Wei Feng
Quick Facts
Biography
Wei Feng (died 219), courtesy name Zijing, was a government official who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty of China.
Life
The Shiyu (世語) claimed that Wei Feng was from Pei Commandery (沛郡; around present-day Pei County, Jiangsu), but Wang Chang's Jia Jie (家誡) recorded that he was from Jiyin Commandery (濟陰郡; around present-day Heze, Shandong). He was recruited into the Han civil service by Zhong Yao and he served as an Assistant in the West Bureau (西曹掾). Before that, he was already known for his talent throughout Ye (in present-day Handan, Hebei), the capital of Cao Cao's vassal kingdom of Wei (魏; covering parts of present-day Hebei and Henan).
While in office, Wei Feng acquainted himself with many others, including: two of Wang Can's sons; Liu Wei (劉偉), a younger brother of Liu Yi (劉廙); Chen Yi (陳禕), the Minister of the Guards of Changle (長樂衞尉).
Around late September or October 219, when Cao Cao was away on a campaign against Liu Bei in Hanzhong, Wei Feng plotted a rebellion in Ye together with Chen Yi and others. However, before the plan was carried out, Chen Yi became afraid and he reported the plot to Cao Pi, Cao Cao's heir apparent, who was in charge of Ye during his father's absence. Wei Feng and his accomplices, numbering dozens, were arrested and executed. Those who were implicated include: Zhong Yao, who recommended Wei Feng, was dismissed from his position as the Chancellor (相國) of Cao Cao's vassal kingdom; Wang Can's two sons, who were executed; Liu Wei, who was also executed; Song Zhong's son; Zhang Xiu's son (張泉) who was also executed (and his fief abolished); Wen Qin, who was whipped but ultimately pardoned. At least three persons had foreseen that Wei Feng would rebel: Liu Yi, who cautioned his younger brother against befriending Wei Feng; Fu Xun; Liu Ye, who also accurately predicted that Meng Da would rebel. Yang Jun 楊俊, Cao Cao's Commandant (中尉) in Ye held himself responsible and sent a letter of resignation to Cao Pi, who had him transferred to Administrator of Pingyuan.