) to lead an army to attack Hefei, which was under the control of the Jin Dynasty (which replaced the state of Cao Wei in 265). Ding Feng exchanged letters with the Jin general Shi Bao (石苞), in which they discussed some trivial things. Shi Bao later ordered the Jin army to retreat.(寶鼎三年,皓命奉與諸葛靚攻合肥。奉與晉大將石苞書,搆而間之,苞以徵還。) Sanguozhi vol. 55.

In 269, Ding Feng was ordered to garrison at Xu embankment (徐塘) and later attack the Jin territory of Guyang (穀陽). When the residents in Guyang learnt of the Wu army’s approach, they immediately evacuated the area and Ding Feng did not obtain anything in the campaign. Sun Hao was furious when he heard about that, and he had Ding Feng’s army guide (導軍) executed.(建衡元年,奉復帥衆治徐塘,因攻晉穀陽。穀陽民知之,引去,奉無所獲。皓怒,斬奉導軍。) Sanguozhi vol. 55.

Modern references

Ding Feng is first introduced as a playable character in the seventh instalment of Koei’s Dynasty Warriors video game series.

Early life and career

Ding Feng was a native of Anfeng (安豐), Lujiang (廬江) commandery, which is in present-day Gushi County, Xinyang, Henan.(丁奉字承淵,廬江安豐人也。) Sanguozhi vol. 55. He started his career as a soldier under the warlord Sun Quan sometime towards the end of the Han Dynasty, and was commissioned as an officer for his courage in battle. He served as a subordinate of various generals under Sun Quan, including Gan Ning, Lu Xun and Pan Zhang. He fought in many wars for his lord and was well known for his valour. He was also wounded in battle several times and had slain many enemy commanders and captured the enemy’s flags. He was promoted to Lieutenant-General (偏將軍) for his achievements.(少以驍勇為小將,屬甘寧、陸遜、潘璋等。數隨征伐,戰鬬常冠軍。每斬將搴旗,身被創夷。稍遷偏將軍。) Sanguozhi vol. 55.