Feng Yi (Former Yan)

Feng Yi's family originated from Tiao County (蓨縣, in modern Hengshui, Hebei) in Bohai Commandery. His father was Feng Quan (封悛), and his grandfather was Feng Shi (封釋); both served as Jin officials. Feng Shi fell ill in 310, so he sent Feng Yi to meet the Grand Chanyu of the Xianbei, Murong Hui. Murong Hui was a rising power in Liaodong but also a loyal vassal of Jin. Hui was very impressed by Feng Yi through a conversation between the two and made Feng Yi a minor commander under him.^[1]

In 313, Feng Yi and his cousin Feng Yu (封裕)^[b] were one of the few people that Murong Hui entrusted in handling confidential affairs. Murong Hui also made Feng Yi an Army Libationer, and Feng would remain in these roles for more than 20 years.^[3]

Murong Hui died in 333 and was succeeded by his heir Murong Huang. Shortly after, Huang's younger brothers, Murong Zhao (慕容昭) and Murong Ren rebelled against him. After killing Zhao, Huang ordered Feng Yi to march to Liaodong to pacify the region. However, the other generals that Huang sent to defeat Ren were either captured, defeated, or surrendered to him. The official, Sun Ji (孫機) also ceded Xiangping (襄平, in modern Liaoyang, Liaoning) over to Ren. Feng Yi was unable to enter the region, so he retreated while Ren consolidated control over the peninsula.

The following year in 334, Feng Yi campaigned against the Xianbei leader, Mudi (木堤) at Bailang (白狼; near present-day Lingyuan, Liaoning) and killed him. Later that year, the leader of the Duan tribe, Duan Liao, sent his younger brother Duan Lan to attack Liucheng (柳城; southwest of present-day Chaoyang, Liaoning). Although their army was well-equipped, they were unable to get past Liucheng's defences. Murong Huang sent Murong Han (慕容汗; not to be confused with his more notable brother with a similar-sounding name (慕容翰)) and Feng Yi to reinforce the city. Han made the rash decision to rush into battle, so Feng Yi advised him to stop, but Han ignored him. As a result, Han was badly defeated by Duan Lan at Niuwei Valley (牛尾谷; north of Liucheng). However, Feng Yi was able to maintain a solid formation and minimize his own losses.

In 335, Feng Yi was made Murong Huang's Marshal of the Right. He was then sent to surprise attack one of the Yuwen tribe's leader, Yuwen Sheyi (宇文涉奕). Feng Yi captured many of Sheyi's soldiers before returning. Sheyi responded by sending his light cavalry against Feng Yi, but Feng defeated them at the Hun River.

Despite his early setbacks, Murong Huang was able to defeat and execute Murong Ren in early 336. However, he was still in conflict with the Duan and Yuwen tribes. In the summer of that year, Duan Lan marched his troops once more to Liucheng while the Yuwen chieftain, Yuwen Yidougui attacked Anjin (安晉) to support him. Huang marched to Liucheng and then to Anjin, and in both cases, the enemies retreated without a fight. Feng Yi pursued and heavily routed them while seizing their equipment and grains. Huang suspected that his enemies were not content with their results and would return soon, so he had Feng Yi prepare an ambush at Mount Madou (馬兜山) in Liucheng. Surely enough, Duan Liao led his troops to attack Liucheng again but Feng Yi ambushed him from two sides and defeated him, even killing his general Rong Bobao (榮伯保).^[4]

Soon, Feng Yi launched a successful campaign against the Yuwen tribe. In 337, Murong Huang made Feng Yi his Chief Clerk. In November, Feng Yi and a number of ministers pushed Murong Huang to claim the title of Prince of Yan. Huang agreed, and on the 23 November, he declared himself Prince of Yan, and appointed Feng Yi the Chancellor of the State. Feng was also given the title of Duke of Wuping.^[5]

In 338, the ruler of Later Zhao, Shi Hu, attacked Yan and placed its capital Jicheng (棘城, in modern Jinzhou, Liaoning) under siege following the breakdown of their alliance against the Duan tribe. Huang was frightened and wanted to flee but was persuaded by his general Muyu Gen not to. He was still unsure of victory, however, so he consulted Feng Yi. Feng told him that Shi Hu would not last long. He pointed out that the campaign had been costly for Shi Hu and that the Zhao army were already worn down due to the long distance that they had travelled. He was confident that strife will grow in a matter of days within Shi Hu's camp, so the best course of action was to wait. Huang was assured by this and remained in Jicheng.^[6] After days of fierce fighting, the Zhao soldiers eventually retreated, Huang's son Murong Ke pursued and dealt them a heavy defeat.