Tian Feng (simplified: 田丰, traditional: 田豐, pinyin: Tián Fēng), courtesy name Yuanhao (元皓 Yuánhào), was a strategist under Yuan Shao. He advised welcoming Emperor Xian to Ye (Yuan Shao did not act, and Cao Cao took the emperor instead). When Yuan Shao resolved to attack Cao Cao, Tian Feng urged a protracted war and raids rather than a single decisive campaign; Yuan Shao had him imprisoned for “damaging morale” (沮眾). When Cao Cao went east to attack Liu Bei in 200, Tian Feng (from prison) advised striking at Xu; Yuan Shao refused because his son was ill. After Yuan Shao’s defeat at the Battle of Guandu, someone said Tian Feng would rejoice; Yuan Shao, ashamed, had him executed. Xun Yu had predicted that “Tian Feng is stubborn and offends superiors” and that he would be executed—which came to pass. At the earlier battle of Jieqiao, when Gongsun Zan’s cavalry surrounded Yuan Shao, Tian Feng tried to pull him into a low wall for shelter; Yuan Shao refused and fought until relief came.
Biography
Advice on the emperor and strategy
Tian Feng served Yuan Shao as Chief Clerk (別駕) and adviser. He and Ju Shou (and in some accounts Xu You) advised welcoming the emperor when he escaped Li Jue and Guo Si; Yuan Shao did not act, and Cao Cao welcomed the emperor to Xuchang. When Yuan Shao decided to attack Cao Cao, Tian Feng argued for a long war and harassing raids rather than one great battle. Yuan Shao imprisoned him for damaging morale.
Guandu and execution
Before Guandu, when Cao Cao went to attack Liu Bei, Tian Feng advised from prison that Yuan Shao should strike at Xu Province; Yuan Shao refused. After the defeat at Guandu, Yuan Shao’s attendants said Tian Feng would be pleased that his advice had been right. Yuan Shao, unable to face him, had Tian Feng put to death. Contemporaries such as Xun Yu cited Tian Feng’s execution as an example of Yuan Shao’s inability to use good counsel.
Legacy
Tian Feng is remembered as the adviser whose strategy Yuan Shao rejected and who was then killed after the defeat he had warned against. His fate is often contrasted with Yuan Shao’s refusal to welcome the emperor and his failure at Guandu.