Biography
Early life
Ding Feng was born in Anfeng County, Lujiang Commandery (present-day Liji Town, Gushi County, Henan). When young, he joined the army and served successively under Gan Ning, Lu Xun, Pan Zhang, and other great generals, following them on various campaigns.
He achieved military merit and gradually rose to General of the Side.
Service under Sun Quan
Ding Feng participated in many major battles and was often the bravest in the army. Whenever fighting, he was often able to kill enemy generals and capture flags, and because he fought bravely and took the lead, he was often wounded.
Battle of Dongxing
In 252 CE, the first year of Jianxing, Sun Quan, Emperor of Wu, died of illness, and his son Sun Liang succeeded to the throne.
Ding Feng was promoted to Champion General and enfeoffed as Marquis of Duting.
In the same year, Wei sent Zhuge Dan, Hu Zun, and others to attack Dongxing (present-day southeast of Chaoxian, Anhui).
Zhuge Ke, Grand Tutor of Wu, led various generals to resist them.
The various generals all said to Zhuge Ke: “The enemy has heard that the Grand Tutor has personally come. When we go ashore, they will flee.”
Only Ding Feng believed: “This is not so. The enemy has mobilized troops from within their borders and brought all the troops from Xuchang and Luoyang to greatly advance. They must have set a clear goal. How can they return without achievement? We should not expect the enemy to retreat without fighting. Only by making full preparation can we defeat the enemy.”
After Zhuge Ke went ashore, Ding Feng, together with generals Tang Zi, Lü Ju, and Liu Zan, advanced westward along the mountain.
Ding Feng said: “Now the various units are advancing too slowly. If the enemy occupies advantageous terrain, we will find it difficult to fight them.”
Ding Feng therefore left the main army’s route and personally led three thousand men from his command to advance.
At that time, a north wind was blowing. Ding Feng’s army took ships and reached the front line in two days, occupying Xutang (present-day Anhui).
The snow battle
At that time, the weather was cold and snow was falling. Wei generals were drinking wine and talking loudly.
Ding Feng saw that the enemy vanguard had few men and said to his subordinates: “The time to achieve merit and receive rewards has arrived!”
He ordered the soldiers to remove their armour and helmets and all take short weapons. (According to the Wu Li, Zhuge Ke ordered Ding Feng and others to remove armour, put on helmets, and hold swords.)
When Wei generals discovered this, they all laughed at them and did not prepare defences.
Ding Feng led his troops and rose up to kill the Wei army, greatly defeating the Wei army’s forward camp fortifications.
Just at this time, Lü Ju and others’ troops arrived, and together they defeated the Wei army.
After the battle, Ding Feng was promoted to General Who Exterminates Bandits for his achievements and advanced to Marquis of Duxiang.
Campaign to rescue Shouchun
In 255 CE, the second year of Wufeng, Wei general Wen Qin came to surrender. Ding Feng was appointed General of Tigers and Ferocity and followed Sun Jun, Grand General, to Shouchun (present-day Shou County, Anhui) to receive Wen Qin.
He fought with Wei pursuing troops at Gaoting (present-day Anhui). Ding Feng rode across his horse, held a spear, charged into the enemy formation, cut off several hundred heads, and captured large quantities of military equipment.
After the battle, Ding Feng was advanced to Marquis of Anfeng for his achievements.
Campaign against Wei
In 256 CE, the first year of Taiping, Sun Jun sent Lü Ju, Liu Zuan, Zhu Yi, Tang Zi, and others to lead troops and campaign north. Before the front-line army reached the Huai River, Sun Jun died of illness.
His cousin Sun Lin took power and summoned Lü Ju and others to return.
Lü Ju plotted together with Teng Yin to overthrow Sun Lin. Sun Lin sent someone with an edict to have Wen Qin and others attack Lü Ju, ordered Liu Cheng to command infantry and cavalry to attack Teng Yin, and ordered his cousin Sun Xian, together with Ding Feng and Shi Kuan, to lead naval troops to meet Lü Ju at Jiangdu.
Soon after, Teng Yin was defeated and died, and Lü Ju was also captured at Xinzhou and committed suicide.
Campaign to rescue Zhuge Dan
In 257 CE, the second year of Taiping, Zhuge Dan, Grand General of Wei, surrendered to Sun Wu from Shouchun, where he was defending, and was surrounded by Wei troops.
Sun Liang, Young Emperor, and Sun Lin, powerful minister, sent Zhu Yi, Tang Zi, and others to go and rescue them. Later, they again sent Ding Feng and Li Fei to relieve the siege.
Ding Feng served as the vanguard, stationed at Lijiang (present-day south of Shou County, Anhui). Because he fought bravely and achieved merit, he was enfeoffed as General of the Left.
Killing Sun Lin
In 257 CE, the second year of Taiping, Sun Liang personally handled government, and he and Sun Lin were suspicious of each other.
In 258 CE, the third year of Taiping, Sun Liang investigated the matter of his sister Sun Luyu being wrongly killed by Sun Jun. Sun Luban, Princess Quan, shifted the responsibility to Zhu Xiong, Commander of Hulin, and Zhu Sun, External Commander, sons of Zhu Ju.
Sun Liang therefore, using the pretext that the two had not done their best to stop Sun Jun from wrongly killing them, ordered Ding Feng to kill Zhu Xiong at Hulin and again kill Zhu Sun at Jianye.
Zhu Sun was Sun Jun’s brother-in-law, and Sun Liang’s conflict with Sun Lin therefore intensified.
In the ninth month of the same year, Sun Liang plotted together with Sun Luban and Quan Shang, Minister over the Masses, and others to kill Sun Lin, but the matter failed, and Sun Liang was deposed by Sun Lin.
Assisting Sun Xiu
In 258 CE, the third year of Taiping, Sun Xiu, Emperor Jing of Wu, ascended the throne and plotted together with Zhang Bu, General of the Left, wanting to kill Sun Lin.
Zhang Bu said: “Ding Feng, although he cannot read or write, has strategy that surpasses others and can decide major affairs.”
Sun Xiu therefore summoned Ding Feng and said to him: “Sun Lin holds state power and is about to plot rebellion. I want to kill him together with you, General.”
Ding Feng said: “The Chancellor’s brothers and followers are many. I fear people’s hearts cannot be unified, and it will be difficult to subdue them all at once. We can use the excuse of the La Festival sacrifice and invite him to attend. Use Your Majesty’s personal troops to kill him.”
Sun Xiu adopted his plan.
On the eighth day of the twelfth month of 258 CE (18 January 259), Sun Xiu invited Sun Lin to attend the sacrifice. Sun Lin reluctantly came, saw that the situation was not good, and wanted to leave.
Ding Feng and Zhang Bu therefore signalled with their eyes to the left and right personal troops to bind Sun Lin.
Sun Xiu enumerated Sun Lin’s crimes and executed him. Sun Xiu, Ding Feng, and others displayed Sun Lin’s head, pardoned his followers, and five thousand who put down their weapons and surrendered.
They also pursued and killed Sun Lin’s younger brother Sun Kai, who wanted to flee north to Cao Wei.
Ding Feng, for his merit in this matter, was transferred to Grand General, with the additional titles of Left and Right Protector, and began to hold military and government power in Wu.
Later service
In 260 CE, the third year of Yong’an, Ding Feng was granted credentials and remotely held the position of Inspector of Xu Province.
In 263 CE, the sixth year of Yong’an, Wei attacked Shu. In the tenth month, Sun Xiu ordered Ding Feng to command various armies and advance to Shouchun, making a show of attacking Wei to rescue Shu Han.
Soon after, Shu Han was destroyed, and Ding Feng led his troops to withdraw.
Assisting Sun Hao
In 264 CE, the seventh year of Yong’an, Sun Xiu died. Ding Feng, together with Puyang Xing, Chancellor, and others, followed Wan Yu’s suggestion and welcomed Sun Hao, Marquis of Wucheng, to become emperor.
Ding Feng was promoted to Right Grand Marshal and Left Army Advisor.
Remonstrating with Sun Hao
In 266 CE, the second year of Ganlu, Ding Zhong returned from an embassy to Jin and claimed that the north was lax in military preparation and that Yeyang could be captured.
Sun Hao planned to take the opportunity to campaign north. Ding Feng believed that Ding Zhong’s words were not credible and that sending out troops would certainly achieve nothing.
Sun Hao was greatly angry and did not adopt Ding Feng’s words, but in the end, he was dissuaded by Lu Kai and others.
Campaigns against Jin
In 268 CE, the third year of Baoding, Sun Hao ordered Ding Feng and Zhuge Jing to attack Hefei together (present-day Anhui).
Ding Feng used a strategy of sowing discord and wrote a letter to Shi Bao, a great general of Western Jin. Shi Bao was indeed transferred back from the front line.
In the eleventh month of the same year, Ding Feng advanced troops to Shaobei. Sima Wang, Prince of Yiyang of Western Jin, and Sima Jun, Prince of Ruyin and General Who Pacifies the East, met the attack.
Sima Jun commanded various armies and repelled Ding Feng. At that time, Sima Wang led various armies and advanced to Shaobei but had not yet arrived when Ding Feng had already withdrawn.
In 269 CE, the first year of Jianheng, Ding Feng again led troops and stationed at Xutang, then attacked Guyang of Jin.
The people of Guyang, knowing this in advance, left. Ding Feng achieved nothing.
Sun Hao was angry and executed Ding Feng’s army guide.
In the spring of 270 CE, the second year of Jianheng, Ding Feng led troops and entered Wokou but was repelled by Qian Hong, Inspector of Yang Province of Jin.
Death and legacy
In 271 CE, the third year of Jianheng, Sun Hao led the main army and went out to Huali.
Wan Yu discussed together with Ding Feng and Liu Ping: “If we reach Huali and do not turn back, state and altars of soil and grain are important. We must return first.”
Later, this matter was leaked, and Sun Hao was very dissatisfied. However, because Wan Yu and others were old ministers, he temporarily restrained himself.
In the same year, Ding Feng died.
During Ding Feng’s lifetime, relying on his prominence and achievements, he gradually became arrogant and self-indulgent.
After Ding Feng died, someone spoke ill of him. Sun Hao therefore investigated Ding Feng’s previous failure in sending troops to Guyang, killed Ding Feng’s son Ding Wen, and exiled his family to Linchuan Commandery.
Personality
Ding Feng was known for being brave and fierce. When young, he joined the army and was often the bravest in the army. Whenever fighting, he was often able to kill enemy generals and capture flags, and because he fought bravely and took the lead, he was often wounded.
He was also known for his strategic thinking. Although he could not read or write, he had strategy that surpassed others and could decide major affairs, as Zhang Bu said.
He was known for his courage and decisiveness. At the Battle of Dongxing, he led three thousand men, removed their armour, and used short weapons to attack the Wei army, achieving victory.
However, in his later years, he became arrogant and self-indulgent, relying on his prominence and achievements.
Military achievements
Battle of Dongxing
Ding Feng’s greatest achievement was the Battle of Dongxing, where he led three thousand men, removed their armour, and used short weapons to attack the Wei army in the snow, greatly defeating the Wei vanguard and contributing to the victory.
Campaign to rescue Shouchun
Ding Feng participated in the campaign to rescue Wen Qin, charging into the enemy formation and cutting off several hundred heads, showing his bravery.
Campaign to rescue Zhuge Dan
Ding Feng served as the vanguard in the campaign to rescue Zhuge Dan, fighting bravely and achieving merit.
Killing Sun Lin
Ding Feng played a key role in killing Sun Lin, planning the strategy to invite Sun Lin to the sacrifice and kill him with Sun Xiu’s personal troops.
Campaigns against Jin
Ding Feng participated in campaigns against Jin, including attacking Hefei and Guyang, though these campaigns were not successful.
Relationships
With Sun Quan
Ding Feng served under Sun Quan for many years, participating in various campaigns and achieving merit.
With Sun Liang
Ding Feng served under Sun Liang and participated in killing Zhu Xiong and Zhu Sun on Sun Liang’s orders.
With Sun Xiu
Ding Feng played a key role in helping Sun Xiu kill Sun Lin, planning the strategy and executing it successfully.
With Sun Hao
Ding Feng helped welcome Sun Hao to become emperor but later had conflicts with him. After Ding Feng’s death, Sun Hao investigated his failures and killed his son.
Anecdotes
The snow battle
At the Battle of Dongxing, Ding Feng led three thousand men, removed their armour, and used short weapons to attack the Wei army in the snow. The Wei generals laughed at them, but Ding Feng achieved victory, showing his courage and strategic thinking.
The strategy to kill Sun Lin
Ding Feng planned the strategy to invite Sun Lin to the La Festival sacrifice and kill him with Sun Xiu’s personal troops. This strategy was successful and shows his strategic thinking.
The arrogance
In his later years, Ding Feng became arrogant and self-indulgent, relying on his prominence and achievements. After his death, Sun Hao investigated his failures and killed his son.
The wild boar omen
According to the Wu Lu, during Sun Hao’s reign, a wild boar entered Ding Feng’s camp, which was considered an ill omen. Later, Ding Feng failed at Guyang, and after his death, Sun Hao killed his son, which was seen as the fulfilment of the omen.
Achievements
- Participated in many campaigns under Gan Ning, Lu Xun, and Pan Zhang
- Achieved victory at Battle of Dongxing (snow battle)
- Participated in campaign to rescue Shouchun
- Participated in campaign to rescue Zhuge Dan
- Played key role in killing Sun Lin
- Served all Wu emperors
- Achieved rank of Right Grand Marshal
Behind the scenes
Historical sources
Ding Feng’s biography appears in Records of the Three Kingdoms by Chen Shou, where he is grouped with Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, Han Dang, Jiang Qin, Zhou Tai, Chen Wu, Dong Xi, Gan Ning, Ling Tong, Xu Sheng, and Pan Zhang as the Twelve Tiger Generals of Jiangdong.
Chen Shou wrote: “All these generals were the tiger ministers of Jiangbiao, and the Sun family treated them generously.”
The snow battle
Ding Feng’s snow battle at Dongxing is one of the most famous battles of the Three Kingdoms period. Leading three thousand men, removing their armour, and using short weapons to attack the Wei army in the snow shows his courage and strategic thinking.
Serving all Wu emperors
Ding Feng served all four Wu emperors—Sun Quan, Sun Liang, Sun Xiu, and Sun Hao—showing his longevity and importance to the Wu state.
The killing of Sun Lin
Ding Feng played a key role in killing Sun Lin, planning the strategy and executing it successfully. This shows his strategic thinking and loyalty to Sun Xiu.
The later conflicts
Ding Feng’s later conflicts with Sun Hao and the killing of his son after his death show the dangers of serving a tyrannical ruler.
Historical evaluations
Contemporary
Zhang Bu said: “Ding Feng, although he cannot read or write, has strategy that surpasses others and can decide major affairs.”
Later historians
Chen Shou wrote: “All these generals were the tiger ministers of Jiangbiao, and the Sun family treated them generously.”
Lu Ji wrote: “Ding Feng and Zhongli Fei were known for their military ferocity.”
Hao Jing wrote: “Ding Feng relied on his achievements and became arrogant, not tolerated by a tyrannical ruler. It was appropriate!”
Legacy
Ding Feng is remembered as one of the Twelve Tiger Generals of Jiangdong and for his famous snow battle at Dongxing, where he led three thousand men to victory against the Wei army.
He is also remembered for serving all four Wu emperors and playing a key role in killing Sun Lin, helping Sun Xiu secure his throne.
However, he is also remembered for becoming arrogant in his later years and for the conflicts with Sun Hao that led to the killing of his son after his death.
His story represents both achievement and tragedy—a general who served his state loyally throughout his life and achieved great success but whose later arrogance and conflicts with a tyrannical ruler led to tragedy for his family.
Timeline
- Unknown date: Born in Anfeng County, Lujiang Commandery
- c. 200 CE: Joined army; served under Gan Ning, Lu Xun, Pan Zhang
- c. 220 CE: Promoted to General of the Side
- 252 CE: Promoted to Champion General; enfeoffed as Marquis of Duting; Battle of Dongxing (snow battle); promoted to General Who Exterminates Bandits; advanced to Marquis of Duxiang
- 255 CE: Campaign to rescue Shouchun; appointed General of Tigers and Ferocity; advanced to Marquis of Anfeng
- 257 CE: Campaign to rescue Zhuge Dan; appointed General of the Left
- 258 CE: Killed Zhu Xiong and Zhu Sun on Sun Liang’s orders; helped Sun Xiu kill Sun Lin; appointed Grand General and Left and Right Protector
- 260 CE: Granted credentials; Inspector of Xu Province
- 263 CE: Led troops to Shouchun to rescue Shu Han
- 264 CE: Helped welcome Sun Hao to become emperor; appointed Right Grand Marshal and Left Army Advisor
- 266 CE: Remonstrated with Sun Hao about Ding Zhong’s suggestion
- 268 CE: Campaign against Hefei; used strategy of sowing discord
- 269 CE: Campaign against Guyang; failed; Sun Hao executed his guide
- 270 CE: Campaign against Wokou; repelled by Qian Hong
- 271 CE: Discussed returning from Huali with Wan Yu and Liu Ping; died; son Ding Wen killed by Sun Hao; family exiled
See also
- Zhuge Ke
- Sun Lin
- Sun Xiu
- Battle of Dongxing
- Twelve Tiger Generals
References
- Chen Shou. Records of the Three Kingdoms, Volume 55, Biography of Ding Feng.
- Pei Songzhi. Annotations to Records of the Three Kingdoms.
- Zhang Bo. Wu Lu.
- Sima Guang. Zizhi Tongjian, various volumes.