Early life and career

Ding Feng was from Anfeng County, 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 for his achievements.

Service under Sun Liang

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 and enfeoffed him as a Marquis of a Chief Village (都亭侯).

Battle of Dongxing

In 252, Sima Shi, the regent of Wu's rival state 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.

Strong north winds were blowing at that time. Ding Feng and his 3,000 men reached the frontline within two days and seized control of Xu Embankment (徐塘). It was in winter and there was snowfall. The Wei officers were off guard and having a drinking session, so, despite the feeble size of his army, Ding Feng rallied his men and said: "Today is the day we claim titles and rewards!" He then ordered his troops to remove their armour and helmets, discard their jis and spears, and arm themselves with only shields and short weapons such as swords. The Wei soldiers laughed when they saw this event, and instead refused to ready themselves for combat. Ding Feng and his men fought bravely and destroyed the enemy camp at the front. Just then, another Wu force led by Lü Ju and a few others arrived, therefore joining Ding Feng in attacking the enemy camp. The Wei forces suffered a crushing a defeat.

Ding Feng was promoted to General Who Destroys Bandits and had his marquis rank increased by one grade for his efforts in the battle.

Shouchun rebellions

In 255, the Cao Wei generals Guanqiu Jian and Wen Qin started a rebellion in the Wei-controlled Shouchun (壽春; present-day Shou County, Anhui). However, the revolt failed and Wen Qin fled towards Wu to seek refuge. Ding Feng was appointed as General of Tiger's Might and he followed an army led by the Wu regent Sun Jun to receive Wen Qin. They encountered Wei forces pursuing Wen Qin at Gaoting (高亭) and engaged the enemy in battle. Ding Feng, armed with a long spear and on horseback, led a charge into the enemy formation and they slew hundreds of Wei soldiers and seized much of the enemy's weapons and equipment. He was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Anfeng (安豐侯) for his achievements.

In 257, another rebellion led by the Wei general Zhuge Dan broke out in Shouchun again. Zhuge Dan requested aid from Wu and the Wu regent Sun Chen agreed. Sima Zhao personally led the Wei armies to suppress the revolt and they attempted to surround Shouchun. Sun Chen ordered Zhu Yi and Tang Zi to help Zhuge Dan, and later sent Li Fei (黎斐) and Ding Feng to lift the siege on Shouchun. Ding Feng stationed at Lijiang (黎漿) and he fought bravely in battle even though the rebellion was eventually crushed by Wei forces and the Wu army sustained heavy losses. Despite the failure of the campaign, Ding Feng was still held in high regard in Wu, as he was subsequently appointed as General of the Left.

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 is an outstanding strategist and is capable of making important decisions." Sun Xiu then summoned Ding Feng and told him: "Sun Chen usurps state power and is plotting treason. I want you to help me eliminate him." Ding Feng replied: "The Imperial 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 order 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 and received the additional appointments of Left and Right Protector-Generals (左右都護).

In 259, Ding Feng was appointed as the nominal Governor of Xu Province. In 263, when the state of Wei launched a campaign to conquer Wu's ally Shu, Ding Feng led the Wu forces to attack Shouchun (壽春; present-day Shou County, 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.

Service under Sun Hao

When Sun Xiu died in 264, Ding Feng and Puyang Xing heeded Wan Yu's advice and decided to install Sun Hao on the throne. After his accession, Sun Hao appointed Ding Feng as Right Grand Marshal and Left Military Adviser.

In 268, Sun Hao ordered Ding Feng and Zhuge Jing to lead an army to attack Hefei, which was under the control of the Jin dynasty (which replaced the state of 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.

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 executed Ding Feng's army guide.

Death

Ding Feng died in 271. His cause of death was not recorded in history. In his later years, Ding Feng gradually became arrogant as he achieved more glory for his contributions on the battlefield. He was slandered and defamed by others after his death. However, Sun Hao still recognised Ding Feng for his meritorious service, so he did not massacre Ding Feng's family and instead exiled them to Linchuan (臨川; present-day Linchuan District, Fuzhou, Jiangxi).

In 2020-2021 four brick tombs belonging to Ding Feng and his family were excavated at Nanjing. The tombs had been robbed, but four land purchase certificates inscribed on brick were found in one tomb, which indicated that the occupants of this tomb were Ding Feng and his wife. The certificates further indicated that Ding Feng and his wife died in 271 and 251 respectively.

Family

Ding Feng's younger brother, Ding Fēng (丁封), also served as a general in Eastern Wu and the highest position he attained was General of the Rear. The younger Ding Feng died before his elder brother.

In popular culture

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

生平

青年將才

丁奉早期同徐盛共為周瑜帳前護軍校尉，護衛周瑜，隨周瑜參加了江夏之戰、赤壁之戰、南郡爭奪戰，之後隨呂蒙參加了逍遙津之戰、襲取荊州之戰，後隨陸遜參加了彞陵之戰。丁奉年輕時因驍勇作了一員小將，先後歸屬甘寧、陸遜、潘璋等旗下。丁奉多次參加戰鬥，經常勇冠全軍，每次都斬將奪旗，身負戰傷，後來升為偏將軍。

雪奮短兵

建興元年（252年），孫亮即位，被任免為冠軍將軍。同年，曹魏派大將諸葛誕、胡遵等進攻東興，諸葛恪率軍抵抗。眾將認為：「敵聞太傅（諸葛恪）自來，上岸必遁走。」惟獨丁奉說：「不然。彼動其境內，悉許、洛兵大舉而來，必有成規，豈虛還哉？無恃敵之不至，恃吾有以勝之。（不是。敵人在境內行動，動用許都、洛陽所有兵力攻來，必有既定的計畫，豈會沒有收穫而歸還呢？不要以為敵人不來，該有準備而迎戰。）」後諸葛恪上岸，丁奉與將軍唐咨、呂據、留贊等延山向西。丁奉說：「今諸軍行遲，若敵據便地，則難與爭鋒矣。（現今眾軍遲來了，若果敵人佔據合宜陣地並佔據徐塘，則難與爭鋒。」當時天氣寒冷、下雪，敵軍在舉行盛大的酒會，丁奉見他們前營兵少，對左右說：「取封侯爵賞，正在今日！」逐率兵解開護身重甲、穿上輕身鎧甲和頭盔，手持短兵器（胡衝《吳曆》作諸葛恪下令）。敵人看見都大笑，不作防備。丁奉率兵突擊，大破敵軍前營。正好呂據等到來，魏軍潰敗。晉滅寇將軍，進封都亭侯（一說都鄉侯）。

解救壽春

五鳳二年（255年），魏將文欽起事失敗降吳，孫亮任丁奉為虎威將軍，跟隨孫峻到壽春迎接文欽，在高亭與魏軍追兵發生戰鬥。丁奉持矛上馬，帶軍突入曹軍陣中，斬殺數百人，得其武器，進封為安豐侯。翌年（魏甘露元年）十月丁未日（256年11月8日），丁奉與孫憲、施寬等乘船逆水佔據江都，為將軍劉丞進攻滕胤作援。257年，魏大將軍諸葛誕佔據壽春降吳，魏軍包圍壽春。孫綝先派朱異、唐咨等為前軍，後又派朱異領丁奉與黎斐再率五萬人解圍。丁奉成為先登，屯於黎漿，因力戰有功，拜為左將軍。

誅殺權臣

永安元年（258年），孫休即位。孫休與張布密謀，想誅殺孫綝，張布曰：「丁奉雖不能吏書，而計略過人，能斷大事。（丁奉雖然不擅長行政事務，但計略過人，可以決斷大事。）」孫休便召丁奉，並說明原由：「綝秉國威，將行不軌，欲與將軍誅之。（孫綝把持國家的聲威，將行圖謀叛亂，我想與將軍一起誅殺他。）」丁奉曰：「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。（丞相（孫綝）兄弟、朋友、黨徒甚為強大，恐怕人心不同，不能以普通士兵制服他，我們可在臘會中，以陛下的親兵誅殺他。）」孫休接納此計。宴請孫綝，丁奉與張布給左右打眼色，當場斬殺孫綝。升遷為大將軍，加左右都護。永安三年（260年），授假節、領徐州牧。

永安六年（263年），曹魏伐蜀，丁奉於九月甲申日（11月9日）率軍進駐壽春，為分散曹軍以救蜀。不過蜀漢最後不敵、次月劉禪投降，丁軍遂還。 次年（264年）孫休逝世，丁奉與丞相濮陽興等遵照萬彧之言，一起擁立孫皓，遷為右大司馬左軍師。

曾在孫皓暴政後，於266年十二月與陸凱和丁固密謀廢黜孫皓並改立孫休兒子為皇帝，不過在留平反對陸凱的邀請下作罷。

晉吳對峙

寶鼎三年（268年）秋，孫皓命丁奉與諸葛靚攻打合肥司馬駿，丁奉與西晉大將石苞書信，互說閒事，石苞因而撤還。隔年冬季，丁奉再率兵至徐塘，進攻穀陽。穀陽百姓知道後都逃去，丁奉無穫而歸。孫皓大怒，斬殺丁奉的軍中向導。

建衡三年（271年），孫皓不顧眾人反對，用車載著自己後宮上千人，率大軍從牛渚（今安徽省當塗縣）西進伐晉，結果途中被大雪所阻，士兵們怨聲載道，甚至還出現倒戈的傳言，因此孫皓只好下令還師。孫皓還師前，丁奉與右丞相萬彧、左將軍留平曾私下商議先自行回去，後被孫皓得知，介於三人都是重臣並沒有馬上處置。

同年，丁奉因病逝世，死後受人毀謗，孫皓追究昔日穀陽出兵一無所獲的責任，流放其家人至臨川郡。

特徵

丁奉善戰，曾率兵穿上輕身鎧甲和頭盔，手持短兵器，於寒風中大敗敵軍前營。

家庭

• 丁封，丁奉弟。官至後將軍，比丁奉早死。

• 丁溫，丁奉子。丁奉死後，家族遭吳帝孫皓清算。

評價

陳壽《三國志》評曰：「凡此諸將，皆江表之虎臣，孫氏之所厚待也。以潘璋之不脩，權能忘過記功，其保據東南，宜哉！陳表將家支庶，而與冑子名人比翼齊衡，拔萃出類，不亦美乎！」

張布：「丁奉雖不能吏書，而計略過人，能斷大事。」

陸機：「大司馬陸公以文武熙朝，左丞相陸凱以謇諤盡規，而施績、范慎以威重顯，丁奉、鐘離斐以武毅稱，孟宗、丁固之徒為公卿，樓玄、賀劭之屬掌機事，元首雖病，股肱猶良。」

張蛑：「自古倚長江之險者，屯兵據要，雖在江南，而挫敵取勝，多在江北。故呂蒙築濡須塢，而朱桓以偏將卻曹仁之全師；諸葛恪修東興堤，而丁奉以兵三千，破胡遵七萬。轉弱為強，形勢然也。」

郝經：「程普諸將皆江表虎臣，鏖兵衛主，攻堅軋敵，興王定霸，孫氏兄弟卒立國建號，諸將之力也。若黃蓋之水戰而用火攻，能用竒者也；蔣欽之不挾私怨而舉徐盛；凌統之親賢下士輕財重義；陳表傾家養士妻子露立，並有良將之規。甘寧之奢侈、潘璋之不法，權皆容之，許寧報蘇飛之恩，不使統複父操之讎，馭將之術也。丁奉恃功而驕，不容于虐主，宜哉！」「吳將剽輕，殆多譎計。莫肯下人，卒自稱帝。摩創撫孤，動輒流涕。駕馭有術，驅策有方。果保江東，不負桓王。」

民間藝術

三國演義

孫權繼位後，招納人才而開設招賢館，闞澤，嚴畯，薛綜，程秉，朱桓，陸績，張溫，駱統，吾粲，呂蒙，陸遜，徐盛，潘璋，丁奉相繼到東吳，協助新吳主舉大事。在赤壁之戰，與徐盛首次登場於戰場，多與徐盛率軍迎敵。增加了曹丕在224年伐吳，張遼保護曹丕撤退時，丁奉用箭射中了張遼腰間，回營後舊傷迸發不治而亡，丁奉與正史故事基本相同。

戲劇

中國傳統戲曲中，丁奉的臉譜為勾粉紅老臉，眉尖下垂及粉紅色皆表示老年之意，出場劇目有《借東風》。

漫畫遊戲

• 真三國無雙系列 / 無雙OROCHI系列（光榮公司開發，中尾良平配音）

• 《蒼天航路》（王欣太）

影視

• 中國中央電視台電視劇《三國演義》（1994年）：劉紹春、王奕

• 台灣華視電視劇《三國英雄傳之關公》（1996年）：邵長森

• 中國電視劇《三國》（2010年）：姜燚

神彈子

在民間傳說中，丁奉擅長以手飛石（就像《水滸傳》中的沒羽箭張清一樣），故有「神彈子丁奉」之稱。現在供奉丁奉的廟宇當中，丁奉像的手上亦握著一枚飛石。

丁奉墓

丁奉墓於1953年在安徽廬江縣西門外的龍子口被發現，墓地有160多平方公尺，高5公尺多，墓室為卷拱形，高3公尺多，寬2公尺，長5公尺，均為古錢紋和幾何圖案的青磚砌成。