Ding Feng (elder)

Ding Feng
A Qing dynasty illustration of Ding Feng
General of Eastern Wu
Born	(Unknown)
Died	271
Names
Traditional Chinese	丁奉
Simplified Chinese	丁奉
Pinyin	Dīng Fèng
Wade–Giles	Ting Fung
Courtesy name	Chengyuan (traditional Chinese: 承淵; simplified Chinese: 承渊; pinyin: Chéngyuān; Wade–Giles: Ch'eng-yüan)

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

Ding Feng was from Anfeng County (安豐縣), Lujiang commandery (廬江郡), which is in present-day Gushi County, Henan. 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.

In 252, Sun Liang succeeded his father Sun Quan as the emperor of the state of Eastern Wu. He appointed Ding Feng as Champion General (冠軍將軍) and granted the latter the title of a Marquis of a Chief Village (都亭侯).

In 252, Sima Shi (the regent and de facto leader of Wu's rival state, Cao Wei) sent Zhuge Dan and Hu Zun to lead the Wei armies to attack the Wu garrison at Dongxing (東興; southeast of present-day Chaohu City, Anhui). In response, the Wu regent Zhuge Ke led the Wu forces to resist the enemy, leading to the Battle of Dongxing between Wu and Wei.

The Wu generals said, "When the enemy learns that the Grand Tutor (Zhuge Ke) is coming here personally, they will surely retreat when we reach the shore." However, only Ding Feng had a different view, "No. They are making large movements in their territory. They are prepared, as they have mobilised large numbers of troops from Xuchang and Luoyang, so why would they go back empty-handed? Don't think that the enemy won't come. We should ready ourselves for battle." When Zhuge Ke reached Dongxing, he placed Ding Feng, Liu Zan (留贊), Lü Ju and Tang Zi in charge of the vanguard and they moved west along mountainous terrain. Ding Feng warned, "We are moving too slow. If the enemy seizes favourable ground, it will be harder to deal with them." He then led 3,000 soldiers with him, travelling on a different route from the main bulk of Wu forces.