Historical Record
Yin Feng's life and deeds are exceedingly scarce in the official records—indeed, one might say there is almost no clear historical material available for verification. In authoritative histories such as the Records of the Three Kingdoms, no independent biography or detailed account of Yin Feng is to be found. This suggests that Yin Feng's standing in history may not have been prominent, or that his sphere of activity and influence was limited and failed to attract the attention of historians to be recorded in detail. As for the historical facts about Yin Feng, we are therefore unable to obtain concrete information from the existing biographical materials—such as his native place, official posts, dates of birth and death, or any specific achievements or events. His existence is more that of a vague figure in the historical background than of an important person active center stage.
In the Novel
In the great literary work Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Yin Feng's appearances are likewise extremely limited, mentioned only once, in Chapter 64. In the novel, Yin Feng is portrayed as a general under Liu Zhang, the Governor of Yi Province. When Liu Bei's great army invaded Yi Province and reached the walls of Luocheng (present-day Guanghan, Sichuan), Liu Zhang dispatched Yin Feng together with Li Yan, Fei Guan, Wu Yi, and others to go out of the city and give battle. Yin Feng's performance in this campaign, however, was unremarkable—indeed, rather mediocre. He, along with Li Yan and the others, was defeated by Wei Yan and failed to effectively check the onslaught of Liu Bei's army. The novel's portrayal of Yin Feng is more as one component of the resisting force of Liu Zhang's faction than as a figure with independent decision-making ability or notable martial prowess. His appearance serves chiefly to set off the strength of Liu Bei's faction and the valor of generals such as Wei Yan. It is worth noting that this passage about Yin Feng in the novel has no clear counterpart in the historical sources; it belongs to the novelist's artistic creation, intended to enrich the plot and the gallery of characters.
Key Relationships
In the novel, Yin Feng's key relationships revolve mainly around Liu Zhang, the Governor of Yi Province. He is Liu Zhang's subordinate, charged with defending Yi Province for him. This lord-subject relationship is the fundamental reason for his existence in the novel. In addition, he, together with Li Yan, Fei Guan, and Wu Yi, was likewise a general under Liu Zhang, jointly bearing the responsibility of resisting Liu Bei's invasion. Among them formed a temporary military alliance, though this alliance ultimately failed. On the battlefield, Yin Feng stood in opposition to Wei Yan, a general of Liu Bei's army; Wei Yan was the key figure who defeated Yin Feng and his colleagues. (unique to the novel)
Signature Scenes
Yin Feng's signature scene in Romance of the Three Kingdoms is when he, together with Li Yan, Fei Guan, and Wu Yi, went out of the city to give battle to Liu Bei's army beneath the walls of Luocheng. In this campaign, facing the fierce onslaught of Liu Bei's great army, Yin Feng and the other generals were all defeated by Wei Yan. Though brief, this scene concentrates Yin Feng's role in the novel—a general of Liu Zhang who appears overmatched before a powerful enemy. He failed to turn the tide of battle and instead became a backdrop to Liu Bei's army advancing into Yi Province. This scene also indirectly reflects the military disadvantage of Liu Zhang's faction and the general sense of helplessness among his generals when facing Liu Bei's faction. (unique to the novel)
Portrait file
Character profile
- Character
- Yin Feng was a native of Hanyang who, together with Zhao Qu, Fu, Xu, and others, jointly plotted to campaign against Ma Chao. He served as a Colonel Commanding Troops and, alongside Zhao Ang, garrisoned Mount Qi.
- Anecdotes
- Yin Feng once served as Grand Administrator of Dunhuang, but his governance merely followed old precedents with no reform. Ma Chao once slaughtered the whole of Yin Feng's family, old and young alike. He was received by two hundred armored horsemen dispatched by Zhang Gong, and thereby gained his office.
Relationships
1 relationships
Enemies1
Chapters1 回 ▸
- 史ch.16
Life events3 ▸
- 0213-01-01 · LuchengYang Fu Raises Troops Against Ma Chao· Commander
- 0222-01-01 · ZhangyePacification of the Hexi Rebellion· Warrior
- 0229-01-01 · DunhuangCang Ci Governs Dunhuang· Witness