Feng Ji

Historical Record

Feng Ji, styled Yuantu, held an important post in Yuan Shao's faction. He commanded military affairs together with Shen Pei ^c:6454 and was one of Yuan Shao's important advisers. When Yuan Shao decided to attack Xu and do battle with Cao Cao, Feng Ji, Shen Pei, and others strongly urged sending out the army, arguing that Yuan Shao, "with my lord's divine martial prowess, astride the strong host of the lands north of the Yellow River, in striking the house of Cao—it is as easy as turning over one's hand; if we do not seize the moment now, it will be hard to plot for later" ^c:6454. Their view ran counter to the cautious strategy of Ju Shou, Tian Feng, and others, who held that "the army has been campaigning for years, the common people are worn out, the granaries hold no reserves, and levies and corvée are pressing" ^c:6454. In the end, Yuan Shao adopted the aggressive proposal of Feng Ji and the others and decided to march south to do battle with Cao Cao. Within Yuan Shao's faction, Feng Ji and Guo Tu once together slandered Ju Shou before Yuan Shao, falsely accusing him: "He oversees and commands both within and without, his authority shakes the Three Armies; if his power keeps swelling, how will you control him?" ^c:6454 This caused Yuan Shao to grow suspicious of Ju Shou and to split Ju Shou's authority as supervising commander into three, weakening his influence. These records show that Feng Ji was not only a participant in military decisions within Yuan Shao's faction but also an important player in its internal power struggles.

In the Novel

In *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, Feng Ji's image is further developed, particularly emphasizing his character as one skilled at fawning and at framing the loyal and worthy. His very first appearance displays his cunning: he advised Yuan Shao to use Gongsun Zan's attack on Jizhou as a pretext to seize Han Fu's territory ^c:3797. This scheme successfully helped Yuan Shao take Jizhou without the slightest effort, and Feng Ji was thereby given important employment by Yuan Shao, sharing in the administration of the province alongside Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Xu You, and others ^c:3797.

On the eve of the Battle of Guandu between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, Feng Ji once again displayed his nature for framing those who spoke loyal counsel. When Tian Feng submitted a memorial advising Yuan Shao not to move his great army rashly, Feng Ji slandered him before Yuan Shao, asking, "How can he utter such ill-omened words?" ^c:3798, aggravating Yuan Shao's displeasure with Tian Feng. After Yuan Shao's defeat at Guandu, Feng Ji even seized the chance to kick a man when he was down. When Yuan Shao lamented that his failure came from not heeding Tian Feng's words, Feng Ji falsely claimed that Tian Feng, hearing the news in prison, "clapped his hands and laughed aloud, saying, 'It turned out just as I predicted!'" ^c:3799, directly leading Yuan Shao in his fury to put Tian Feng to death. This episode has no clear basis in the histories; it is an addition in the novel meant to shape Feng Ji's treacherous image.

After Yuan Shao's death, Feng Ji and Shen Pei together installed Yuan Shang as successor, in opposition to Guo Tu and Xin Ping, who supported Yuan Tan ^c:3800. When Yuan Tan, defeated in battle with Cao Cao, sought reinforcements from Yuan Shang, Feng Ji once drafted a letter on Yuan Tan's behalf to beg for relief ^c:14801. But when Yuan Shang, on Shen Pei's advice, refused to send troops to aid Yuan Tan, Yuan Tan flew into a rage and finally had Feng Ji executed ^c:3801. This end further reinforces the image of Feng Ji as a casualty of the power struggle within the House of Yuan.

Key Relationships

* Yuan Shao's Faction (senior_official): Feng Ji was an important adviser and military commander in Yuan Shao's faction, taking part in numerous major decisions ^c:6454.
* Yuan Shao (advises_in): Feng Ji repeatedly offered counsel to Yuan Shao, especially on the decisions to seize Jizhou and to fight at Guandu, his advice exerting an important influence on Yuan Shao ^c:3797.
* Tian Feng (betrayed_by): Feng Ji repeatedly framed Tian Feng; in particular, after the Battle of Guandu, his slander directly led to Tian Feng's death ^c:3799 (novel only).
* Yuan Shang (advises_in): After Yuan Shao's death, Feng Ji and Shen Pei together installed Yuan Shang as successor and devised strategies for him ^c:3800.
* Shen Pei (ally): In installing Yuan Shang and in the internal strife of the House of Yuan, Feng Ji and Shen Pei took the same position, jointly assisting Yuan Shang ^c:3800.
* Guo Tu, Xin Ping (rival): Feng Ji took a different stance from Guo Tu and Xin Ping on the question of Yuan Shao's successor, supporting Yuan Shang while they supported Yuan Tan, forming an opposition ^c:3800.

Iconic Scenes

* Advising Yuan Shao to seize Jizhou: Feng Ji advised Yuan Shao to use Gongsun Zan's attack on Jizhou as a pretext to seize Han Fu's territory, letting Yuan Shao take Jizhou without the slightest effort ^c:3797 (novel only).
* Strongly urging the decisive battle at Guandu: Before the Battle of Guandu, Feng Ji, Shen Pei, and others strongly urged Yuan Shao to march south and do battle with Cao Cao, and in the end Yuan Shao adopted their advice ^c:6454.
* Framing Tian Feng to his death: After the Battle of Guandu, Feng Ji slandered Tian Feng before Yuan Shao, falsely claiming that Tian Feng had mocked Yuan Shao's defeat from prison, directly leading Yuan Shao in his fury to put Tian Feng to death ^c:3799 (novel only).
* Installing Yuan Shang as heir: After Yuan Shao's death, Feng Ji and Shen Pei together installed Yuan Shang as successor, touching off the succession dispute within the House of Yuan ^c:3800.
* Executed by Yuan Tan: After Yuan Tan's plea to Yuan Shang for aid came to nothing, because Yuan Shang refused to send troops, Yuan Tan flew into a rage and had Feng Ji executed ^c:3801 (novel only).